What is fatigue?
We’re all familiar with feeling tired or exhausted, but fatigue goes beyond the kind of sleepiness that a good night’s rest can cure. It’s a persistent state of weariness that remains even when you’ve had enough sleep, often accompanied by a lack of energy and motivation. Fatigue is not a normal aspect of aging but usually signals an underlying issue. Around 1.5 million Australians consult their doctor each year because of ongoing fatigue.
Symptoms of fatigue
Fatigue can affect you physically, mentally and emotionally. Common symptoms include:,
- Constant daytime drowsiness
- Very low energy
- Headaches or dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Occasional hallucinations
- Becoming tired soon after starting an activity
- Poor motivation
- Loss of appetite
- Weakened immune system (e.g. more frequent illnesses)
- Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses
- Trouble maintaining focus or attention
- Slower reaction times and poor hand, eye coordination
- Low mood or irritability
- More frequent mistakes or errors
- Impaired decision-making and judgement
What causes fatigue?
Fatigue may stem from everyday habits or indicate a medical problem. Common triggers include:
Lifestyle factors
Causes of Fatigue can include
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive exercise
- Sleep disturbances (including oversleeping)
- Poor dietary habits
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Use of illicit drugs
- Certain medications (for allergies, blood pressure, depression, cancer treatment, muscle relaxation, pain relief, seizure control)
Medical conditions
Causes of Fatigue can include
- Anaemia
- Sleep apnoea or chronic insomnia
- Arthritis or fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Infections (e.g. cold and flu)
- Diabetes or thyroid disorders
- Eating or autoimmune disorders
- Hormonal imbalances
- Heart disease or liver disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema
- Obesity
Emotional factors
Causes of Fatigue can include
- Stress or burnout
- Boredom
- Grief
- Depression or anxiety
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Other mental health conditions
By understanding these causes and symptoms, you can work with your healthcare provider to identify, and address, the source of persistent fatigue.
How is fatigue diagnosed?
Pinpointing fatigue can be tricky because many factors may play a role. Your doctor might:
- Review your medical history, asking about recent surgeries, childbirth, new medications or major stressors (e.g. bereavement), as well as your fatigue symptoms.
- Conduct a physical exam to detect signs of hidden illnesses, and question you about your diet, sleep patterns and exercise habits.
- Request various tests, such as blood and urine analyses, X-rays or other imaging, to identify any physical contributors to your tiredness.
How is fatigue treated?
Treatment aims at the root cause of your fatigue. The approach your doctor recommends will depend entirely on what underlying condition they identify.
How to manage fatigue
In addition to any medical therapies, you can adopt several self-care strategies to help reduce fatigue. These often include:,
- Ensuring restful sleep each night
- Following a nutrient-rich diet
- Taking supplements when appropriate
- Avoiding junk foods
- Steering clear of caffeine in the afternoon and evening
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Practising mindfulness techniques like yoga or meditation
When should you see your doctor?
Make an appointment if you’ve felt fatigued for more than two weeks despite sufficient rest. You should also consult your doctor if you:
- Can’t identify any obvious cause for your tiredness
- Experience an unexplained fever
- Notice unintentional weight loss
- Feel unusually sensitive to cold
- Are having trouble sleeping
- Suspect you might be dealing with depression