Experiencing fatigue every now and then is not a huge deal; however, if the feeling is reoccurring and lasts for two or more weeks, it could be a sign of something more serious. But what? With fatigue being a common symptom of various diseases, it can be difficult to narrow down the exact cause, but here are three common problems associated with fatigue.
1. Medication
Lots of over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed medications can cause you to feel drowsy or fatigued. If you recently started taking a new medication and you’re feeling more tired than usual, it’d be wise to speak with your doctor and find out whether the medication has anything to do with it.
2. Autoimmune disease
Anyone with multiple sclerosis, lupus, HIV/AIDS or any other autoimmune disease knows that fatigue is one of the most troubling symptoms. Of course, fatigue alone isn’t a sign that you have an autoimmune disease, but if you’re also experiencing joint pain, reoccurring rashes or hives, unwanted weight loss, and/or unexplained hair loss, you need to see your doctor right away.
3. Depression
If your fatigue is accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, inability to concentrate, loss of appetite and/or thoughts of suicide, there’s a good chance that you could be suffering from depression. Reach out to someone ASAP. If you have suicidal thoughts, get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 anytime.
