Excessive Fatigue Causes

If you feel tired all the time, there might be a medical reason for your being so exhausted. There are several common conditions that list fatigue as one of the identifying symptoms. Your unexplainable exhaustion could be a result of an infection or even a vitamin deficiency.

Not Enough Sleep

• The average adult needs between six to eight hours of sleep per night. If you're not getting enough sleep, or your sleep is often disturbed, your fatigue will catch up with you over time. Try to maintain a sleep regimen where you go to sleep at the same time every night and avoid drinking caffeinated beverages after 6 p.m. If you notice you cannot sleep through the night, try to figure out what is causing you to awaken---fixing this issue could in turn resolve your fatigue.

Mononucleosis

• Mononucleosis, more commonly referred to as Mono, is a viral infection that lasts anywhere from a week to several months and often causes extreme fatigue. Mono is most present in teens and young adults and is accompanied by a fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. Mono can usually be treated with at-home care. If you think you have mono, you should inform your doctor and have a blood test to determine whether or not you are infected.

Iron or B12 Deficiency

• If you have an iron deficiency (anemia) or vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia), you will likely experience fatigue as part of your symptoms. With these deficiencies, your blood is less able to carry oxygen throughout the body, resulting in severe fatigue, irritability, tingling in the arms and legs, shortness of breath and weakness. If you think you might be iron or B12 deficient, you should ask your doctor to perform a blood test. These deficiencies are often the result of other diseases or disorders and should not be ignored.

High or Low Thyroid

• Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are caused when the levels of thyroid horomone (TSH) produced by the body are either too high or too low. While fatigue is one of the main symptoms of hypothyroidism, people with hyperthyroidism can also feel exhausted as a side effect of the insomnia brought on by their condition. Blood tests that evaluate your TSH levels are used to determine if you are producing too much or too little thyroid hormone.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also called CFS, does not have a known cause but is believed to be a result of a previous infection. The main symptom includes chronic fatigue that lasts for a period longer than six months. It is often linked with other cognitive symptoms including short term memory loss. This disorder is more common in females. If you have been experiencing headaches, exhaustion for longer than six months and have significant problems with short term memory loss, you should consult a health professional.