12 causes of fatigue and how to fix it

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Fatigue is considered a nonspecific symptom because it is not usually associated with a specific disease. However, in some cases, fatigue is a symptom of an underlying medical problem that requires medical treatment. Here are 12 causes of fatigue and how to fix it.

1. Characteristics and causes of fatigue

Fatigue is a general perception of weakness or a feeling of fatigue, exhaustion or exhaustion. Sometimes fatigue is the feeling of being lethargic or lacking in energy when you're resting. People may feel physically or mentally tired. However, in many cases, these things happen together.
Physical fatigue is a decrease in the ability to maintain physical activity or the inability to initiate physical tasks. However, mental fatigue is characterized by difficulties with concentration, memory, and emotional stability.
It is important to distinguish between daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Drowsiness is the inability to be fully awake during the day, while fatigue is a subjective lack of physical or mental energy that interferes with daily activities. Daytime sleepiness is a key feature of obstructive sleep apnea.
Fatigue should be distinguished from shortness of breath and muscle weakness. Shortness of breath is the feeling of not being able to breathe normally. Muscle weakness means a lack of muscle strength and is associated with a number of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Of course, patients with shortness of breath and muscle weakness may also complain of fatigue.
1.2. Chronic Fatigue and Causes of Fatigue Fatigue duration can be recent (less than one month), long-lasting (more than one month) or chronic (more than six months).
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) / Myalgic myositis (ME) Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myelitis myelitis (ME) is a disorder characterized by chronic fatigue . The disorder has no obvious cause.
Chronic fatigue is also named systemic exercise intolerance disease (SEID) to better reflect the hallmark of that condition, post-exercise discomfort. Post-exercise malaise describes a large burst of energy following a relatively minor exertion.
Chronic fatigue is a heterogeneous disorder. Key clinical features include:
Onset may be sudden, often associated with typical infections such as upper respiratory tract infection or mononucleosis, or be gradual over several months. Excessive fatigue associated with other symptoms (eg, altered sleep and cognition).

A recent study suggests that blockage of an important metabolic enzyme may explain the lack of energy and other symptoms of chronic fatigue patients. Research shows that patients with chronic fatigue have reduced levels of amino acids that promote oxidative metabolism, leading to impaired function of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), an enzyme important for converting carbohydrates to energy. As a result, cells can switch to consuming alternative fuels, causing a sudden lack of energy in the muscle and a build-up of lactate, with the patient experiencing a burning sensation in the muscles after mild exertion.
There is no specific diagnostic test for chronic fatigue. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, further supported by several nonspecific tests. The absence of cognitive dysfunction should exclude chronic fatigue as a potential diagnosis.
Chronic Idiopathic Fatigue The first step in evaluating a patient with chronic fatigue is to screen for an underlying psychiatric or medical illness. If no such disorders are found and the patient does not meet the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), they may be considered to have idiopathic chronic fatigue syndrome. The word 'idiopathic' reflects an unknown underlying cause.
Disability rates and healthcare needs are similar for patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue.
Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by radiating non-cyclical pain, stiffness, and fatigue.
Fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. It is most commonly expressed when the patient wakes up in the morning. Even small activities can aggravate fatigue.
1.3. Fatigue caused by underlying medical conditions Fatigue can be caused by a number of underlying medical conditions. However, among patients with chronic fatigue, only a small percentage (about 10%) have an underlying medical disorder that is the primary cause of their symptoms.
Laboratory studies should include complete blood count, chemistry checks (electrolytes, glucose, liver and kidney function tests), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and creatine kinase if pain is present. or muscle weakness. Screening for hepatitis C virus infection as well as HIV screening . These tests reveal that most common medical disorders are likely to cause fatigue.

Metabolic disease Hypothyroidism and diabetes are examples of endocrine disorders that cause fatigue.
Several other endocrine and metabolic disorders are associated with fatigue. Examples include hypogonadism, hyperparathyroidism with accompanying hypercalcemia, adrenal insufficiency (adrenal fatigue), lethargic hyperthyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, and glucocorticoid resistance.
Chronic infections Some chronic infections can cause fatigue. Examples include endocarditis (heart valve infection), tuberculosis, mononucleosis, hepatitis, parasitic diseases, HIV and cytomegalovirus infections.
Additional laboratory tests may be needed to detect these disorders.
Autoimmune disorders Sometimes, in response to an unknown trigger, the immune system can start producing antibodies that attack the body's own tissues. This can lead to a chronic inflammatory response and is characteristic of most autoimmune disorders.
Examples of autoimmune disorders are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus, SLE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, syndrome Guillain-Barre, psoriasis, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and myasthenia gravis.
Fatigue is a major component of autoimmune disorders. Fatigue, described as “devastating” and “prevents them from doing the simplest of everyday tasks,” is a major problem for many patients, affecting almost every aspect of their lives. .
Cancer Chronic fatigue is common in people with cancer and can often be the most worrisome symptom. This type of fatigue is sometimes called cancer-related fatigue or cancer fatigue.
Fatigue is now overshadowing the pain and nausea/vomiting is one of the scariest symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment.
Cancer-related fatigue can be caused by the disease itself. Sometimes, fatigue is the first symptom of cancer. However, people with late-stage cancer are often more fatigued than those in the early stages.
Cancer-related fatigue may also be related to other factors such as anemia, anxiety, depression, and side effects of treatment.

Nervous System Diseases Central Nervous System : Several neurological conditions may be associated with fatigue. For example, fatigue is often a prominent symptom in patients with stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. It is important to look for symptoms or signs of CNS disease when evaluating patients with chronic fatigue. Neuromuscular: Fatigue can be present in a number of neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Post-Polypolio Syndrome (PPS), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Neuroimmunopathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Myasthenia gravis (MG), Metabolic Myopathy, Mitochondrial Myopathy, Muscular Dystrophy, Facial Muscular Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy. 1.4. Psychological Fatigue Anxiety and depression are common causes of fatigue. Fatigue is often persistent but can vary in intensity.
Up to three-quarters of patients with chronic fatigue also have mood or anxiety disorders. It has even been suggested that chronic fatigue is an atypical form of anxiety or depression. In other words, chronic fatigue could just be another form of anxiety or depression.
Some people with depression experience a complete lack of energy, sometimes called 'anergia pain'.
There is evidence that depression can make people tired afterwards. On the other hand, fatigue and depression are linked. Their association may in part be due to some common risk factors that give rise to both. For some, fatigue comes first; For others, depression will come first, but for most, the symptoms will probably not be obvious.
1.5. Drug Fatigue Fatigue is thought to be a common side effect of many common medications. These can be both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Many medications used to treat high blood pressure are associated with fatigue. Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins can also cause fatigue. Statin drugs are used by millions of people worldwide and are also known to cause muscle pain and weakness in some people.
Antihistamines, commonly used to treat allergies, are known to cause fatigue.
Treatment with benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics has also been associated with fatigue. The same is true for opioid medications commonly used for pain relief.

2. 12 causes of fatigue and how to fix it

2.1. Cause
1: Not getting enough sleep This seems obvious and can negatively affect your focus and health. Adults should get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Fix: Make sleep a priority and keep a regular schedule. Do not use laptops, cell phones and TVs in your bedroom.
2.2. Cause
2: Sleep Apnea Some people think they've had enough sleep, but sleep apnea gets in the way. It makes you stop breathing for a short time throughout the night. Each interruption will wake you up momentarily, but you may not be aware of it. As a result, you are sleep deprived.
Fix: Lose weight if you are overweight, quit smoking and you may need a CPAP device to help keep your airways open while you sleep.
2.3. Cause
3: Not having enough energy Eating too little causes fatigue, but eating the wrong foods can also be a problem. Eating a balanced diet helps keep your blood sugar in the normal range and prevents feeling sluggish when your blood sugar drops.
Fix: Always eat breakfast and try to include protein and complex carbs in each meal. Also eat small meals and snacks throughout the day for sustained energy.
2.4. Cause 4: Anemia Anemia is one of the leading causes of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause iron deficiency, which puts women at risk.
Fix: For iron deficiency anemia, iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods, such as lean meats, liver, shellfish, beans and nutrient-rich whole grains, can be helpful. .

2.5. Cause 5: Depression You may think of depression as an emotional disorder, but it also contributes to many physical symptoms. Fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite are among the most common symptoms.
Fix: Depression responds well to talk therapy or antidepressants.
2.6. Cause 6: Hypothyroidism The thyroid is a small gland in your neck. It controls your metabolism, the rate at which your body converts fuel into energy. When your glands are underactive and your metabolism is too slow, you can feel sluggish and gain weight.
Fix: If blood tests confirm your thyroid hormone is low, synthetic hormones can help.
2.7. Cause
7: Caffeine Overload Caffeine can improve alertness and focus in moderate doses. But too much can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and restlessness. And research shows that too much actually causes fatigue in some people.
Fix: Gradually cut back on coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and any medications that contain caffeine. Stopping suddenly can cause caffeine withdrawal and more fatigue.
2.8. Cause
8: Urinary Tract Infections If you've ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you're probably familiar with the burning pain and sense of urgency. Urine tests can quickly confirm a UTI.
Fix: Antibiotics are the cure for UTIs and the feeling of fatigue usually goes away within a week.
2.9. Cause
9: Diabetes In people with diabetes, abnormally high levels of sugar stay in the blood instead of entering the body's cells, where it is converted into energy. If you have persistent, unexplained fatigue, ask your doctor about getting tested for diabetes.
Fix: Treatments for diabetes may include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, insulin therapy, and diabetes medications.

2.10. Cause
10: Dehydration Your fatigue could be a sign of dehydration. Whether you're exercising or doing a desk job, your body needs water to function properly and stay cool. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
Fix: Drink water during the day so that the urine is light in color. Drink at least two glasses of water every hour or so before scheduled physical activity.
2.11. Cause
11: Cardiovascular Disease Fatigue can be a sign of underlying heart disease. Therefore, it is important to look for symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath).
The most common heart attack symptom in men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, only half of women who have a heart attack experience chest pain. Women are more likely to have back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, or trouble breathing.
Patients with chronic heart failure often experience fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, and fluid retention.
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is weakened and cannot do its job of pumping enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. In some cases, the pumping capacity of the myocardium is preserved, but the left ventricle becomes distended due to decreased compliance and impaired relaxation, resulting in increased filling pressure in the left ventricle.
Heart failure is caused by an underlying heart disease that causes damage to the heart muscle and/or increased stiffness of the left ventricle. Hypertension, coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and valvular disorders are the most common causes of heart failure.
Fix it: Lifestyle changes, medications, and treatments can help keep your heart disease under control and restore your energy.
2.12. Cause
12: Shift-Working Sleep Disorders Night shifts or shifts can disrupt your internal clock. You may feel tired when you need to stay awake. And you may have trouble sleeping during the day.
Fix: Limit exposure to daylight when you need a break. Make your room dark, quiet and cool. Are you still having trouble sleeping? Talk to your doctor.

3. When you need to see a doctor?

Contrary to many other medical symptoms, fatigue is a perfectly normal phenomenon in specific situations. We can all experience fatigue, but it usually gets better with rest or enough sleep. However, if fatigue becomes chronic, it is a medical symptom that requires intervention to manage.
Up to three-quarters of patients with chronic fatigue also have mood or anxiety disorders.
If no underlying medical or psychiatric condition is found, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) should be considered.
Patients with no underlying medical or psychiatric condition and who do not meet the criteria for CFS or fibromyalgia may be considered to have idiopathic chronic fatigue.
Treatment of fatigue will depend on the underlying cause.
General measures should focus on sleep, healthy diet, regular exercise and stress reduction.

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Reference source: webmd.com