Maybe you feel it when you just wake up, maybe it’s at 3:00 p.m. while you’re at work, or perhaps it’s something you feel nearly all day, every day—chronic fatigue.
That slow-moving, foggy-brained feeling can be draining after a while. You might not even realize you’re operating at a slower pace than usual. You try to go to bed earlier, you drink more coffee, but nothing seems to work. Sometimes figuring out the root cause of why you’re feeling so tired can help you take action to feel better.
Causes of fatigue
Let’s break down some of the causes of why you could be feeling especially fatigued lately.
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Lack of quality sleep
The important word here is “quality.” You may be trying your best to prioritize your sleep and get to bed early, but even if you’re sleeping eight or more hours, the quality of your sleep may not be sufficient.
Are you feeling restless, having lots of dreams? Do you wake up sweating or feeling like you didn’t get proper rest? It may be worth getting a sleep test done to see if there are any other underlying causes, such as sleep apnea.
Insufficient nutrition
A healthy diet goes a long way in many areas of our day-to-day health, and having the proper energy is one of them. If you haven’t been getting enough essential vitamins, minerals and proteins lately, consider adding them to your daily routine.
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Eating healthy can be expensive and time-consuming, so do what you can. Maybe that’s adding a multivitamin or replacing your chips with an apple.
Sometimes, particular conditions can also affect our energy, such as anemia. Talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to see if there’s anything off that could be improved with the right diet.
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Stress
Stress has a ripple effect on the body—it can affect how we think, move, operate and heal. High cortisol levels can make it harder for us to recover from illness or absorb all the healthy things we do throughout the day.
Addressing your stress with self-care practices (in addition to medical or clinical approaches like therapy and medication) can help you restore your energy back to its normal place.
Medications
Have you started taking a new medicine recently? Maybe it’s just your over-the-counter antihistamine to combat allergy season, or maybe it’s a new antidepressant.
Adding medications to our bodies can sometimes create fatigue as a side effect. If your body doesn’t adjust over time, or if the side effects are severe, speak with your healthcare provider about some alternatives.
Mental health
Whether you’ve been properly diagnosed by a clinician or not, mental health conditions can manifest in all kinds of ways. It can certainly impact our energy.
Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders can lead to ongoing fatigue. They may impact sleep patterns as well, throwing off your natural ability to rest and restore. Be sure to seek the help of a healthcare professional (or even a trusted friend who can help you find the right care) so you can get treatment.
Chronic illnesses
Some chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders, can leave you feeling particularly tired.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition (or have just been diagnosed with one), it’s important to speak with your healthcare professional to find a plan to help combat the fatigue that comes with it. Don’t beat yourself up—it’s not your fault, and some days you may need to simply rest and recover.
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Pre-menstrual syndrome or PMDD
Sometimes, right before getting your period, you can feel a wave of symptoms, including fatigue. While this is normal, sometimes it can get to an extreme, where you may also be feeling depressed, anxious, and other draining effects.
If you feel like your PMS is a little more intense than you’d like, talk to your mental health professional or doctor. You could be dealing with Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a more intense version of typical PMS. You might address it by working with your doctor to get treatment with medication or finding a plan to help prepare your body for this each cycle.
Fatigue can have various, multiple underlying causes. It can be daunting trying to identify the specific reason for your fatigue, and sometimes you need the help of a healthcare professional to pinpoint it. Working with your healthcare team and monitoring your fatigue, sleep patterns, and overall well-being can be helpful when it comes to finding a solution.
Chronic Fatigue FAQ
Why am I so tired for no reason?
Feeling tired for no apparent reason is a common complaint and can stem from several everyday factors. Poor sleep habits, chronic stress, inadequate nutrition, dehydration, and lack of physical activity are frequent culprits. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can also cause persistent fatigue, even if you’re getting enough rest. If fatigue continues without improvement, it could be a sign of an underlying medical issue.
What health issues cause extreme fatigue?
Several health conditions are known to cause extreme fatigue. These include anemia, thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), heart disease, and autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to ongoing tiredness. Mental health disorders, especially depression and anxiety, frequently lead to a constant sense of exhaustion.
What are three warning signs of fatigue?
There are a few key warning signs that chronic fatigue may be more than just temporary tiredness. These include persistent low energy even after rest, difficulty concentrating or experiencing “brain fog,” and noticeable mood changes such as increased irritability. These signs may indicate that your body is under more strain than it can handle.
What are the red flags of fatigue?
Some red flags associated with fatigue suggest the need for medical attention. These include unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, night sweats, or recurring infections. If any of these symptoms accompany your chronic fatigue, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to rule out more serious conditions.
