Liang’s story “You better get up soon,” Dan called to his wife, Liang. “The grandchildren will be here in an hour for lunch.” “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Liang said. “I feel so tired. I’m not even sure I can get out of bed. I just don’t seem to have any energy — not even for my family.”
Everyone feels tired now and then. But, after a good night's sleep, most people feel refreshed and ready to face a new day. If, like Liang, you continue to feel tired for weeks, it's time to see your doctor. He or she may be able to help you find out what's causing your fatigue. In fact, your doctor may even suggest you become more active, as exercise may reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.
Some illnesses cause fatigue
Sometimes, fatigue can be the first sign that something is wrong in your body. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that affects the joints, often complain of fatigue. People with cancer may feel fatigued from the disease, treatments, or both.
Many medical problems and treatments can add to fatigue. These include:
Taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and medicines for nausea and pain
Having medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, or recovering from major surgery
Infections
Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Untreated pain and diseases like fibromyalgia
Anemia
Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
Managing a health problem may make the fatigue go away. Your doctor can help.
Can emotions cause fatigue?
Are you fearful about the future? Do you worry about your health and who will take care of you? Are you afraid you are no longer needed? Emotional stresses like these can take a toll on your energy. Fatigue can be linked to many conditions, including:
Anxiety
Depression
Grief from loss of family or friends
Stress from financial or personal problems
Feeling that you no longer have control over your life
Not getting enough sleep can also contribute to fatigue. Regular physical activity can improve your sleep. It may also help reduce feelings of depression and stress while improving your mood and overall well-being. Yoga, meditation, or cognitive behavioral therapy could also help you get more rest. Talk with your doctor if your mental well-being is affecting your sleep or making you tired.
What else causes fatigue?
Some lifestyle habits can make you feel tired. Here are some things that may be draining your energy:
Staying up too late. A good night's sleep is important to feeling refreshed and energetic. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
A good night's sleep is important to feeling refreshed and energetic. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Having too much caffeine. Drinking caffeinated drinks like soda, tea, or coffee late in the day can keep you from getting a good night's sleep. Limit the amount of caffeine you have during the day and avoid it in the evening.
Drinking caffeinated drinks like soda, tea, or coffee late in the day can keep you from getting a good night's sleep. Limit the amount of caffeine you have during the day and avoid it in the evening. Drinking too much alcohol. Alcohol changes the way you think and act. It may also interact with your medicines.
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Alcohol changes the way you think and act. It may also interact with your medicines. Eating junk food. Say "no thanks" to food with empty calories, like fried foods and sweets, which have few nutrients and are high in fat and sugars. Choose nutritious foods to get the energy you need to do the things you enjoy.
Say "no thanks" to food with empty calories, like fried foods and sweets, which have few nutrients and are high in fat and sugars. Choose nutritious foods to get the energy you need to do the things you enjoy. Getting too little or too much exercise. Regular exercise can boost your energy levels, but don’t overdo it.
Can boredom cause fatigue? Being bored can make you feel tired. That may sound strange, but it’s true. If you were very busy during your working years, you may feel lost about how to spend your time when you retire. When you wake up in the morning, you may see long days stretching before you with nothing planned. It doesn’t have to be that way. Engaging in social and productive activities that you enjoy, like volunteering in your community, may help maintain your well-being. Think about what interests you and what skills or knowledge you have to offer and look for places to volunteer. Read Participating in Activities You Enjoy for ways to find volunteer opportunities.
How can I feel less tired?
Some changes to your lifestyle can make you feel less tired. Here are some suggestions:
Keep a fatigue diary to help you find patterns throughout the day when you feel more or less tired.
to help you find patterns throughout the day when you feel more or less tired. Exercise regularly. Almost anyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity. If you have concerns about starting an exercise program, ask your doctor if there are any activities you should avoid. Moderate exercise may improve your appetite, energy, and outlook. Some people find that exercises combining balance and breathing (for example, tai chi or yoga) improve their energy.
Almost anyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity. If you have concerns about starting an exercise program, ask your doctor if there are any activities you should avoid. Moderate exercise may improve your appetite, energy, and outlook. Some people find that exercises combining balance and breathing (for example, tai chi or yoga) improve their energy. Try to avoid long naps (over 30 minutes) late in the day. Long naps can leave you feeling groggy and may make it harder to fall asleep at night. Read A Good Night’s Sleep for tips on getting better rest at night.
(over 30 minutes) late in the day. Long naps can leave you feeling groggy and may make it harder to fall asleep at night. Read A Good Night’s Sleep for tips on getting better rest at night. Stop smoking. Smoking is linked to many diseases and disorders, such as cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems, which can drain your energy.
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Smoking is linked to many diseases and disorders, such as cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems, which can drain your energy. Ask for help if you feel swamped. Some people have so much to do that just thinking about their schedules can make them feel tired. Working with others may help a job go faster and be more fun.
When should I see a doctor for fatigue?
If you’ve been tired for several weeks with no relief, it may be time to call your health care provider. He or she will ask questions about your sleep, daily activities, appetite, and exercise and will likely give you a physical exam and order lab tests.
Your treatment will be based on your history and the results of your exam and lab tests. Your doctor may prescribe medications to target underlying health problems, such as anemia or irregular thyroid activity. He or she may suggest that you eat a well-balanced diet and begin an exercise program.
What is chronic fatigue syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or ME/CFS, is a condition in which fatigue lasts six months or longer and is not related to other diseases or conditions. People with CFS experience symptoms that make it hard to do daily tasks like dressing or bathing. Along with severe fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest, CFS symptoms can include problems with sleep, memory and concentrating, pain, dizziness, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes. Learn more about CFS.
Read about this topic in Spanish. Lea sobre este tema en español.
For more information about fatigue
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
800-232-4636
888-232-6348 (TTY)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov
National Cancer Institute
800-422-6237
cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov
www.cancer.gov
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
888-644-6226
866-464-3615 (TTY)
info@nccih.nih.gov
www.nccih.nih.gov
MedlinePlus
National Library of Medicine
www.medlineplus.gov
This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
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