What Are the Causes of Fatigue & Lack of Energy?

Fatigue means exhaustion, lack of energy or tiredness, and is not an illness but a symptom or side effect of another condition or possible illness. Fatigue can be due to boredom, lack of exercise, stress, working too hard, lack of sleep and worry. Severe, persistent fatigue without an obvious physical cause is diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); it starts with flu-like symptoms and can last for six months or more.

Drugs and Medication

• Always check with a doctor to confirm the possibility of fatigue due to a medication.

  Caffeine, alcohol and illegal substances can cause side effects, including fatigue. Many medications can cause fatigue. For example, prescribed medications that can cause fatigue include heart and blood pressure medicines, which may decrease the pumping of the heart, slow down the nervous system and/or reduce the body's mineral intake. Also, anti-anxiety medications, chemotherapy drugs, cold formulas, allergy medications and stimulant drugs may cause fatigue in some individuals.

Disease

• Disease and fatigue can be connected to any part of the body.

  Fatigue is a common symptom of many diseases since they can cause the body's autoimmune system to work harder than normal and can also decrease nutrient and oxygen levels leading to weakness. Examples of diseases and disorders that cause fatigue are HIV/AIDS, autoimmune disorders, cancer, Lyme disease, Crohn's disease, diabetes types 1 and 2, gallbladder disease, heart disease, hepatitis, inflammatory diseases, Parkinson's disease, thyroid disorders, iron-deficiency anemia and multiple sclerosis.

Diet and Exercise

• Exercise can reduce fatigue

  A poor diet that doesn't include essential nutrients can induce fatigue. Caffeine, which is often used as a quick fix for fatigue, will make the condition worse when it wears off. Inactivity can contribute to fatigue, which can be reversed by exercising to improve fitness and overall health and well-being.