Quick fix foods, such as chocolate bars or caffeinated drinks, only offer a temporary energy boost that quickly wears off and worsens fatigue. Individual factors — personal illness or injury, illnesses or injuries in the family, too many commitments for example, working two jobs or financial problems can cause fatigue. Workplace-related causes of fatigue Common workplace issues that can cause fatigue include: Shift work — the human body is designed to sleep during the night.
This pattern is set by a small part of the brain known as the circadian clock. A shift worker confuses their circadian clock by working when their body is programmed to be asleep. These may include long work hours, hard physical labour, irregular working hours such as rotating shifts , a stressful work environment such as excessive noise or temperature extremes , boredom, working alone with little or no interaction with others, or fixed concentration on a repetitive task.
Workplace stress — can be caused by a wide range of factors including job dissatisfaction, heavy workload, conflicts with bosses or colleagues, bullying, constant change, or threats to job security. Burnout — can be described as striving too hard in one area of life while neglecting everything else. Unemployment — financial pressures, feelings of failure or guilt, and the emotional exhaustion of prolonged job hunting can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue.
Psychological causes of fatigue Studies suggest that psychological factors are present in at least 50 per cent of fatigue cases. These may include: Depression — this illness is characterised by severe and prolonged feelings of sadness, dejection and hopelessness.
People who are depressed commonly experience chronic fatigue. Anxiety and stress — a person who is chronically anxious or stressed keeps their body in overdrive. The constant flooding of adrenaline exhausts the body, and fatigue sets in. Grief — losing a loved one causes a wide range of emotions including shock, guilt, depression, despair and loneliness.
Diagnosing fatigue As fatigue can present a vast range of symptoms and be caused by many different factors working in combination, diagnosis can be difficult. Your doctor may diagnose fatigue using a number of tests including: Medical history — recent events such as childbirth, medication, surgery or bereavement may contribute to fatigue. Physical examination — to check for signs of illness or disease. Your doctor may also ask detailed questions about diet, lifestyle and life events.
Tests — such as blood tests, urine tests, x-rays and other investigations. The idea is to rule out any physical causes, for example anaemia, infection or hormonal problems.
A stressful emotional situation may also cause fatigue. This type of fatigue usually clears up when the stress is relieved. Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause weakness or fatigue. The use of alcohol, caffeine, or illegal drugs can cause fatigue. A visit to a doctor usually is needed when fatigue occurs along with more serious symptoms, such as increased breathing problems, signs of a serious illness, abnormal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss or gain.
Fatigue that lasts longer than 2 weeks usually requires a visit to a doctor. This type of fatigue may be caused by a more serious health problem, such as:. If fatigue occurs without an obvious cause, it is important to evaluate your mental health.
Fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression. Fatigue and depression may become so severe that you may consider suicide as a way to end your pain. If you think your fatigue may be caused by a mental health problem, see your doctor. Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor.
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:.
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. Symptoms of serious illness may include:. Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following:. Symptoms of a heart attack may include:. For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure.
But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. Neurological symptoms —which may be signs of a problem with the nervous system—can affect many body functions. Symptoms may include:. Heartbeat changes can include:. Many prescription and non-prescription drugs can cause weakness and fatigue.
A few examples are:. Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call or other emergency services now. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength mg or 2 to 4 low-dose 81 mg aspirin.
Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. If you have generalized weakness and fatigue along with other symptoms, evaluate those symptoms.
Home treatment for your other symptoms usually will improve your weakness and fatigue. Mild generalized weakness and fatigue that occur with a viral illness usually improve with the following home treatment measures. If generalized weakness and fatigue are not related to another illness, follow the guidelines in the Prevention section and be patient.
It may take a while for you to feel energetic again. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. Mild fatigue can often be prevented by changes in lifestyle habits. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:.
While you are waiting for your appointment, it may be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Chronic fatigue syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Feb, 4, Merck Manual Professional Version. Goldman L, et al. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and myofascial pain.
In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Bierle DM expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. July 31, Effects of chronic exercise on feelings of energy and fatigue: a quantitative synthesis.
Psychol Bull. Randomised controlled trial of patient education to encourage graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. Does methylphenidate reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome? Am J Med. Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Price JR, Couper J. Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatique syndrome in adults.
Interventions for the treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review [published correction appears in JAMA. Treating patients with medically unexplained symptoms in primary care. Why do primary care physicians propose medical care to patients with medically unexplained symptoms?
A new method of sequence analysis to test theories of patient pressure. This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Contact afpserv aafp. Want to use this article elsewhere?
Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Previous: Evaluation of Scrotal Masses. Nov 15, Issue. Fatigue: An Overview. A 16 — 18 , 32 , 43 , 44 , 46 There is no evidence that exercise therapy worsens outcomes. B 22 , 49 A six-week trial is recommended to evaluate effectiveness. A 22 , 47 , 48 — Stimulants seldom return patients to predisease performance. B 21 , 45 Stimulants are associated with headaches, restlessness, insomnia, and dry mouth.
Patient questionnaire for differentiating between sleepiness and fatigue. Regular bedtimes are associated with better sleep patterns. What time do you fall asleep? Many patients read or watch television in bed before falling asleep.
After you lie down, how long does it take you to fall asleep? Do you leave the television or radio on as you are attempting to fall asleep? After falling asleep, what time do you first wake up? What awakens you? Does the patient wake up due to pain or the urge to urinate?
How often do you use the bathroom at night? Do you have pain at night? How long does it take you to return to sleep after waking up? What time do you get out of bed in the morning?
Do you feel rested in the morning? Was sleep restorative? Do you nap during the day? What time of day does the patient nap and for how long? What medications do you take? Do you drink alcohol or use other drugs? Do you exercise? What time of day?
Evening exercise tends to be stimulating and may increase sleep latency. Table 3 Selected Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Cardiopulmonary: congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, atypical angina Disturbed sleep: sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, allergic or vasomotor rhinitis Endocrine: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, pituitary insufficiency, hypercalcemia, adrenal insufficiency, chronic kidney disease, hepatic failure Infectious: endocarditis, tuberculosis, mononucleosis, hepatitis, parasitic disease, human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus Inflammatory: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus Medication use e.
Table 4 Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Major criteria: At least six months' duration; does not resolve with bed rest; reduces daily activity to less than 50 percent; other conditions have been excluded Physical criteria: Low-grade fever; nonexudative pharyngitis; lymphadenopathy Minor criteria: Sore throat; mild fever or chills; lymph node pain; generalized muscle weakness; myalgia; prolonged fatigue after exercise; new-onset headaches; migratory noninflammatory arthralgia; sleep disturbance; neuropsychological symptoms e.
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