🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 50 (from laksa130)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa050.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.verywellhealth.com/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.verywellhealth.com/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481","crawl_time":1776335183,"first_indexed_time":1567093275,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,verywellhealth!www,\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481 s443","src_root_hash":"5681562863987870850","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Should You Be Concerned About Your Fatigue?","meta_descriptions":["Explore the causes of fatigue, its symptoms, and treatments. Find out how to boost energy and improve your well-being."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Key Takeaways\nFatigue is a common symptom that can affect your physical and mental health and can often be resolved with rest or reduced activity.\nMany illnesses and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, but strategies like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet may help to manage symptoms.\nChronic fatigue lasts six months or more and impacts daily life, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider.\nFatigue is a feeling of intense exhaustion and lack of motivation that doesn't simply disappear with a good night's rest. Many health conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both.\nIt's essential to determine the cause of your fatigue to receive effective treatment. \nVerywell \/ Lara Antal\nWhat Does Fatigue Feel Like?\nA 2019 report in the journal\nBiological Research for Nursing\ndefines fatigue as an “overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained” exhaustion that makes it harder to carry out activities and function.\nFamily physicians note that at least 20% of patients and up to 35% of adolescents report fatigue at least four days a week.\nMen and women will describe fatigue differently. For example, men may say they are feeling tired, whereas\nwomen may link their fatigue\nto anxiety or depression.\nPeople may also describe fatigue as feeling exhausted, weary, listless, or rundown.\nPeople with fatigue often experience:\nLack of motivation or the ability to start activities\nGetting tired easily\nExperiencing mental fatigue or problems with concentration or memory\nOften, fatigue is a symptom with a gradual onset, meaning it comes on slowly and gets worse with time. Most people who experience fatigue may not be aware early on how much energy they are losing. They can only determine this when they try to compare their ability to perform tasks from one time frame to another.\nFurther, they may think fatigue is a common symptom—due to aging, being busy or overworked, not getting enough sleep, or a combination of all of these—and ignore the symptom. \nDon't ignore fatigue or delay seeking out medical care to determine the source of your fatigue. Your healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and improve your quality of life.\nCommon Symptoms\nThough fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition, it can cause mental and physical symptoms, such as:\nWeakness\nLack of energy\nConstant tiredness or exhaustion\nLack of motivation\nDifficulty with concentration\nTrouble starting and completing tasks\nAdditional Symptoms\nFatigue is generally not a lone symptom. With it usually come other symptoms that can help your healthcare provider to determine the cause or causes of your fatigue.\nAdditional symptoms that may accompany fatigue include:\nHeadache\nDizziness\nSore or aching muscles\nMuscle weakness\nSlowed reflexes\nImpaired judgment\nMoodiness and irritability\nLoss of appetite \nImpaired coordination (affecting activities such as driving)\nWeakened immune function\nAttention and memory issues\nBlurry vision\nChronic Fatigue Syndrome\nFatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life.\nA diagnosis of\nchronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)\nis made if a person has experienced chronic and ongoing fatigue for six months or more with no known cause, that is not improved with sleep or rest, and that gets worse with physical or mental activity.\nSymptoms of CFS can affect different parts of the body and may include unrefreshing sleep, weakness of muscles or joints, problems with memory and concentration, and headaches. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may come and go or last for weeks or months at a time. They can come on gradually or suddenly.\nFactors That Contribute to Fatigue\nMany factors can cause fatigue. It's a possible symptom of most medical illnesses.\nChronic and severe fatigue can stem from medical issues, lifestyle choices, or stress (both work-related and emotional).\nNormal fatigue—that is, fatigue that occurs from mental or physical exertion—is not unusual. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic (long-lasting) or severe.\nMedical\nMedical causes of fatigue may cause unrelenting exhaustion with additional symptoms. There are a number of diseases that trigger fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing long periods of fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the root cause.\nThe medical causes of fatigue can be classified under broad disease categories. Some of these disease categories include:\nMetabolic\/endocrine\n: Conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or liver or kidney disease\nInfections\n: Influenza, tuberculosis, or malaria\nCardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs)\n: Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias, and asthma\nSleep problems\n: Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome\nVitamin deficiencies\n: Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or iron deficiency\nOther conditions\n:\nCancers\nand rheumatic\/autoimmune diseases\nMedications\nyou are taking to treat other health conditions may also cause fatigue. This can include anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, sedative medication, some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and steroids.\nLifestyle\nLifestyle causes include:\nSleep disturbances\n: If you are not getting enough sleep, too much sleep, or waking up during the night, you may experience daytime fatigue.\nDiet\n: If you are eating a lot of high-carb, high-fat, or quick-fix foods, sugary foods and drinks, or caffeinated drinks, you are not providing your body enough fuel or nutrients to function at its best. Moreover, these foods may cause you to experience energy boosts that quickly wear off, leading to a \"crash\" and worsening fatigue.\nAlcohol and drugs\n: Alcohol is a depressant that will slow down the nervous system and disturb sleep. Cigarettes and caffeine will stimulate the nervous system and cause you trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep.\nLack of regular activity\n: Physical activity is known for improving your health and well-being, reducing stress, and improving your energy levels. It will also help you sleep better and reduce daytime fatigue.\nIndividual factors\n: Personal or family illness or injury, having too many commitments, and financial problems can cause a person to feel fatigued.\nMental Health\nA loss of energy may be related to mental health problems such as:\nDepression\nAnxiety\nGrief\nThese conditions exhaust the body physically and emotionally and cause severe fatigue to set in.\nWorkplace-Related Fatigue\nNight shift workers may experience daytime fatigue as it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is designed for nighttime sleep.\nPoor workplace practices that can also contribute to fatigue include:\nIrregular working hours\nPhysical labor\nLong hours\nNoisy workplaces\nFixed concentration\nRepetitive tasks\nFatigue may also be caused by the following workplace stressors:\nHeavy workload\nConflict with bosses or coworkers\nWorkplace bullying\nThreats to job security\nHow Healthcare Providers Diagnose Fatigue\nFatigue presents with a range of symptoms and is often caused by several different factors working in combination. That makes finding a diagnosis more difficult. Therefore, your healthcare provider will try to determine what is causing fatigue using a number of tests, including the following:\nMedical history\n: Your healthcare provider will ask about recent stressful (good and bad) events in your life, such as the birth of a child, surgery, work stress and family problems, or other symptoms you have experienced in addition to fatigue.\nPhysical exam\n: A physical exam will help your practitioner check for signs of disease. Your medical professional may also ask about your current diet and lifestyle.\nTesting\n: Tests can include blood work, urine screens, X-rays, and other imaging. Your healthcare provider will want to rule out physical causes.\nWhen to See a Healthcare Provider\nYou should see your healthcare provider if your fatigue:\nHas come on suddenly and is not the result of normal short-term physical or mental stress   \nIs not relieved by rest, sleep, or the removal of stressors\nHas become severe or chronic\nIs accompanied by other unexplained symptoms\nAssociated with weakness,\nfainting, or near fainting\nIs accompanied by unexplained weight loss, masses or lumps anywhere on the body,\nfever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)\n, abnormal bleeding, and\/or unexplained pain anywhere in the body\nSigns of a Medical Emergency\nGo to your local hospital emergency department if you experience the following symptoms, with or without fatigue:\nFainting\nChest pain\nShortness of breath\nBleeding (e.g., vomiting blood or rectal bleeding)\nSevere abdominal, pelvic, or back pain\nSevere headache\nIrregular or fast heart rate\nEffective Ways to Combat Fatigue\nTreatment for fatigue depends on the causes. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, diet, exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, using drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess.\nFortunately, many of the causes of fatigue are treatable. For example, anemia can be treated with iron supplements, sleep apnea can be treated with medicine and CPAP machines, medications can maintain blood sugar and blood pressure, antibiotics can treat infections, and vitamins can regulate vitamin deficiencies.\nThere are also several things you can do to lessen fatigue caused by daily activity and boost energy levels and overall health. These include:\nStaying hydrated\nEating healthy foods\nExercising regularly\nGetting enough sleep\nAvoiding known stressors\nAvoiding over-demanding work and social schedules\nPracticing relaxation activities, such as yoga\nYou should also check with your healthcare provider for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.\nLifestyle changes help ease fatigue, but it is also important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan for any diagnosed medical condition. Left untreated, fatigue can negatively affect your physical and mental health.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#skip-to-content)\n\nMenu\n\n- [Health A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-a-z-4014770)\n  - 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[Lipid Test Analyzer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/lipid-test-analyzer-8647856)\n  - [Complete Blood Count (CBC) Analyzer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/complete-blood-count-cbc-analyzer-8647862)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/about-us-5180305)\n  - [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/verywell-editorial-process-4777042)\n  - [Meet Our Medical Expert Board](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/meet-our-medical-expert-board-11762003)\n\nSearch\n\n- [Health A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-a-z-4014770)\n  - [Colorectal Cancer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/colon-cancer-4014742)\n  - [Arthritis](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/arthritis-overview-4582013)\n  - [Type 2 Diabetes](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/type-2-diabetes-overview-4581874)\n  - [Digestive Health](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/digestive-health-4141198)\n  - [Multiple Sclerosis](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/multiple-sclerosis-overview-4581925)\n  - [Skin Health](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/skin-health-4014649)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-a-z-4014770)\n- [Prevention & Treatment](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/prevention-and-treatment-4158390)\n  - [Diet & Nutrition](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/nutrition-diet-and-healthy-eating-5202128)\n  - [First Aid](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/first-aid-4014723)\n  - [Surgery](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/surgery-overview-4581881)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/prevention-and-treatment-4158390)\n- [Health Care](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-care-4014769)\n  - [Health Insurance](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-insurance-overview-4581967)\n  - [Public Health](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/public-health-4158386)\n  - [Patient Rights](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/patient-rights-4014673)\n  - [Disability](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/disability-4014735)\n  - [Caregivers & Loved Ones](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/for-caregivers-and-loved-ones-4014749)\n  - [End of Life Concerns](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/end-of-life-overview-4581973)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-care-4014769)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/news-4846412)\n  - [Health News](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-news-4844929)\n  - [Studies & Guidelines](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/studies-and-guidelines-11869035)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/news-4846412)\n\n[More in CFS & Fibromyalgia](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-4014724)\n\n- [Symptoms](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-symptoms-4158463)\n- [Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-diagnosis-4158461)\n- [Integrative Therapies](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-integrative-therapies-4013482)\n- [Causes & Risk Factors](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-causes-4158462)\n- [Treatment](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-treatment-4014159)\n- [Living With](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-living-with-4158460)\n- [Support & Coping](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-support-and-coping-4014160)\n- [Fibromyalgia](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/understanding-fibromyalgia-4014067)\n- [Understanding CFS](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459)\n- [Related Conditions](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-related-conditions-4013729)\n\n[View More](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-4014724)\n\nTools & Resources\n\n- [Thyroid Test Analyzer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thyroid-test-analyzer-8647820)\n- [Doctor Discussion Guides](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/doctor-discussion-guides-4179090)\n- [Hemoglobin A1c Test Analyzer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/a1c-test-analyzer-8647852)\n- [Lipid Test Analyzer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/lipid-test-analyzer-8647856)\n- [Complete Blood Count (CBC) Analyzer](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/complete-blood-count-cbc-analyzer-8647862)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/about-us-5180305)\n- [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/verywell-editorial-process-4777042)\n- [Medical Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/meet-our-medical-expert-board-11762003)\n\nVerywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.\n\nⒸ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved\n\n# Should You Be Concerned About Your Fatigue?\nBy [Lana Barhum](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/lana-barhum-4173343)\n\nUpdated on November 03, 2025\n\nMedically reviewed by  [Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/isaac-opole-md-phd-4774747)\n\nTable of Contents\n\nView All\n\nTable of Contents\n\n- [Symptoms](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-what-does-fatigue-feel-like)\n- [Factors That Contribute to Fatigue](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-factors-that-contribute-to-fatigue)\n- [Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-how-healthcare-providers-diagnose-fatigue)\n- [Treatment](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-effective-ways-to-combat-fatigue)\n\n### Key Takeaways\n- Fatigue is a common symptom that can affect your physical and mental health and can often be resolved with rest or reduced activity.\n- Many illnesses and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, but strategies like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet may help to manage symptoms.\n- Chronic fatigue lasts six months or more and impacts daily life, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider.\n\nFatigue is a feeling of intense exhaustion and lack of motivation that doesn't simply disappear with a good night's rest. Many health conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. It's essential to determine the cause of your fatigue to receive effective treatment.\n\n![tips for treating fatigue]()\n\n![tips for treating fatigue](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/cFtTbzh7z5YytHuogjvJghtEWjI=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481-v1-739a8adb0d6643efb6159799ebff84a9.jpg)\n\nVerywell \/ Lara Antal\n## What Does Fatigue Feel Like?\nA 2019 report in the journal *Biological Research for Nursing* defines fatigue as an “overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained” exhaustion that makes it harder to carry out activities and function. Family physicians note that at least 20% of patients and up to 35% of adolescents report fatigue at least four days a week.\n\nMen and women will describe fatigue differently. For example, men may say they are feeling tired, whereas [women may link their fatigue](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/why-am-i-so-tired-and-have-no-energy-female-7749984) to anxiety or depression. People may also describe fatigue as feeling exhausted, weary, listless, or rundown.\n\nPeople with fatigue often experience:\n\n- Lack of motivation or the ability to start activities\n- Getting tired easily\n- Experiencing mental fatigue or problems with concentration or memory\n\nOften, fatigue is a symptom with a gradual onset, meaning it comes on slowly and gets worse with time. Most people who experience fatigue may not be aware early on how much energy they are losing. They can only determine this when they try to compare their ability to perform tasks from one time frame to another.\n\nFurther, they may think fatigue is a common symptom—due to aging, being busy or overworked, not getting enough sleep, or a combination of all of these—and ignore the symptom.\n\nDon't ignore fatigue or delay seeking out medical care to determine the source of your fatigue. Your healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and improve your quality of life.\n\n### Common Symptoms\nThough fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition, it can cause mental and physical symptoms, such as:\n\n- Weakness\n- Lack of energy\n- Constant tiredness or exhaustion\n- Lack of motivation\n- Difficulty with concentration\n- Trouble starting and completing tasks\n### Additional Symptoms\nFatigue is generally not a lone symptom. With it usually come other symptoms that can help your healthcare provider to determine the cause or causes of your fatigue.\n\nAdditional symptoms that may accompany fatigue include:\n\n- [Headache](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/headache-from-lack-of-sleep-5218116)\n- Dizziness\n- Sore or aching muscles\n- Muscle weakness\n- Slowed reflexes\n- Impaired judgment\n- Moodiness and irritability\n- Loss of appetite\n- Impaired coordination (affecting activities such as driving)\n- Weakened immune function\n- Attention and memory issues\n- Blurry vision\n### Chronic Fatigue Syndrome\nFatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life.\n\nA diagnosis of [chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459) is made if a person has experienced chronic and ongoing fatigue for six months or more with no known cause, that is not improved with sleep or rest, and that gets worse with physical or mental activity.\n\nSymptoms of CFS can affect different parts of the body and may include unrefreshing sleep, weakness of muscles or joints, problems with memory and concentration, and headaches. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may come and go or last for weeks or months at a time. They can come on gradually or suddenly.\n\n## Factors That Contribute to Fatigue\nMany factors can cause fatigue. It's a possible symptom of most medical illnesses.\n\nChronic and severe fatigue can stem from medical issues, lifestyle choices, or stress (both work-related and emotional).\n\nNormal fatigue—that is, fatigue that occurs from mental or physical exertion—is not unusual. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic (long-lasting) or severe.\n\n### Medical\nMedical causes of fatigue may cause unrelenting exhaustion with additional symptoms. There are a number of diseases that trigger fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing long periods of fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the root cause.\n\nThe medical causes of fatigue can be classified under broad disease categories. Some of these disease categories include:\n\n- [**Metabolic\/endocrine**](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/what-do-hormones-do-8753246): Conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or liver or kidney disease\n- [**Infections**](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/bacteria-8684504): Influenza, tuberculosis, or malaria\n- **Cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs)**: Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias, and asthma\n- **Sleep problems**: Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome\n- [**Vitamin deficiencies**](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/vitamin-deficiency-3014720): Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or iron deficiency\n- **Other conditions**: [Cancers](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/can-i-drink-energy-drinks-to-fight-cancer-fatigue-513983) and rheumatic\/autoimmune diseases\n- **Medications** you are taking to treat other health conditions may also cause fatigue. This can include anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, sedative medication, some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and steroids.\n### Lifestyle\nLifestyle causes include:\n\n- **Sleep disturbances**: If you are not getting enough sleep, too much sleep, or waking up during the night, you may experience daytime fatigue.\n- **Diet**: If you are eating a lot of high-carb, high-fat, or quick-fix foods, sugary foods and drinks, or caffeinated drinks, you are not providing your body enough fuel or nutrients to function at its best. Moreover, these foods may cause you to experience energy boosts that quickly wear off, leading to a \"crash\" and worsening fatigue.\n- **Alcohol and drugs**: Alcohol is a depressant that will slow down the nervous system and disturb sleep. Cigarettes and caffeine will stimulate the nervous system and cause you trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep.\n- **Lack of regular activity**: Physical activity is known for improving your health and well-being, reducing stress, and improving your energy levels. It will also help you sleep better and reduce daytime fatigue.\n- **Individual factors**: Personal or family illness or injury, having too many commitments, and financial problems can cause a person to feel fatigued.\n### Mental Health\nA loss of energy may be related to mental health problems such as:\n\n- [Depression](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/what-are-the-physical-effects-of-sleep-deprivation-3015079)\n- Anxiety\n- Grief\n\nThese conditions exhaust the body physically and emotionally and cause severe fatigue to set in.\n\n### Workplace-Related Fatigue\nNight shift workers may experience daytime fatigue as it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is designed for nighttime sleep.\n\nPoor workplace practices that can also contribute to fatigue include:\n\n- Irregular working hours\n- Physical labor\n- Long hours\n- Noisy workplaces\n- Fixed concentration\n- Repetitive tasks\n\nFatigue may also be caused by the following workplace stressors:\n\n- Heavy workload\n- Conflict with bosses or coworkers\n- Workplace bullying\n- Threats to job security\n## How Healthcare Providers Diagnose Fatigue\nFatigue presents with a range of symptoms and is often caused by several different factors working in combination. That makes finding a diagnosis more difficult. Therefore, your healthcare provider will try to determine what is causing fatigue using a number of tests, including the following:\n\n**Medical history**: Your healthcare provider will ask about recent stressful (good and bad) events in your life, such as the birth of a child, surgery, work stress and family problems, or other symptoms you have experienced in addition to fatigue.\n\n**Physical exam**: A physical exam will help your practitioner check for signs of disease. Your medical professional may also ask about your current diet and lifestyle.\n\n**Testing**: Tests can include blood work, urine screens, X-rays, and other imaging. Your healthcare provider will want to rule out physical causes.\n\n### When to See a Healthcare Provider\nYou should see your healthcare provider if your fatigue:\n\n- Has come on suddenly and is not the result of normal short-term physical or mental stress\n- Is not relieved by rest, sleep, or the removal of stressors\n- Has become severe or chronic\n- Is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms\n- Associated with weakness, [fainting, or near fainting](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/causes-of-fainting-1298399)\n- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, masses or lumps anywhere on the body, [fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fever-8685009), abnormal bleeding, and\/or unexplained pain anywhere in the body\n\n### Signs of a Medical Emergency\nGo to your local hospital emergency department if you experience the following symptoms, with or without fatigue:\n\n- Fainting\n- Chest pain\n- Shortness of breath\n- Bleeding (e.g., vomiting blood or rectal bleeding)\n- Severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain\n- Severe headache\n- Irregular or fast heart rate\n## Effective Ways to Combat Fatigue\nTreatment for fatigue depends on the causes. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, diet, exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, using drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess.\n\nFortunately, many of the causes of fatigue are treatable. For example, anemia can be treated with iron supplements, sleep apnea can be treated with medicine and CPAP machines, medications can maintain blood sugar and blood pressure, antibiotics can treat infections, and vitamins can regulate vitamin deficiencies.\n\nThere are also several things you can do to lessen fatigue caused by daily activity and boost energy levels and overall health. These include:\n\n- Staying hydrated\n- Eating healthy foods\n- Exercising regularly\n- Getting enough sleep\n- Avoiding known stressors\n- Avoiding over-demanding work and social schedules\n- Practicing relaxation activities, such as yoga\n\nYou should also check with your healthcare provider for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.\n\nLifestyle changes help ease fatigue, but it is also important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan for any diagnosed medical condition. Left untreated, fatigue can negatively affect your physical and mental health.\n\nRead more:\n\n- [Health A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-a-z-4014770)\n- [CFS & Fibromyalgia](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-4014724)\n- [Symptoms](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-symptoms-4158463)\n\n7 Sources\n\nVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/verywell-editorial-process-4777042) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.\n\n1. MedlinePlus. [Fatigue](https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/003088.htm).\n2. Matura LA, Malone S, Jamie-Lara R, et al. [A systematic review of biological mechanisms of fatigue in chronic illness](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1099800418764326). *Biol Res Nurs.* 2018 Jul;20(4): 410–421. doi:10.1177\/1099800418764326\n3. Rothenthal TC, Majeroni BA, Pretorius R, et al. [Fatigue: an overview](https:\/\/www.aafp.org\/pubs\/afp\/issues\/2008\/1115\/p1173.html). *Am Fam Physician*; 78(10):1173-1179.\n4. Office of Women’s Health. [Chronic fatigue syndrome](https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/a-z-topics\/chronic-fatigue-syndrome).\n5. Hui Ho D, Zheng R. [Approach to fatigue in primary care](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/SINGAPOREMEDJ.SMJ-2021-118). *Singapore Med J*. 2022;63(11):674. doi:10.4103\/SINGAPOREMEDJ.SMJ-2021-118\n6. Stadje R, Dorniden K, Becker A, et al. [The differential diagnosis of tiredness: a systematic review](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12875-016-0545-5). *BMC Fam Pract.* 2016;17:147. doi:10.1186\/s12875-016-0545-5\n7. Caldwell JA, Caldwell JL, Thompson LA, Lieberman HR. [Fatigue and its management in the workplace](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2018.10.024). *Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews*. 2019;96:272-289. doi:10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2018.10.024\n\n![Lana Barhum]()\n\n![Lana Barhum](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/twHBb6cUGJ6KlJkTIesDcXMZ_hU=\/144x144\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/lana-barhum-d731df9d86514add9c6e1bd5aa2d7233.jpg)\n\nBy [Lana Barhum](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/lana-barhum-4173343)   \n Barhum is a medical writer with 15 years of experience with a focus on living and coping with chronic diseases.\n\n[See Our Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/verywell-editorial-process-4777042)\n\n[Meet Our Medical Expert Board](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/meet-our-medical-expert-board-11762003)\n\nShare Feedback\n\nWas this page helpful?\n\nThanks for your feedback\\!\n\nWhat is your feedback?\n\nHelpful\n\nReport an Error\n\nOther\n\nRelated Articles\n\n[![ woman 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Malate](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/1DNBtsa0fGrAP6DzUQODt7Ni9sI=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/VWH-GettyImages-2152461806-f8209caa807d43408dac142ae4e1c374.jpg) Ways Magnesium Malate Could Improve Your Health](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/magnesium-malate-715798)\n\n[![woman getting dressed]() ![woman getting dressed](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/84iLLMNy0N2tcHsAudVlSxt4xcc=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/clothing-pain-56a150265f9b58b7d0be29c7.jpg) Fibromyalgia Pain From Clothing](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fibromyalgia-clothing-pain-715962)\n\n[![Older woman complaining of chest pain]() ![Older woman complaining of chest pain](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/hJEjKWRC7h2mzMIVesdRwtlJaPw=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/iStock-518527668-58ed48fa3df78cd3fc0f5142.jpg) Fibromyalgia Chest Pain](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/costochondritis-in-fibromyalgia-716178)\n\n[![Close up of sweat on a woman's face]() ![Close up of sweat on a woman's face](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/sPPjxTBJ7-bxqFvIkkK0pJFDH0U=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/GettyImages-1004440872-b559c02cd4e14582bb66b9389a55d745.jpg) Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and Excessive Sweating](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/excessive-sweating-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-p2-716008)\n\n[![woman in the shower]() ![woman in the shower](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/Hg4bCRcttIRL8hg7HRuACf8VD7s=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/shower-56a14ff03df78cf772698417.jpg) How Showering Can Worsen Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and ME\/CFS](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/problems-showering-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-3973041)\n\n[![woman grocery shopping]() ![woman grocery shopping](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thmb\/4RuMyt_vtrC5KkDCV3fzSIUTJzQ=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/wheelchairgrocery-56b7e0d05f9b5829f83c900a.jpg) Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Mobility Aids](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/mobility-aids-with-fibromyalgia-3972938)\n\n- [Health A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-a-z-4014770)\n- [Prevention & Treatment](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/prevention-and-treatment-4158390)\n- [Health Care](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/health-care-4014769)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/news-4846412)\n\n- [Meet Our Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/meet-our-medical-expert-board-11762003)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/about-us-5180305)\n- [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/verywell-editorial-process-4777042)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-privacy)\n- [In the News](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/in-the-news-4778971)\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/advertising)\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-termsofservice)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/careers)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/about-us-5180305#toc-contact-us)\n\nFollow Us\n\nVerywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.\n\nⒸ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved\n\nVerywell Health is part of the [People Inc.](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/) publishing family.","attrs_readable_markdown":"### Key Takeaways\n- Fatigue is a common symptom that can affect your physical and mental health and can often be resolved with rest or reduced activity.\n- Many illnesses and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, but strategies like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet may help to manage symptoms.\n- Chronic fatigue lasts six months or more and impacts daily life, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider.\n\nFatigue is a feeling of intense exhaustion and lack of motivation that doesn't simply disappear with a good night's rest. Many health conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. It's essential to determine the cause of your fatigue to receive effective treatment.\n\nVerywell \/ Lara Antal\n\n## What Does Fatigue Feel Like?\nA 2019 report in the journal *Biological Research for Nursing* defines fatigue as an “overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained” exhaustion that makes it harder to carry out activities and function. Family physicians note that at least 20% of patients and up to 35% of adolescents report fatigue at least four days a week.\n\nMen and women will describe fatigue differently. For example, men may say they are feeling tired, whereas [women may link their fatigue](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/why-am-i-so-tired-and-have-no-energy-female-7749984) to anxiety or depression. People may also describe fatigue as feeling exhausted, weary, listless, or rundown.\n\nPeople with fatigue often experience:\n\n- Lack of motivation or the ability to start activities\n- Getting tired easily\n- Experiencing mental fatigue or problems with concentration or memory\n\nOften, fatigue is a symptom with a gradual onset, meaning it comes on slowly and gets worse with time. Most people who experience fatigue may not be aware early on how much energy they are losing. They can only determine this when they try to compare their ability to perform tasks from one time frame to another.\n\nFurther, they may think fatigue is a common symptom—due to aging, being busy or overworked, not getting enough sleep, or a combination of all of these—and ignore the symptom.\n\nDon't ignore fatigue or delay seeking out medical care to determine the source of your fatigue. Your healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and improve your quality of life.\n\n### Common Symptoms\nThough fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition, it can cause mental and physical symptoms, such as:\n\n- Weakness\n- Lack of energy\n- Constant tiredness or exhaustion\n- Lack of motivation\n- Difficulty with concentration\n- Trouble starting and completing tasks\n### Additional Symptoms\nFatigue is generally not a lone symptom. With it usually come other symptoms that can help your healthcare provider to determine the cause or causes of your fatigue.\n\nAdditional symptoms that may accompany fatigue include:\n\n- [Headache](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/headache-from-lack-of-sleep-5218116)\n- Dizziness\n- Sore or aching muscles\n- Muscle weakness\n- Slowed reflexes\n- Impaired judgment\n- Moodiness and irritability\n- Loss of appetite\n- Impaired coordination (affecting activities such as driving)\n- Weakened immune function\n- Attention and memory issues\n- Blurry vision\n### Chronic Fatigue Syndrome\nFatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life.\n\nA diagnosis of [chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459) is made if a person has experienced chronic and ongoing fatigue for six months or more with no known cause, that is not improved with sleep or rest, and that gets worse with physical or mental activity.\n\nSymptoms of CFS can affect different parts of the body and may include unrefreshing sleep, weakness of muscles or joints, problems with memory and concentration, and headaches. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may come and go or last for weeks or months at a time. They can come on gradually or suddenly.\n\n## Factors That Contribute to Fatigue\nMany factors can cause fatigue. It's a possible symptom of most medical illnesses.\n\nChronic and severe fatigue can stem from medical issues, lifestyle choices, or stress (both work-related and emotional).\n\nNormal fatigue—that is, fatigue that occurs from mental or physical exertion—is not unusual. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic (long-lasting) or severe.\n\n### Medical\nMedical causes of fatigue may cause unrelenting exhaustion with additional symptoms. There are a number of diseases that trigger fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing long periods of fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the root cause.\n\nThe medical causes of fatigue can be classified under broad disease categories. Some of these disease categories include:\n\n- [**Metabolic\/endocrine**](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/what-do-hormones-do-8753246): Conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or liver or kidney disease\n- [**Infections**](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/bacteria-8684504): Influenza, tuberculosis, or malaria\n- **Cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs)**: Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias, and asthma\n- **Sleep problems**: Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome\n- [**Vitamin deficiencies**](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/vitamin-deficiency-3014720): Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or iron deficiency\n- **Other conditions**: [Cancers](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/can-i-drink-energy-drinks-to-fight-cancer-fatigue-513983) and rheumatic\/autoimmune diseases\n- **Medications** you are taking to treat other health conditions may also cause fatigue. This can include anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, sedative medication, some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and steroids.\n### Lifestyle\nLifestyle causes include:\n\n- **Sleep disturbances**: If you are not getting enough sleep, too much sleep, or waking up during the night, you may experience daytime fatigue.\n- **Diet**: If you are eating a lot of high-carb, high-fat, or quick-fix foods, sugary foods and drinks, or caffeinated drinks, you are not providing your body enough fuel or nutrients to function at its best. Moreover, these foods may cause you to experience energy boosts that quickly wear off, leading to a \"crash\" and worsening fatigue.\n- **Alcohol and drugs**: Alcohol is a depressant that will slow down the nervous system and disturb sleep. Cigarettes and caffeine will stimulate the nervous system and cause you trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep.\n- **Lack of regular activity**: Physical activity is known for improving your health and well-being, reducing stress, and improving your energy levels. It will also help you sleep better and reduce daytime fatigue.\n- **Individual factors**: Personal or family illness or injury, having too many commitments, and financial problems can cause a person to feel fatigued.\n### Mental Health\nA loss of energy may be related to mental health problems such as:\n\n- [Depression](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/what-are-the-physical-effects-of-sleep-deprivation-3015079)\n- Anxiety\n- Grief\n\nThese conditions exhaust the body physically and emotionally and cause severe fatigue to set in.\n\n### Workplace-Related Fatigue\nNight shift workers may experience daytime fatigue as it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is designed for nighttime sleep.\n\nPoor workplace practices that can also contribute to fatigue include:\n\n- Irregular working hours\n- Physical labor\n- Long hours\n- Noisy workplaces\n- Fixed concentration\n- Repetitive tasks\n\nFatigue may also be caused by the following workplace stressors:\n\n- Heavy workload\n- Conflict with bosses or coworkers\n- Workplace bullying\n- Threats to job security\n## How Healthcare Providers Diagnose Fatigue\nFatigue presents with a range of symptoms and is often caused by several different factors working in combination. That makes finding a diagnosis more difficult. Therefore, your healthcare provider will try to determine what is causing fatigue using a number of tests, including the following:\n\n**Medical history**: Your healthcare provider will ask about recent stressful (good and bad) events in your life, such as the birth of a child, surgery, work stress and family problems, or other symptoms you have experienced in addition to fatigue.\n\n**Physical exam**: A physical exam will help your practitioner check for signs of disease. Your medical professional may also ask about your current diet and lifestyle.\n\n**Testing**: Tests can include blood work, urine screens, X-rays, and other imaging. Your healthcare provider will want to rule out physical causes.\n\n### When to See a Healthcare Provider\nYou should see your healthcare provider if your fatigue:\n\n- Has come on suddenly and is not the result of normal short-term physical or mental stress\n- Is not relieved by rest, sleep, or the removal of stressors\n- Has become severe or chronic\n- Is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms\n- Associated with weakness, [fainting, or near fainting](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/causes-of-fainting-1298399)\n- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, masses or lumps anywhere on the body, [fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)](https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/fever-8685009), abnormal bleeding, and\/or unexplained pain anywhere in the body\n\n### Signs of a Medical Emergency\nGo to your local hospital emergency department if you experience the following symptoms, with or without fatigue:\n\n- Fainting\n- Chest pain\n- Shortness of breath\n- Bleeding (e.g., vomiting blood or rectal bleeding)\n- Severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain\n- Severe headache\n- Irregular or fast heart rate\n## Effective Ways to Combat Fatigue\nTreatment for fatigue depends on the causes. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, diet, exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, using drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess.\n\nFortunately, many of the causes of fatigue are treatable. For example, anemia can be treated with iron supplements, sleep apnea can be treated with medicine and CPAP machines, medications can maintain blood sugar and blood pressure, antibiotics can treat infections, and vitamins can regulate vitamin deficiencies.\n\nThere are also several things you can do to lessen fatigue caused by daily activity and boost energy levels and overall health. These include:\n\n- Staying hydrated\n- Eating healthy foods\n- Exercising regularly\n- Getting enough sleep\n- Avoiding known stressors\n- Avoiding over-demanding work and social schedules\n- Practicing relaxation activities, such as yoga\n\nYou should also check with your healthcare provider for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.\n\nLifestyle changes help ease fatigue, but it is also important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan for any diagnosed medical condition. Left untreated, fatigue can negatively affect your physical and mental health.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Key Takeaways Fatigue is a common symptom that can affect your physical and mental health and can often be resolved with rest or reduced activity. Many illnesses and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, but strategies like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet may help to manage symptoms. Chronic fatigue lasts six months or more and impacts daily life, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider. Fatigue is a feeling of intense exhaustion and lack of motivation that doesn't simply disappear with a good night's rest. Many health conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. It's essential to determine the cause of your fatigue to receive effective treatment. Verywell / Lara Antal What Does Fatigue Feel Like? A 2019 report in the journal Biological Research for Nursing defines fatigue as an “overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained” exhaustion that makes it harder to carry out activities and function. Family physicians note that at least 20% of patients and up to 35% of adolescents report fatigue at least four days a week. Men and women will describe fatigue differently. For example, men may say they are feeling tired, whereas women may link their fatigue to anxiety or depression. People may also describe fatigue as feeling exhausted, weary, listless, or rundown. People with fatigue often experience: Lack of motivation or the ability to start activities Getting tired easily Experiencing mental fatigue or problems with concentration or memory Often, fatigue is a symptom with a gradual onset, meaning it comes on slowly and gets worse with time. Most people who experience fatigue may not be aware early on how much energy they are losing. They can only determine this when they try to compare their ability to perform tasks from one time frame to another. Further, they may think fatigue is a common symptom—due to aging, being busy or overworked, not getting enough sleep, or a combination of all of these—and ignore the symptom. Don't ignore fatigue or delay seeking out medical care to determine the source of your fatigue. Your healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and improve your quality of life. Common Symptoms Though fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition, it can cause mental and physical symptoms, such as: Weakness Lack of energy Constant tiredness or exhaustion Lack of motivation Difficulty with concentration Trouble starting and completing tasks Additional Symptoms Fatigue is generally not a lone symptom. With it usually come other symptoms that can help your healthcare provider to determine the cause or causes of your fatigue. Additional symptoms that may accompany fatigue include: Headache Dizziness Sore or aching muscles Muscle weakness Slowed reflexes Impaired judgment Moodiness and irritability Loss of appetite Impaired coordination (affecting activities such as driving) Weakened immune function Attention and memory issues Blurry vision Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life. A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is made if a person has experienced chronic and ongoing fatigue for six months or more with no known cause, that is not improved with sleep or rest, and that gets worse with physical or mental activity. Symptoms of CFS can affect different parts of the body and may include unrefreshing sleep, weakness of muscles or joints, problems with memory and concentration, and headaches. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may come and go or last for weeks or months at a time. They can come on gradually or suddenly. Factors That Contribute to Fatigue Many factors can cause fatigue. It's a possible symptom of most medical illnesses. Chronic and severe fatigue can stem from medical issues, lifestyle choices, or stress (both work-related and emotional). Normal fatigue—that is, fatigue that occurs from mental or physical exertion—is not unusual. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic (long-lasting) or severe. Medical Medical causes of fatigue may cause unrelenting exhaustion with additional symptoms. There are a number of diseases that trigger fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing long periods of fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the root cause. The medical causes of fatigue can be classified under broad disease categories. Some of these disease categories include: Metabolic/endocrine : Conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or liver or kidney disease Infections : Influenza, tuberculosis, or malaria Cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs) : Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias, and asthma Sleep problems : Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome Vitamin deficiencies : Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or iron deficiency Other conditions : Cancers and rheumatic/autoimmune diseases Medications you are taking to treat other health conditions may also cause fatigue. This can include anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, sedative medication, some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and steroids. Lifestyle Lifestyle causes include: Sleep disturbances : If you are not getting enough sleep, too much sleep, or waking up during the night, you may experience daytime fatigue. Diet : If you are eating a lot of high-carb, high-fat, or quick-fix foods, sugary foods and drinks, or caffeinated drinks, you are not providing your body enough fuel or nutrients to function at its best. Moreover, these foods may cause you to experience energy boosts that quickly wear off, leading to a "crash" and worsening fatigue. Alcohol and drugs : Alcohol is a depressant that will slow down the nervous system and disturb sleep. Cigarettes and caffeine will stimulate the nervous system and cause you trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep. Lack of regular activity : Physical activity is known for improving your health and well-being, reducing stress, and improving your energy levels. It will also help you sleep better and reduce daytime fatigue. Individual factors : Personal or family illness or injury, having too many commitments, and financial problems can cause a person to feel fatigued. Mental Health A loss of energy may be related to mental health problems such as: Depression Anxiety Grief These conditions exhaust the body physically and emotionally and cause severe fatigue to set in. Workplace-Related Fatigue Night shift workers may experience daytime fatigue as it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is designed for nighttime sleep. Poor workplace practices that can also contribute to fatigue include: Irregular working hours Physical labor Long hours Noisy workplaces Fixed concentration Repetitive tasks Fatigue may also be caused by the following workplace stressors: Heavy workload Conflict with bosses or coworkers Workplace bullying Threats to job security How Healthcare Providers Diagnose Fatigue Fatigue presents with a range of symptoms and is often caused by several different factors working in combination. That makes finding a diagnosis more difficult. Therefore, your healthcare provider will try to determine what is causing fatigue using a number of tests, including the following: Medical history : Your healthcare provider will ask about recent stressful (good and bad) events in your life, such as the birth of a child, surgery, work stress and family problems, or other symptoms you have experienced in addition to fatigue. Physical exam : A physical exam will help your practitioner check for signs of disease. Your medical professional may also ask about your current diet and lifestyle. Testing : Tests can include blood work, urine screens, X-rays, and other imaging. Your healthcare provider will want to rule out physical causes. When to See a Healthcare Provider You should see your healthcare provider if your fatigue: Has come on suddenly and is not the result of normal short-term physical or mental stress Is not relieved by rest, sleep, or the removal of stressors Has become severe or chronic Is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms Associated with weakness, fainting, or near fainting Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, masses or lumps anywhere on the body, fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit) , abnormal bleeding, and/or unexplained pain anywhere in the body Signs of a Medical Emergency Go to your local hospital emergency department if you experience the following symptoms, with or without fatigue: Fainting Chest pain Shortness of breath Bleeding (e.g., vomiting blood or rectal bleeding) Severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain Severe headache Irregular or fast heart rate Effective Ways to Combat Fatigue Treatment for fatigue depends on the causes. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, diet, exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, using drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess. Fortunately, many of the causes of fatigue are treatable. For example, anemia can be treated with iron supplements, sleep apnea can be treated with medicine and CPAP machines, medications can maintain blood sugar and blood pressure, antibiotics can treat infections, and vitamins can regulate vitamin deficiencies. There are also several things you can do to lessen fatigue caused by daily activity and boost energy levels and overall health. These include: Staying hydrated Eating healthy foods Exercising regularly Getting enough sleep Avoiding known stressors Avoiding over-demanding work and social schedules Practicing relaxation activities, such as yoga You should also check with your healthcare provider for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Lifestyle changes help ease fatigue, but it is also important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan for any diagnosed medical condition. Left untreated, fatigue can negatively affect your physical and mental health.
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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ⓒ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved # Should You Be Concerned About Your Fatigue? By [Lana Barhum](https://www.verywellhealth.com/lana-barhum-4173343) Updated on November 03, 2025 Medically reviewed by [Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD](https://www.verywellhealth.com/isaac-opole-md-phd-4774747) Table of Contents View All Table of Contents - [Symptoms](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-what-does-fatigue-feel-like) - [Factors That Contribute to Fatigue](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-factors-that-contribute-to-fatigue) - [Diagnosis](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-how-healthcare-providers-diagnose-fatigue) - [Treatment](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481#toc-effective-ways-to-combat-fatigue) ### Key Takeaways - Fatigue is a common symptom that can affect your physical and mental health and can often be resolved with rest or reduced activity. - Many illnesses and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, but strategies like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet may help to manage symptoms. - Chronic fatigue lasts six months or more and impacts daily life, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider. Fatigue is a feeling of intense exhaustion and lack of motivation that doesn't simply disappear with a good night's rest. Many health conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. It's essential to determine the cause of your fatigue to receive effective treatment. ![tips for treating fatigue]() ![tips for treating fatigue](https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/cFtTbzh7z5YytHuogjvJghtEWjI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/fatigue-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-4768481-v1-739a8adb0d6643efb6159799ebff84a9.jpg) Verywell / Lara Antal ## What Does Fatigue Feel Like? A 2019 report in the journal Biological Research for Nursing defines fatigue as an “overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained” exhaustion that makes it harder to carry out activities and function. Family physicians note that at least 20% of patients and up to 35% of adolescents report fatigue at least four days a week. Men and women will describe fatigue differently. For example, men may say they are feeling tired, whereas [women may link their fatigue](https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-am-i-so-tired-and-have-no-energy-female-7749984) to anxiety or depression. People may also describe fatigue as feeling exhausted, weary, listless, or rundown. People with fatigue often experience: - Lack of motivation or the ability to start activities - Getting tired easily - Experiencing mental fatigue or problems with concentration or memory Often, fatigue is a symptom with a gradual onset, meaning it comes on slowly and gets worse with time. Most people who experience fatigue may not be aware early on how much energy they are losing. They can only determine this when they try to compare their ability to perform tasks from one time frame to another. Further, they may think fatigue is a common symptom—due to aging, being busy or overworked, not getting enough sleep, or a combination of all of these—and ignore the symptom. Don't ignore fatigue or delay seeking out medical care to determine the source of your fatigue. Your healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and improve your quality of life. ### Common Symptoms Though fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition, it can cause mental and physical symptoms, such as: - Weakness - Lack of energy - Constant tiredness or exhaustion - Lack of motivation - Difficulty with concentration - Trouble starting and completing tasks ### Additional Symptoms Fatigue is generally not a lone symptom. With it usually come other symptoms that can help your healthcare provider to determine the cause or causes of your fatigue. Additional symptoms that may accompany fatigue include: - [Headache](https://www.verywellhealth.com/headache-from-lack-of-sleep-5218116) - Dizziness - Sore or aching muscles - Muscle weakness - Slowed reflexes - Impaired judgment - Moodiness and irritability - Loss of appetite - Impaired coordination (affecting activities such as driving) - Weakened immune function - Attention and memory issues - Blurry vision ### Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life. A diagnosis of [chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459) is made if a person has experienced chronic and ongoing fatigue for six months or more with no known cause, that is not improved with sleep or rest, and that gets worse with physical or mental activity. Symptoms of CFS can affect different parts of the body and may include unrefreshing sleep, weakness of muscles or joints, problems with memory and concentration, and headaches. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may come and go or last for weeks or months at a time. They can come on gradually or suddenly. ## Factors That Contribute to Fatigue Many factors can cause fatigue. It's a possible symptom of most medical illnesses. Chronic and severe fatigue can stem from medical issues, lifestyle choices, or stress (both work-related and emotional). Normal fatigue—that is, fatigue that occurs from mental or physical exertion—is not unusual. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic (long-lasting) or severe. ### Medical Medical causes of fatigue may cause unrelenting exhaustion with additional symptoms. There are a number of diseases that trigger fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing long periods of fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the root cause. The medical causes of fatigue can be classified under broad disease categories. Some of these disease categories include: - [Metabolic/endocrine](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-do-hormones-do-8753246): Conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or liver or kidney disease - [Infections](https://www.verywellhealth.com/bacteria-8684504): Influenza, tuberculosis, or malaria - Cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs): Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias, and asthma - Sleep problems: Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome - [Vitamin deficiencies](https://www.verywellhealth.com/vitamin-deficiency-3014720): Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or iron deficiency - Other conditions: [Cancers](https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-i-drink-energy-drinks-to-fight-cancer-fatigue-513983) and rheumatic/autoimmune diseases - Medications you are taking to treat other health conditions may also cause fatigue. This can include anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, sedative medication, some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and steroids. ### Lifestyle Lifestyle causes include: - Sleep disturbances: If you are not getting enough sleep, too much sleep, or waking up during the night, you may experience daytime fatigue. - Diet: If you are eating a lot of high-carb, high-fat, or quick-fix foods, sugary foods and drinks, or caffeinated drinks, you are not providing your body enough fuel or nutrients to function at its best. Moreover, these foods may cause you to experience energy boosts that quickly wear off, leading to a "crash" and worsening fatigue. - Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant that will slow down the nervous system and disturb sleep. Cigarettes and caffeine will stimulate the nervous system and cause you trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep. - Lack of regular activity: Physical activity is known for improving your health and well-being, reducing stress, and improving your energy levels. It will also help you sleep better and reduce daytime fatigue. - Individual factors: Personal or family illness or injury, having too many commitments, and financial problems can cause a person to feel fatigued. ### Mental Health A loss of energy may be related to mental health problems such as: - [Depression](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-physical-effects-of-sleep-deprivation-3015079) - Anxiety - Grief These conditions exhaust the body physically and emotionally and cause severe fatigue to set in. ### Workplace-Related Fatigue Night shift workers may experience daytime fatigue as it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is designed for nighttime sleep. Poor workplace practices that can also contribute to fatigue include: - Irregular working hours - Physical labor - Long hours - Noisy workplaces - Fixed concentration - Repetitive tasks Fatigue may also be caused by the following workplace stressors: - Heavy workload - Conflict with bosses or coworkers - Workplace bullying - Threats to job security ## How Healthcare Providers Diagnose Fatigue Fatigue presents with a range of symptoms and is often caused by several different factors working in combination. That makes finding a diagnosis more difficult. Therefore, your healthcare provider will try to determine what is causing fatigue using a number of tests, including the following: Medical history: Your healthcare provider will ask about recent stressful (good and bad) events in your life, such as the birth of a child, surgery, work stress and family problems, or other symptoms you have experienced in addition to fatigue. Physical exam: A physical exam will help your practitioner check for signs of disease. Your medical professional may also ask about your current diet and lifestyle. Testing: Tests can include blood work, urine screens, X-rays, and other imaging. Your healthcare provider will want to rule out physical causes. ### When to See a Healthcare Provider You should see your healthcare provider if your fatigue: - Has come on suddenly and is not the result of normal short-term physical or mental stress - Is not relieved by rest, sleep, or the removal of stressors - Has become severe or chronic - Is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms - Associated with weakness, [fainting, or near fainting](https://www.verywellhealth.com/causes-of-fainting-1298399) - Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, masses or lumps anywhere on the body, [fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fever-8685009), abnormal bleeding, and/or unexplained pain anywhere in the body ### Signs of a Medical Emergency Go to your local hospital emergency department if you experience the following symptoms, with or without fatigue: - Fainting - Chest pain - Shortness of breath - Bleeding (e.g., vomiting blood or rectal bleeding) - Severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain - Severe headache - Irregular or fast heart rate ## Effective Ways to Combat Fatigue Treatment for fatigue depends on the causes. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, diet, exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, using drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess. Fortunately, many of the causes of fatigue are treatable. For example, anemia can be treated with iron supplements, sleep apnea can be treated with medicine and CPAP machines, medications can maintain blood sugar and blood pressure, antibiotics can treat infections, and vitamins can regulate vitamin deficiencies. There are also several things you can do to lessen fatigue caused by daily activity and boost energy levels and overall health. These include: - Staying hydrated - Eating healthy foods - Exercising regularly - Getting enough sleep - Avoiding known stressors - Avoiding over-demanding work and social schedules - Practicing relaxation activities, such as yoga You should also check with your healthcare provider for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Lifestyle changes help ease fatigue, but it is also important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan for any diagnosed medical condition. Left untreated, fatigue can negatively affect your physical and mental health. Read more: - [Health A-Z](https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770) - [CFS & Fibromyalgia](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-4014724) - [Symptoms](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-symptoms-4158463) 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https://www.verywellhealth.com/verywell-editorial-process-4777042) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 1. MedlinePlus. [Fatigue](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003088.htm). 2. Matura LA, Malone S, Jamie-Lara R, et al. [A systematic review of biological mechanisms of fatigue in chronic illness](https://doi.org/10.1177/1099800418764326). Biol Res Nurs. 2018 Jul;20(4): 410–421. doi:10.1177/1099800418764326 3. Rothenthal TC, Majeroni BA, Pretorius R, et al. [Fatigue: an overview](https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/1115/p1173.html). Am Fam Physician; 78(10):1173-1179. 4. Office of Women’s Health. [Chronic fatigue syndrome](https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/chronic-fatigue-syndrome). 5. Hui Ho D, Zheng R. [Approach to fatigue in primary care](https://doi.org/10.4103/SINGAPOREMEDJ.SMJ-2021-118). Singapore Med J. 2022;63(11):674. doi:10.4103/SINGAPOREMEDJ.SMJ-2021-118 6. Stadje R, Dorniden K, Becker A, et al. [The differential diagnosis of tiredness: a systematic review](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-016-0545-5). BMC Fam Pract. 2016;17:147. doi:10.1186/s12875-016-0545-5 7. Caldwell JA, Caldwell JL, Thompson LA, Lieberman HR. [Fatigue and its management in the workplace](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.024). Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2019;96:272-289. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.024 ![Lana Barhum]() ![Lana Barhum](https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/twHBb6cUGJ6KlJkTIesDcXMZ_hU=/144x144/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/lana-barhum-d731df9d86514add9c6e1bd5aa2d7233.jpg) By [Lana Barhum](https://www.verywellhealth.com/lana-barhum-4173343) Barhum is a medical writer with 15 years of experience with a focus on living and coping with chronic diseases. [See Our Editorial Process](https://www.verywellhealth.com/verywell-editorial-process-4777042) [Meet Our Medical Expert Board](https://www.verywellhealth.com/meet-our-medical-expert-board-11762003) Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback\! What is your feedback? 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Readable Markdown	### Key Takeaways - Fatigue is a common symptom that can affect your physical and mental health and can often be resolved with rest or reduced activity. - Many illnesses and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, but strategies like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet may help to manage symptoms. - Chronic fatigue lasts six months or more and impacts daily life, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider. Fatigue is a feeling of intense exhaustion and lack of motivation that doesn't simply disappear with a good night's rest. Many health conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. It's essential to determine the cause of your fatigue to receive effective treatment. Verywell / Lara Antal ## What Does Fatigue Feel Like? A 2019 report in the journal Biological Research for Nursing defines fatigue as an “overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained” exhaustion that makes it harder to carry out activities and function. Family physicians note that at least 20% of patients and up to 35% of adolescents report fatigue at least four days a week. Men and women will describe fatigue differently. For example, men may say they are feeling tired, whereas [women may link their fatigue](https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-am-i-so-tired-and-have-no-energy-female-7749984) to anxiety or depression. People may also describe fatigue as feeling exhausted, weary, listless, or rundown. People with fatigue often experience: - Lack of motivation or the ability to start activities - Getting tired easily - Experiencing mental fatigue or problems with concentration or memory Often, fatigue is a symptom with a gradual onset, meaning it comes on slowly and gets worse with time. Most people who experience fatigue may not be aware early on how much energy they are losing. They can only determine this when they try to compare their ability to perform tasks from one time frame to another. Further, they may think fatigue is a common symptom—due to aging, being busy or overworked, not getting enough sleep, or a combination of all of these—and ignore the symptom. Don't ignore fatigue or delay seeking out medical care to determine the source of your fatigue. Your healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and improve your quality of life. ### Common Symptoms Though fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition, it can cause mental and physical symptoms, such as: - Weakness - Lack of energy - Constant tiredness or exhaustion - Lack of motivation - Difficulty with concentration - Trouble starting and completing tasks ### Additional Symptoms Fatigue is generally not a lone symptom. With it usually come other symptoms that can help your healthcare provider to determine the cause or causes of your fatigue. Additional symptoms that may accompany fatigue include: - [Headache](https://www.verywellhealth.com/headache-from-lack-of-sleep-5218116) - Dizziness - Sore or aching muscles - Muscle weakness - Slowed reflexes - Impaired judgment - Moodiness and irritability - Loss of appetite - Impaired coordination (affecting activities such as driving) - Weakened immune function - Attention and memory issues - Blurry vision ### Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life. A diagnosis of [chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459) is made if a person has experienced chronic and ongoing fatigue for six months or more with no known cause, that is not improved with sleep or rest, and that gets worse with physical or mental activity. Symptoms of CFS can affect different parts of the body and may include unrefreshing sleep, weakness of muscles or joints, problems with memory and concentration, and headaches. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may come and go or last for weeks or months at a time. They can come on gradually or suddenly. ## Factors That Contribute to Fatigue Many factors can cause fatigue. It's a possible symptom of most medical illnesses. Chronic and severe fatigue can stem from medical issues, lifestyle choices, or stress (both work-related and emotional). Normal fatigue—that is, fatigue that occurs from mental or physical exertion—is not unusual. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic (long-lasting) or severe. ### Medical Medical causes of fatigue may cause unrelenting exhaustion with additional symptoms. There are a number of diseases that trigger fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing long periods of fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the root cause. The medical causes of fatigue can be classified under broad disease categories. Some of these disease categories include: - [Metabolic/endocrine](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-do-hormones-do-8753246): Conditions such as anemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or liver or kidney disease - [Infections](https://www.verywellhealth.com/bacteria-8684504): Influenza, tuberculosis, or malaria - Cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs): Congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias, and asthma - Sleep problems: Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome - [Vitamin deficiencies](https://www.verywellhealth.com/vitamin-deficiency-3014720): Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or iron deficiency - Other conditions: [Cancers](https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-i-drink-energy-drinks-to-fight-cancer-fatigue-513983) and rheumatic/autoimmune diseases - Medications you are taking to treat other health conditions may also cause fatigue. This can include anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, sedative medication, some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and steroids. ### Lifestyle Lifestyle causes include: - Sleep disturbances: If you are not getting enough sleep, too much sleep, or waking up during the night, you may experience daytime fatigue. - Diet: If you are eating a lot of high-carb, high-fat, or quick-fix foods, sugary foods and drinks, or caffeinated drinks, you are not providing your body enough fuel or nutrients to function at its best. Moreover, these foods may cause you to experience energy boosts that quickly wear off, leading to a "crash" and worsening fatigue. - Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant that will slow down the nervous system and disturb sleep. Cigarettes and caffeine will stimulate the nervous system and cause you trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep. - Lack of regular activity: Physical activity is known for improving your health and well-being, reducing stress, and improving your energy levels. It will also help you sleep better and reduce daytime fatigue. - Individual factors: Personal or family illness or injury, having too many commitments, and financial problems can cause a person to feel fatigued. ### Mental Health A loss of energy may be related to mental health problems such as: - [Depression](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-physical-effects-of-sleep-deprivation-3015079) - Anxiety - Grief These conditions exhaust the body physically and emotionally and cause severe fatigue to set in. ### Workplace-Related Fatigue Night shift workers may experience daytime fatigue as it disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is designed for nighttime sleep. Poor workplace practices that can also contribute to fatigue include: - Irregular working hours - Physical labor - Long hours - Noisy workplaces - Fixed concentration - Repetitive tasks Fatigue may also be caused by the following workplace stressors: - Heavy workload - Conflict with bosses or coworkers - Workplace bullying - Threats to job security ## How Healthcare Providers Diagnose Fatigue Fatigue presents with a range of symptoms and is often caused by several different factors working in combination. That makes finding a diagnosis more difficult. Therefore, your healthcare provider will try to determine what is causing fatigue using a number of tests, including the following: Medical history: Your healthcare provider will ask about recent stressful (good and bad) events in your life, such as the birth of a child, surgery, work stress and family problems, or other symptoms you have experienced in addition to fatigue. Physical exam: A physical exam will help your practitioner check for signs of disease. Your medical professional may also ask about your current diet and lifestyle. Testing: Tests can include blood work, urine screens, X-rays, and other imaging. Your healthcare provider will want to rule out physical causes. ### When to See a Healthcare Provider You should see your healthcare provider if your fatigue: - Has come on suddenly and is not the result of normal short-term physical or mental stress - Is not relieved by rest, sleep, or the removal of stressors - Has become severe or chronic - Is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms - Associated with weakness, [fainting, or near fainting](https://www.verywellhealth.com/causes-of-fainting-1298399) - Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, masses or lumps anywhere on the body, [fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fever-8685009), abnormal bleeding, and/or unexplained pain anywhere in the body ### Signs of a Medical Emergency Go to your local hospital emergency department if you experience the following symptoms, with or without fatigue: - Fainting - Chest pain - Shortness of breath - Bleeding (e.g., vomiting blood or rectal bleeding) - Severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain - Severe headache - Irregular or fast heart rate ## Effective Ways to Combat Fatigue Treatment for fatigue depends on the causes. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, diet, exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, using drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess. Fortunately, many of the causes of fatigue are treatable. For example, anemia can be treated with iron supplements, sleep apnea can be treated with medicine and CPAP machines, medications can maintain blood sugar and blood pressure, antibiotics can treat infections, and vitamins can regulate vitamin deficiencies. There are also several things you can do to lessen fatigue caused by daily activity and boost energy levels and overall health. These include: - Staying hydrated - Eating healthy foods - Exercising regularly - Getting enough sleep - Avoiding known stressors - Avoiding over-demanding work and social schedules - Practicing relaxation activities, such as yoga You should also check with your healthcare provider for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Lifestyle changes help ease fatigue, but it is also important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan for any diagnosed medical condition. Left untreated, fatigue can negatively affect your physical and mental health.
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