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Fatigue
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/fatigue.html

Fatigue

Also called: Tiredness, Weariness
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Summary

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. It can interfere with your usual daily activities. Fatigue can be a normal response to physical activity, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. But sometimes it can be a sign of a mental or physical condition. If you have been feeling tired for weeks, contact your health care provider. They can help you find out what's causing your fatigue and recommend ways to relieve it.

What causes fatigue?

Fatigue itself is not a disease; it's a symptom. It can have many different causes, including pregnancy and various medical problems, treatments, and lifestyle habits such as:

  • Medical problems:
    • Chronic (long-lasting) diseases such as diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and heart, liver, kidney and thyroid diseases
    • Untreated pain and diseases like fibromyalgia
    • Anemia
    • Infections
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
    • Recent stroke
    • Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
  • Treatments:
    • Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants
    • Recovering from major surgery
    • Taking certain medicines, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and medicines for nausea and pain
  • Lifestyle habits:
    • Not getting enough sleep
    • Staying up too late
    • Drinking too much alcohol
    • Substance use
    • Having too much caffeine (which can keep you from getting a good night's sleep)
    • Getting too little or too much exercise

Overwhelming fatigue is part of a disorder called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The fatigue caused by this disorder is different from a tired feeling that goes away after you rest. Instead, the fatigue in ME/CFS lasts a long time, does not get better with rest, and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities.

What can I do to manage fatigue?

If you've had fatigue that does not get better after several weeks, call your provider. They will ask questions about your sleep, daily activities, appetite, and exercise. They will likely do a physical exam and order lab tests. Once they decide on a diagnosis, they can tell you what treatments might help.

You can also make some lifestyle changes to feel less tired:

  • Get regular physical activity
  • Improve your sleep habits
  • Stop smoking (if you smoke), since smoking is linked to many diseases that can cause fatigue
  • Manage stress
  • Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol

It also may be helpful for you to keep a fatigue diary. This can help you find patterns throughout the day, such as when you feel more tired and when you have more energy. It can also help you plan for activities that may give you more energy.

NIH: National Institute on Aging

Start Here

  • Fatigue (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Feeling Fatigued? Finding Possible Causes From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

  • IBD and Fatigue (Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)

Specifics

  • Cancer Fatigue From the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
  • Cancer Fatigue: Why It Occurs and How to Cope (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Genetics

  • Corticosteroid-binding globulin deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Fatigue From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Multimodal rehabilitation to improve quality of life and fatigue after radiotherapy...
  • Article: Effect of a nurse-led online patient support program on fatigue, sleep...
  • Article: Efficacy and safety of Lignosus rhinocerus (Cooke) Ryvarden TM02(®) supplementation for...
  • Fatigue -- see more articles

Older Adults

  • Fatigue in Older Adults From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Coping with cancer - managing fatigue (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Fatigue (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Fatigue

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Coping with cancer - managing fatigue
  • Fatigue

Related Health Topics

  • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Fatigue

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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