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| Meta Title | Why Am I Always Tired? |
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| Boilerpipe Text | Key Takeaways
Fatigue can be caused by medical conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or thyroid disease.
Poor sleep habits, such as not getting enough sleep or having an uncomfortable sleeping environment, can make you tired.
Lifestyle choices, such as unhealthy diet, dehydration, and lack of exercise, can decrease your energy levels.
The causes of constant tiredness and fatigue can stem from various factors that affect your energy levels throughout the day. These causes typically fall into four categories: lifestyle factors, medical conditions, sleep disorders, and mental health issues.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
1:39
Click Play to Learn What You Can Do to Feel Less Tired
Everyday Habits That Can Make You Tired
Your daily habits can significantly affect how alert and energetic you feel throughout the day. Consider discussing the following factors with your healthcare provider:
Diet:
Your body gets energy from food. An unbalanced diet or skipping meals can make you feel tired. Diet-related causes of fatigue include deficiencies in zinc, vitamin B12, or vitamin D, blood sugar changes, excessive alcohol, and too much caffeine.
Dehydration
:
Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Since water makes up 50% to 60% of your body weight, sweating, urination, heat, or illness can quickly deplete your hydration levels.
While drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily is a common guideline, very pale yellow or clear urine generally indicates proper hydration.
Poor sleep habits:
Daytime fatigue may result from not getting enough quality sleep. Poor habits like sleeping in a noisy or uncomfortable environment, skipping a bedtime routine, exercising too close to bedtime, or napping late in the day can disrupt your rest. Additionally, not meeting the sleep needs for your age (eight to nine hours a night for adults ages 18 to 60) can leave you feeling tired.
Inactive lifestyle
:
Sitting for long periods can lead to restless and poor-quality sleep. Engaging in regular physical activity can improve your sleep and mental well-being. One study found that participants who exercised for 150 minutes a week experienced less insomnia, depression, and anxiety compared to those who were less active..
Overexertion:
Overexerting yourself through excessive exercise or other activities can leave your body too depleted to recover. This can lead to fatigue, poor sleep, and low motivation. Symptoms of overexertion may include mood swings, sore limbs, frequent illness, and a decline in performance at work or home.
Stress
:
Stress can disrupt your sleep, and poor sleep can increase stress and fatigue. A survey found 43% of adults lost sleep due to stress, and 37% reported feeling tired because of it.
Getting quality sleep helps maintain a positive mood during stressful times and increases joy from good experiences.
Could a Health Condition Be Draining Your Energy?
Feeling fatigued, weak, or sleepy can be symptoms of various medical conditions that impact your energy. Daytime sleepiness may be linked to these underlying causes:
Anemia
:
Anemia is a condition in which your body has fewer red blood cells or they don't function properly, reducing the blood's ability to deliver oxygen to your organs. This can cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and numbness in the hands and feet.
The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, but other causes include inherited disorders, chronic illnesses, and pregnancy.
Autoimmune disease:
Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body, causing tissue damage and chronic inflammation. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and
inflammatory bowel disease
can lead to fatigue and disrupt your metabolism, nervous system, and sleep patterns. They may also cause imbalances in cytokines, proteins that regulate inflammation, mood, and sleep.
Cancer:
More than 80% of people with cancer experience
cancer-related fatigue
, which often doesn't improve with rest and can be an early sign of the disease. Fatigue can result from low blood counts, disturbed electrolytes, altered hormone or cytokine levels, and changes in cell function caused by cancer. Treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation can also contribute to fatigue.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) causes extreme fatigue that worsens with minimal exertion, doesn't improve with rest, and often includes flu-like symptoms and cognitive issues like "brain fog." The exact cause is unknown, but it may be linked to infections, chronic stress, autoimmune responses, or cytokine-related inflammation.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD):
This chronic disease causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and extra mucus, making it hard to breathe. Fatigue is common in COPD, but it may not always be directly linked to breathing difficulties. The disease progresses over time, and it is especially common in current or former smokers.
Depression:
This mood disorder causes sadness, loss of interest, and physical symptoms like fatigue. Daytime sleepiness may result from insomnia or other sleep problems often linked to depression, and fatigue may serve as an early warning sign.
Biochemical similarities between depression and ME/CFS might explain fatigue as a shared symptom.
Diabetes
:
Diabetes fatigue syndrome refers to persistent fatigue experienced by people with diabetes. Possible causes include low blood sugar, hormonal imbalances, treatment side effects, overlapping conditions, and lifestyle factors like diet.
Fibromyalgia
:
Fibromyalgia
is a chronic pain condition. It's caused by dysfunction in the central nervous system, which heightens sensitivity and turns harmless sensations into pain (allodynia).
Fatigue is also a key symptom of fibromyalgia. This fatigue may be due to biochemical changes, inflammation, sleep disorders, and sleep disruptions.
Heart disease:
If you have fatigue that's new and constant, it may be an early warning sign of heart failure or, less often,
coronary artery disease
. These conditions limit the amount of oxygen-rich blood that gets to your muscles or to the heart itself. Your heart and brain need oxygen. When you have heart disease, your body limits the blood sent to less important parts like the limbs, leading to reduced energy and fatigue.
Infections:
Fatigue is common during and after infectious illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, mononucleosis, and
Lyme disease
. While tiredness often resolves as the illness clears, some people experience lingering fatigue, known as post-viral fatigue or,
in the case of COVID-19, long COVID
.
Researchers are exploring links between these persistent symptoms and conditions like ME/CFS, especially for viruses like Epstein-Barr, which can reactivate and contribute to fatigue and autoimmune diseases.
Food allergies and intolerances
:
Food allergies and intolerances can cause fatigue by triggering immune responses or gastrointestinal distress that depletes energy levels. Reactions to allergens, such as dairy, gluten, or nuts, may lead to inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, or disrupted sleep. Chronic exposure to problematic foods can worsen fatigue over time, especially if the underlying issue goes unaddressed.
Kidney disease
:
Kidney disease can cause fatigue due to the buildup of toxins in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can lead to anemia, as the kidneys produce less erythropoietin, a hormone essential for red blood cell production.
Electrolyte imbalances and reduced nutrient absorption may also contribute to low energy levels.
Menopause
:
The transition to menopause, including perimenopause and the early post-menopausal stage, often brings fatigue along with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Fatigue may stem from sleep disruptions, hormonal changes, aging, or stress.
Pregnancy
:
Pregnancy places extra demands on the body, often causing fatigue, especially during the first and third trimesters. Factors contributing to this tiredness include the energy required to support the baby, hormonal changes, low blood sugar or pressure, and disrupted sleep. Stress and digestive changes can also play a role in pregnancy-related exhaustion.
Thyroid disease
:
Thyroid hormone imbalances, whether high (hyperthyroidism) or low (hypothyroidism), can cause fatigue due to their effects on metabolism. Hyperthyroidism speeds up bodily processes, leading to symptoms like anxiety, sleep disruption, and eventual exhaustion as energy reserves deplete, while hypothyroidism slows everything down, causing fatigue alongside weight gain, depression, and memory problems.
Recognizing a Heart Attack
A heart attack requires immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone else suddenly experiences:
Chest pain or pressure, which can also be in the upper abdomen
Pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, back, arms, or stomach
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or fainting
Nausea or vomiting
Extreme fatigue
How Sleep Disorders Affect Your Energy Levels
Various circadian rhythm disorders can leave you
feeling too sleepy during the day
. The circadian rhythm is your body's natural clock. It helps to coordinate your activities based on when it's light and dark in your environment. If your internal timing is misaligned, you may find yourself with excessive daytime sleepiness.
Six common circadian rhythm disorders include:
Advanced sleep phase syndrome:
The distinguishing feature is falling asleep and waking up earlier than you want, usually by about three hours.
Delayed sleep phase syndrome:
This causes difficulty falling asleep and makes it extremely hard to wake up.
Irregular sleep-wake rhythm:
This occurs when the circadian rhythm becomes completely disconnected from the natural day-night cycle. Sleep is fragmented, with short spells scattered throughout the day.
Jet lag:
A temporary rhythm disorder associated with travel across several time zones. To adjust, it may take one day for every time zone you cross.
Non-entrained (non-24) disorder:
This usually occurs in visually impaired people. The sleep cycle is typically a little longer than average and thus becomes more out of sync every day.
Shift-work sleep disorder:
Poor sleep is caused by working at night and sleeping during the day. This can lead to increased accidents and possibly a higher risk of some forms of cancer.
Other sleep disorders that can result in constant tiredness or fatigue include:
Insomnia
:
Insomnia, which makes it hard to fall or stay asleep, can be occasional or a chronic issue that causes constant fatigue. It may result from factors like genetics, irregular sleep schedules, stimulants, alcohol, drug use, or high stress levels. Environmental factors, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive light exposure, especially from screens before bed, can also contribute.
Kleine-Levin syndrome:
Kleine-Levin syndrome, a rare condition primarily affecting young men, causes recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness that can last days to months and be severely debilitating. These episodes often disrupt daily life and school, with symptoms including hallucinations, hypersexual or compulsive behaviors, binge eating, and mood or cognitive disturbances.
Narcolepsy
:
Narcolepsy disrupts the body's ability to regulate sleep, causing sudden sleep attacks during the day and wakefulness elements during sleep. Key symptoms include cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by emotions, and vivid hallucinations during sleep transitions. Sleep paralysis, frequent nighttime awakenings, and performing actions during sleep attacks without memory of them are also common.
Restless leg syndrome
(RLS):
Disorders causing excessive movements during sleep, like RLS, can disrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue. RLS creates an uncomfortable sensation in the legs and an urge to move, typically worsening in the evening or when lying down. Movement temporarily relieves the discomfort but can interfere with restful sleep.
Periodic limb movement syndrome
(PLMS):
This condition related to RLS involves sudden jerking movements that occur during sleep. These may be repetitive, disturbing your sleep and potentially that of your bed partner.
Sleep apnea
:
Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, often followed by loud snorts or gasps that disrupt sleep cycles. These interruptions shift you into lighter sleep stages, leaving you tired even if you don't recall waking. Symptoms include snoring, morning dry mouth or headaches, teeth grinding, sexual dysfunction, and frequent nighttime urination.
Warning: Risk of Fatal Complications
Sleep apnea puts a strain on your heart. It can lead to high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy (enlarged muscle tissue in the heart), heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. This makes proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea especially important.
Medications That Cause Drowsiness
Drowsiness and fatigue are common side effects of medications. If you have daytime tiredness, your healthcare provider will likely look into what medications you're taking. Drugs that can make you tired include:
Analgesics:
Painkillers including opioids such as Vicodin (hydrocodone-acetaminophen), OxyContin (oxycodone)
Antiseizure medications (ASMs):
Seizure prevention drugs such as Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin)
Antidepressants:
Tricyclics and SSRIs/SNRIs including amitriptyline, Prozac (fluoxetine), Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Antiemetics:
Drugs for nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Reglan (metoclopramide)
Antihistamines:
Allergy medications including Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Antipsychotics:
Drugs for schizophrenia, psychosis in bipolar disorder, depression, and
Alzheimer's diseas
e including
Abilify (aripiprazole)
, Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel (quetiapine)
Benzodiazepines:
Tranquilizers and sedatives such as Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam)
Blood pressure drugs:
Diuretics, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers including Lasix (furosemide), Avapro (irbesartan), verapamil HCL, Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate)
Muscle relaxants:
Including Soma (carisoprodol), Lorzone (chlorzoxazone), Amrix (cyclobenzaprine)
Sedatives:
Non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics such as Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Statins:
Especially fat-soluble drugs including Lipitor (atorvastatin), lovastatin, Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin)
Steroids:
Used for inflammation, allergies, skin diseases, certain cancers, and after organ transplants. Some may cause insomnia, including prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone.
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editorial process
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By
Brandon Peters, MD
Dr. Peters is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist and is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
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# Why Am I Always Tired?
By [Brandon Peters, MD](https://www.verywellhealth.com/brandon-peters-md-3014640)
Updated on March 12, 2026
Medically reviewed by [Sanja Jelic, MD](https://www.verywellhealth.com/sanja-jelic-md-4685032)
Table of Contents
View All
Table of Contents
- [Lifestyle Factors](https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-why-you-feel-sleepy-3014818#toc-everyday-habits-that-can-make-you-tired)
- [Medical Causes](https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-why-you-feel-sleepy-3014818#toc-could-a-health-condition-be-draining-your-energy)
- [Sleep Disorders](https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-why-you-feel-sleepy-3014818#toc-how-sleep-disorders-affect-your-energy-levels)
- [Medications](https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-why-you-feel-sleepy-3014818#toc-medications-that-cause-drowsiness)
### Key Takeaways
- Fatigue can be caused by medical conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or thyroid disease.
- Poor sleep habits, such as not getting enough sleep or having an uncomfortable sleeping environment, can make you tired.
- Lifestyle choices, such as unhealthy diet, dehydration, and lack of exercise, can decrease your energy levels.
The causes of constant tiredness and fatigue can stem from various factors that affect your energy levels throughout the day. These causes typically fall into four categories: lifestyle factors, medical conditions, sleep disorders, and mental health issues.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
1:39
### Click Play to Learn What You Can Do to Feel Less Tired
This video has been medically reviewed by [Chris Vincent, MD](https://www.verywellhealth.com/chris-vincent-md-4774437).
## Everyday Habits That Can Make You Tired
Your daily habits can significantly affect how alert and energetic you feel throughout the day. Consider discussing the following factors with your healthcare provider:
- **Diet:** Your body gets energy from food. An unbalanced diet or skipping meals can make you feel tired. Diet-related causes of fatigue include deficiencies in zinc, vitamin B12, or vitamin D, blood sugar changes, excessive alcohol, and too much caffeine.
- [**Dehydration**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/diseases-that-cause-dehydration-in-adults-8679450)**:** Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Since water makes up 50% to 60% of your body weight, sweating, urination, heat, or illness can quickly deplete your hydration levels. While drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily is a common guideline, very pale yellow or clear urine generally indicates proper hydration.
- **Poor sleep habits:** Daytime fatigue may result from not getting enough quality sleep. Poor habits like sleeping in a noisy or uncomfortable environment, skipping a bedtime routine, exercising too close to bedtime, or napping late in the day can disrupt your rest. Additionally, not meeting the sleep needs for your age (eight to nine hours a night for adults ages 18 to 60) can leave you feeling tired.
- [**Inactive lifestyle**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/sitting-down-8629219)**:** Sitting for long periods can lead to restless and poor-quality sleep. Engaging in regular physical activity can improve your sleep and mental well-being. One study found that participants who exercised for 150 minutes a week experienced less insomnia, depression, and anxiety compared to those who were less active..
- **Overexertion:** Overexerting yourself through excessive exercise or other activities can leave your body too depleted to recover. This can lead to fatigue, poor sleep, and low motivation. Symptoms of overexertion may include mood swings, sore limbs, frequent illness, and a decline in performance at work or home.
- [**Stress**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/psychological-stress-5205714)**:** Stress can disrupt your sleep, and poor sleep can increase stress and fatigue. A survey found 43% of adults lost sleep due to stress, and 37% reported feeling tired because of it. Getting quality sleep helps maintain a positive mood during stressful times and increases joy from good experiences.
## Could a Health Condition Be Draining Your Energy?
Feeling fatigued, weak, or sleepy can be symptoms of various medical conditions that impact your energy. Daytime sleepiness may be linked to these underlying causes:
- [**Anemia**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/anemia-symptoms-4628300)**:** Anemia is a condition in which your body has fewer red blood cells or they don't function properly, reducing the blood's ability to deliver oxygen to your organs. This can cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and numbness in the hands and feet. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, but other causes include inherited disorders, chronic illnesses, and pregnancy.
- **Autoimmune disease:** Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body, causing tissue damage and chronic inflammation. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and [inflammatory bowel disease](https://www.verywellhealth.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-overview-4581950) can lead to fatigue and disrupt your metabolism, nervous system, and sleep patterns. They may also cause imbalances in cytokines, proteins that regulate inflammation, mood, and sleep.
- **Cancer:** More than 80% of people with cancer experience [cancer-related fatigue](https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-fatigue-a-symptom-of-cancer-514435), which often doesn't improve with rest and can be an early sign of the disease. Fatigue can result from low blood counts, disturbed electrolytes, altered hormone or cytokine levels, and changes in cell function caused by cancer. Treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation can also contribute to fatigue.
- [**Chronic fatigue syndrome**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459)**:** Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) causes extreme fatigue that worsens with minimal exertion, doesn't improve with rest, and often includes flu-like symptoms and cognitive issues like "brain fog." The exact cause is unknown, but it may be linked to infections, chronic stress, autoimmune responses, or cytokine-related inflammation.
- [**Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/copd-4014741) **(COPD):** This chronic disease causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and extra mucus, making it hard to breathe. Fatigue is common in COPD, but it may not always be directly linked to breathing difficulties. The disease progresses over time, and it is especially common in current or former smokers.
- **Depression:** This mood disorder causes sadness, loss of interest, and physical symptoms like fatigue. Daytime sleepiness may result from insomnia or other sleep problems often linked to depression, and fatigue may serve as an early warning sign. Biochemical similarities between depression and ME/CFS might explain fatigue as a shared symptom.
- [**Diabetes**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/undiagnosed-diabetes-5179188)**:** Diabetes fatigue syndrome refers to persistent fatigue experienced by people with diabetes. Possible causes include low blood sugar, hormonal imbalances, treatment side effects, overlapping conditions, and lifestyle factors like diet.
- [**Fibromyalgia**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibromyalgia-7369351)**:** Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition. It's caused by dysfunction in the central nervous system, which heightens sensitivity and turns harmless sensations into pain (allodynia). Fatigue is also a key symptom of fibromyalgia. This fatigue may be due to biochemical changes, inflammation, sleep disorders, and sleep disruptions.
- **Heart disease:** If you have fatigue that's new and constant, it may be an early warning sign of heart failure or, less often, [coronary artery disease](https://www.verywellhealth.com/heart-disease-7481236). These conditions limit the amount of oxygen-rich blood that gets to your muscles or to the heart itself. Your heart and brain need oxygen. When you have heart disease, your body limits the blood sent to less important parts like the limbs, leading to reduced energy and fatigue.
- **Infections:** Fatigue is common during and after infectious illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, mononucleosis, and [Lyme disease](https://www.verywellhealth.com/lyme-disease-7151644). While tiredness often resolves as the illness clears, some people experience lingering fatigue, known as post-viral fatigue or, [in the case of COVID-19, long COVID](https://www.verywellhealth.com/nicotine-patches-long-covid-treatment-8705089). Researchers are exploring links between these persistent symptoms and conditions like ME/CFS, especially for viruses like Epstein-Barr, which can reactivate and contribute to fatigue and autoimmune diseases.
- [**Food allergies and intolerances**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/most-common-food-sensitivities-1944845)**:** Food allergies and intolerances can cause fatigue by triggering immune responses or gastrointestinal distress that depletes energy levels. Reactions to allergens, such as dairy, gluten, or nuts, may lead to inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, or disrupted sleep. Chronic exposure to problematic foods can worsen fatigue over time, especially if the underlying issue goes unaddressed.
- [**Kidney disease**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/acute-vs-chronic-kidney-disease-5221287)**:** Kidney disease can cause fatigue due to the buildup of toxins in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can lead to anemia, as the kidneys produce less erythropoietin, a hormone essential for red blood cell production. Electrolyte imbalances and reduced nutrient absorption may also contribute to low energy levels.
- [**Menopause**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/side-effects-of-menopause-5217701)**:** The transition to menopause, including perimenopause and the early post-menopausal stage, often brings fatigue along with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Fatigue may stem from sleep disruptions, hormonal changes, aging, or stress.
- [**Pregnancy**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/pregnancy-facts-and-statistics-5324188)**:** Pregnancy places extra demands on the body, often causing fatigue, especially during the first and third trimesters. Factors contributing to this tiredness include the energy required to support the baby, hormonal changes, low blood sugar or pressure, and disrupted sleep. Stress and digestive changes can also play a role in pregnancy-related exhaustion.
- [**Thyroid disease**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/hypothyroidism-hyperthyroidism-5180646)**:** Thyroid hormone imbalances, whether high (hyperthyroidism) or low (hypothyroidism), can cause fatigue due to their effects on metabolism. Hyperthyroidism speeds up bodily processes, leading to symptoms like anxiety, sleep disruption, and eventual exhaustion as energy reserves deplete, while hypothyroidism slows everything down, causing fatigue alongside weight gain, depression, and memory problems.
### Recognizing a Heart Attack
A heart attack requires immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone else suddenly experiences:
- Chest pain or pressure, which can also be in the upper abdomen
- Pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, back, arms, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme fatigue
## How Sleep Disorders Affect Your Energy Levels
Various circadian rhythm disorders can leave you [feeling too sleepy during the day](https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-am-i-sleepy-after-eating-lunch-3014827). The circadian rhythm is your body's natural clock. It helps to coordinate your activities based on when it's light and dark in your environment. If your internal timing is misaligned, you may find yourself with excessive daytime sleepiness.
Six common circadian rhythm disorders include:
- **Advanced sleep phase syndrome:** The distinguishing feature is falling asleep and waking up earlier than you want, usually by about three hours.
- **Delayed sleep phase syndrome:** This causes difficulty falling asleep and makes it extremely hard to wake up.
- **Irregular sleep-wake rhythm:** This occurs when the circadian rhythm becomes completely disconnected from the natural day-night cycle. Sleep is fragmented, with short spells scattered throughout the day.
- **Jet lag:** A temporary rhythm disorder associated with travel across several time zones. To adjust, it may take one day for every time zone you cross.
- **Non-entrained (non-24) disorder:** This usually occurs in visually impaired people. The sleep cycle is typically a little longer than average and thus becomes more out of sync every day.
- **Shift-work sleep disorder:** Poor sleep is caused by working at night and sleeping during the day. This can lead to increased accidents and possibly a higher risk of some forms of cancer.
Other sleep disorders that can result in constant tiredness or fatigue include:
- [**Insomnia**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-insomnia-the-features-symptoms-and-causes-3014805)**:** Insomnia, which makes it hard to fall or stay asleep, can be occasional or a chronic issue that causes constant fatigue. It may result from factors like genetics, irregular sleep schedules, stimulants, alcohol, drug use, or high stress levels. Environmental factors, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive light exposure, especially from screens before bed, can also contribute.
- **Kleine-Levin syndrome:** Kleine-Levin syndrome, a rare condition primarily affecting young men, causes recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness that can last days to months and be severely debilitating. These episodes often disrupt daily life and school, with symptoms including hallucinations, hypersexual or compulsive behaviors, binge eating, and mood or cognitive disturbances.
- [**Narcolepsy**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/restless-sleep-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-5649715)**:** Narcolepsy disrupts the body's ability to regulate sleep, causing sudden sleep attacks during the day and wakefulness elements during sleep. Key symptoms include cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by emotions, and vivid hallucinations during sleep transitions. Sleep paralysis, frequent nighttime awakenings, and performing actions during sleep attacks without memory of them are also common.
- [**Restless leg syndrome**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/restless-leg-syndrome-1746081) **(RLS):** Disorders causing excessive movements during sleep, like RLS, can disrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue. RLS creates an uncomfortable sensation in the legs and an urge to move, typically worsening in the evening or when lying down. Movement temporarily relieves the discomfort but can interfere with restful sleep.
- [**Periodic limb movement syndrome**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-sleep-disorders-8778367) **(PLMS):** This condition related to RLS involves sudden jerking movements that occur during sleep. These may be repetitive, disturbing your sleep and potentially that of your bed partner.
- [**Sleep apnea**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/effects-of-sleep-apnea-5215939)**:** Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, often followed by loud snorts or gasps that disrupt sleep cycles. These interruptions shift you into lighter sleep stages, leaving you tired even if you don't recall waking. Symptoms include snoring, morning dry mouth or headaches, teeth grinding, sexual dysfunction, and frequent nighttime urination.
### Warning: Risk of Fatal Complications
Sleep apnea puts a strain on your heart. It can lead to high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy (enlarged muscle tissue in the heart), heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. This makes proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea especially important.
## Medications That Cause Drowsiness
Drowsiness and fatigue are common side effects of medications. If you have daytime tiredness, your healthcare provider will likely look into what medications you're taking. Drugs that can make you tired include:
- **Analgesics:** Painkillers including opioids such as Vicodin (hydrocodone-acetaminophen), OxyContin (oxycodone)
- **Antiseizure medications (ASMs):** Seizure prevention drugs such as Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin)
- **Antidepressants:** Tricyclics and SSRIs/SNRIs including amitriptyline, Prozac (fluoxetine), Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- **Antiemetics:** Drugs for nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Reglan (metoclopramide)
- **Antihistamines:** Allergy medications including Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- **Antipsychotics:** Drugs for schizophrenia, psychosis in bipolar disorder, depression, and [Alzheimer's diseas](https://www.verywellhealth.com/alzheimers-disease-7111202)e including [Abilify (aripiprazole)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-abilify-to-work-8553110), Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel (quetiapine)
- **Benzodiazepines:** Tranquilizers and sedatives such as Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam)
- **Blood pressure drugs:** Diuretics, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers including Lasix (furosemide), Avapro (irbesartan), verapamil HCL, Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate)
- **Muscle relaxants:** Including Soma (carisoprodol), Lorzone (chlorzoxazone), Amrix (cyclobenzaprine)
- **Sedatives:** Non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics such as Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone)
- **Statins:** Especially fat-soluble drugs including Lipitor (atorvastatin), lovastatin, Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin)
- **Steroids:** Used for inflammation, allergies, skin diseases, certain cancers, and after organ transplants. Some may cause insomnia, including prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone.
Read more:
- [Health A-Z](https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770)
- [Sleep Disorders](https://www.verywellhealth.com/sleep-disorders-4014648)
- [Insomnia & More Disorders](https://www.verywellhealth.com/insomnia-and-more-sleep-disorders-4013520)
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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.
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![Brandon Peters, M.D.]()
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By [Brandon Peters, MD](https://www.verywellhealth.com/brandon-peters-md-3014640)
Dr. Peters is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist and is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
[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)
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| Readable Markdown | ### Key Takeaways
- Fatigue can be caused by medical conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or thyroid disease.
- Poor sleep habits, such as not getting enough sleep or having an uncomfortable sleeping environment, can make you tired.
- Lifestyle choices, such as unhealthy diet, dehydration, and lack of exercise, can decrease your energy levels.
The causes of constant tiredness and fatigue can stem from various factors that affect your energy levels throughout the day. These causes typically fall into four categories: lifestyle factors, medical conditions, sleep disorders, and mental health issues.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
1:39
### Click Play to Learn What You Can Do to Feel Less Tired
## Everyday Habits That Can Make You Tired
Your daily habits can significantly affect how alert and energetic you feel throughout the day. Consider discussing the following factors with your healthcare provider:
- **Diet:** Your body gets energy from food. An unbalanced diet or skipping meals can make you feel tired. Diet-related causes of fatigue include deficiencies in zinc, vitamin B12, or vitamin D, blood sugar changes, excessive alcohol, and too much caffeine.
- [**Dehydration**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/diseases-that-cause-dehydration-in-adults-8679450)**:** Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Since water makes up 50% to 60% of your body weight, sweating, urination, heat, or illness can quickly deplete your hydration levels. While drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily is a common guideline, very pale yellow or clear urine generally indicates proper hydration.
- **Poor sleep habits:** Daytime fatigue may result from not getting enough quality sleep. Poor habits like sleeping in a noisy or uncomfortable environment, skipping a bedtime routine, exercising too close to bedtime, or napping late in the day can disrupt your rest. Additionally, not meeting the sleep needs for your age (eight to nine hours a night for adults ages 18 to 60) can leave you feeling tired.
- [**Inactive lifestyle**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/sitting-down-8629219)**:** Sitting for long periods can lead to restless and poor-quality sleep. Engaging in regular physical activity can improve your sleep and mental well-being. One study found that participants who exercised for 150 minutes a week experienced less insomnia, depression, and anxiety compared to those who were less active..
- **Overexertion:** Overexerting yourself through excessive exercise or other activities can leave your body too depleted to recover. This can lead to fatigue, poor sleep, and low motivation. Symptoms of overexertion may include mood swings, sore limbs, frequent illness, and a decline in performance at work or home.
- [**Stress**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/psychological-stress-5205714)**:** Stress can disrupt your sleep, and poor sleep can increase stress and fatigue. A survey found 43% of adults lost sleep due to stress, and 37% reported feeling tired because of it. Getting quality sleep helps maintain a positive mood during stressful times and increases joy from good experiences.
## Could a Health Condition Be Draining Your Energy?
Feeling fatigued, weak, or sleepy can be symptoms of various medical conditions that impact your energy. Daytime sleepiness may be linked to these underlying causes:
- [**Anemia**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/anemia-symptoms-4628300)**:** Anemia is a condition in which your body has fewer red blood cells or they don't function properly, reducing the blood's ability to deliver oxygen to your organs. This can cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and numbness in the hands and feet. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, but other causes include inherited disorders, chronic illnesses, and pregnancy.
- **Autoimmune disease:** Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body, causing tissue damage and chronic inflammation. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and [inflammatory bowel disease](https://www.verywellhealth.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-overview-4581950) can lead to fatigue and disrupt your metabolism, nervous system, and sleep patterns. They may also cause imbalances in cytokines, proteins that regulate inflammation, mood, and sleep.
- **Cancer:** More than 80% of people with cancer experience [cancer-related fatigue](https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-fatigue-a-symptom-of-cancer-514435), which often doesn't improve with rest and can be an early sign of the disease. Fatigue can result from low blood counts, disturbed electrolytes, altered hormone or cytokine levels, and changes in cell function caused by cancer. Treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation can also contribute to fatigue.
- [**Chronic fatigue syndrome**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/understanding-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-4158459)**:** Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) causes extreme fatigue that worsens with minimal exertion, doesn't improve with rest, and often includes flu-like symptoms and cognitive issues like "brain fog." The exact cause is unknown, but it may be linked to infections, chronic stress, autoimmune responses, or cytokine-related inflammation.
- [**Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/copd-4014741) **(COPD):** This chronic disease causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and extra mucus, making it hard to breathe. Fatigue is common in COPD, but it may not always be directly linked to breathing difficulties. The disease progresses over time, and it is especially common in current or former smokers.
- **Depression:** This mood disorder causes sadness, loss of interest, and physical symptoms like fatigue. Daytime sleepiness may result from insomnia or other sleep problems often linked to depression, and fatigue may serve as an early warning sign. Biochemical similarities between depression and ME/CFS might explain fatigue as a shared symptom.
- [**Diabetes**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/undiagnosed-diabetes-5179188)**:** Diabetes fatigue syndrome refers to persistent fatigue experienced by people with diabetes. Possible causes include low blood sugar, hormonal imbalances, treatment side effects, overlapping conditions, and lifestyle factors like diet.
- [**Fibromyalgia**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/fibromyalgia-7369351)**:** Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition. It's caused by dysfunction in the central nervous system, which heightens sensitivity and turns harmless sensations into pain (allodynia). Fatigue is also a key symptom of fibromyalgia. This fatigue may be due to biochemical changes, inflammation, sleep disorders, and sleep disruptions.
- **Heart disease:** If you have fatigue that's new and constant, it may be an early warning sign of heart failure or, less often, [coronary artery disease](https://www.verywellhealth.com/heart-disease-7481236). These conditions limit the amount of oxygen-rich blood that gets to your muscles or to the heart itself. Your heart and brain need oxygen. When you have heart disease, your body limits the blood sent to less important parts like the limbs, leading to reduced energy and fatigue.
- **Infections:** Fatigue is common during and after infectious illnesses like COVID-19, influenza, mononucleosis, and [Lyme disease](https://www.verywellhealth.com/lyme-disease-7151644). While tiredness often resolves as the illness clears, some people experience lingering fatigue, known as post-viral fatigue or, [in the case of COVID-19, long COVID](https://www.verywellhealth.com/nicotine-patches-long-covid-treatment-8705089). Researchers are exploring links between these persistent symptoms and conditions like ME/CFS, especially for viruses like Epstein-Barr, which can reactivate and contribute to fatigue and autoimmune diseases.
- [**Food allergies and intolerances**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/most-common-food-sensitivities-1944845)**:** Food allergies and intolerances can cause fatigue by triggering immune responses or gastrointestinal distress that depletes energy levels. Reactions to allergens, such as dairy, gluten, or nuts, may lead to inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, or disrupted sleep. Chronic exposure to problematic foods can worsen fatigue over time, especially if the underlying issue goes unaddressed.
- [**Kidney disease**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/acute-vs-chronic-kidney-disease-5221287)**:** Kidney disease can cause fatigue due to the buildup of toxins in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can lead to anemia, as the kidneys produce less erythropoietin, a hormone essential for red blood cell production. Electrolyte imbalances and reduced nutrient absorption may also contribute to low energy levels.
- [**Menopause**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/side-effects-of-menopause-5217701)**:** The transition to menopause, including perimenopause and the early post-menopausal stage, often brings fatigue along with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Fatigue may stem from sleep disruptions, hormonal changes, aging, or stress.
- [**Pregnancy**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/pregnancy-facts-and-statistics-5324188)**:** Pregnancy places extra demands on the body, often causing fatigue, especially during the first and third trimesters. Factors contributing to this tiredness include the energy required to support the baby, hormonal changes, low blood sugar or pressure, and disrupted sleep. Stress and digestive changes can also play a role in pregnancy-related exhaustion.
- [**Thyroid disease**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/hypothyroidism-hyperthyroidism-5180646)**:** Thyroid hormone imbalances, whether high (hyperthyroidism) or low (hypothyroidism), can cause fatigue due to their effects on metabolism. Hyperthyroidism speeds up bodily processes, leading to symptoms like anxiety, sleep disruption, and eventual exhaustion as energy reserves deplete, while hypothyroidism slows everything down, causing fatigue alongside weight gain, depression, and memory problems.
### Recognizing a Heart Attack
A heart attack requires immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone else suddenly experiences:
- Chest pain or pressure, which can also be in the upper abdomen
- Pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, back, arms, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme fatigue
## How Sleep Disorders Affect Your Energy Levels
Various circadian rhythm disorders can leave you [feeling too sleepy during the day](https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-am-i-sleepy-after-eating-lunch-3014827). The circadian rhythm is your body's natural clock. It helps to coordinate your activities based on when it's light and dark in your environment. If your internal timing is misaligned, you may find yourself with excessive daytime sleepiness.
Six common circadian rhythm disorders include:
- **Advanced sleep phase syndrome:** The distinguishing feature is falling asleep and waking up earlier than you want, usually by about three hours.
- **Delayed sleep phase syndrome:** This causes difficulty falling asleep and makes it extremely hard to wake up.
- **Irregular sleep-wake rhythm:** This occurs when the circadian rhythm becomes completely disconnected from the natural day-night cycle. Sleep is fragmented, with short spells scattered throughout the day.
- **Jet lag:** A temporary rhythm disorder associated with travel across several time zones. To adjust, it may take one day for every time zone you cross.
- **Non-entrained (non-24) disorder:** This usually occurs in visually impaired people. The sleep cycle is typically a little longer than average and thus becomes more out of sync every day.
- **Shift-work sleep disorder:** Poor sleep is caused by working at night and sleeping during the day. This can lead to increased accidents and possibly a higher risk of some forms of cancer.
Other sleep disorders that can result in constant tiredness or fatigue include:
- [**Insomnia**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-insomnia-the-features-symptoms-and-causes-3014805)**:** Insomnia, which makes it hard to fall or stay asleep, can be occasional or a chronic issue that causes constant fatigue. It may result from factors like genetics, irregular sleep schedules, stimulants, alcohol, drug use, or high stress levels. Environmental factors, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive light exposure, especially from screens before bed, can also contribute.
- **Kleine-Levin syndrome:** Kleine-Levin syndrome, a rare condition primarily affecting young men, causes recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness that can last days to months and be severely debilitating. These episodes often disrupt daily life and school, with symptoms including hallucinations, hypersexual or compulsive behaviors, binge eating, and mood or cognitive disturbances.
- [**Narcolepsy**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/restless-sleep-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-5649715)**:** Narcolepsy disrupts the body's ability to regulate sleep, causing sudden sleep attacks during the day and wakefulness elements during sleep. Key symptoms include cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by emotions, and vivid hallucinations during sleep transitions. Sleep paralysis, frequent nighttime awakenings, and performing actions during sleep attacks without memory of them are also common.
- [**Restless leg syndrome**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/restless-leg-syndrome-1746081) **(RLS):** Disorders causing excessive movements during sleep, like RLS, can disrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue. RLS creates an uncomfortable sensation in the legs and an urge to move, typically worsening in the evening or when lying down. Movement temporarily relieves the discomfort but can interfere with restful sleep.
- [**Periodic limb movement syndrome**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-sleep-disorders-8778367) **(PLMS):** This condition related to RLS involves sudden jerking movements that occur during sleep. These may be repetitive, disturbing your sleep and potentially that of your bed partner.
- [**Sleep apnea**](https://www.verywellhealth.com/effects-of-sleep-apnea-5215939)**:** Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, often followed by loud snorts or gasps that disrupt sleep cycles. These interruptions shift you into lighter sleep stages, leaving you tired even if you don't recall waking. Symptoms include snoring, morning dry mouth or headaches, teeth grinding, sexual dysfunction, and frequent nighttime urination.
### Warning: Risk of Fatal Complications
Sleep apnea puts a strain on your heart. It can lead to high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy (enlarged muscle tissue in the heart), heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. This makes proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea especially important.
## Medications That Cause Drowsiness
Drowsiness and fatigue are common side effects of medications. If you have daytime tiredness, your healthcare provider will likely look into what medications you're taking. Drugs that can make you tired include:
- **Analgesics:** Painkillers including opioids such as Vicodin (hydrocodone-acetaminophen), OxyContin (oxycodone)
- **Antiseizure medications (ASMs):** Seizure prevention drugs such as Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin)
- **Antidepressants:** Tricyclics and SSRIs/SNRIs including amitriptyline, Prozac (fluoxetine), Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- **Antiemetics:** Drugs for nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Reglan (metoclopramide)
- **Antihistamines:** Allergy medications including Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- **Antipsychotics:** Drugs for schizophrenia, psychosis in bipolar disorder, depression, and [Alzheimer's diseas](https://www.verywellhealth.com/alzheimers-disease-7111202)e including [Abilify (aripiprazole)](https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-abilify-to-work-8553110), Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel (quetiapine)
- **Benzodiazepines:** Tranquilizers and sedatives such as Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam)
- **Blood pressure drugs:** Diuretics, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers including Lasix (furosemide), Avapro (irbesartan), verapamil HCL, Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate)
- **Muscle relaxants:** Including Soma (carisoprodol), Lorzone (chlorzoxazone), Amrix (cyclobenzaprine)
- **Sedatives:** Non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics such as Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone)
- **Statins:** Especially fat-soluble drugs including Lipitor (atorvastatin), lovastatin, Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin)
- **Steroids:** Used for inflammation, allergies, skin diseases, certain cancers, and after organ transplants. Some may cause insomnia, including prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone.
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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.
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:max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/BrandonPetersMD_1000-5143e542c3084368b1220c4b86ede01c.png)
By [Brandon Peters, MD](https://www.verywellhealth.com/brandon-peters-md-3014640)
Dr. Peters is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist and is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
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