Feeling tired all the time (fatigue) can stem from many medical conditions, including anemia, thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism), diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, heart/kidney disease, infections, autoimmune diseases, and even certain medications, with causes ranging from lifestyle factors like stress to serious chronic illnesses. Identifying the cause requires a doctor's diagnosis, as fatigue is a symptom, not a disease itself, and needs targeted treatment for resolution, according to the Mayo Clinic, Better Health Channel, and Cleveland Clinic.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition that can affect different parts of the body. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. The cause of ME/CFS is unknown. ME/CFS can affect anyone, including children.
Red Flags That Fatigue Might Be Something More
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium, are among the most common causes of unexplained fatigue. Vitamin D deficiencies affect over 50% of the global population, and approximately 12.5% have iron deficiency anemia.
Issues with specific organs could lead to severe fatigue. The thyroid, liver and brain are possible contributors, but heart and lung conditions are the most common cause. If this condition becomes serious, your doctor may recommend cardiac care or cardiopulmonary.
Evaluation of ME/CFS
The four Ps are problem solving, planning, prioritising and pacing. The aim is to think of the four Ps at the beginning of each day or week to help you manage your energy levels.
Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions that affect your heart muscle. If you have cardiomyopathy, your heart can't efficiently pump blood to the rest of your body. As a result, you may experience fatigue, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. Cardiomyopathy gets worse over time.
Profound and debilitating fatigue is the most common complaint reported among individuals with autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Anaemia is where you have fewer red blood cells than normal or you have an abnormally low amount of a substance called haemoglobin in each red blood cell. General symptoms of anaemia may include: extreme tiredness (fatigue) lack of energy (lethargy)
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
Self-help tips to fight tiredness
Most people with a terminal illness feel extreme or constant tiredness (fatigue). Try to pace yourself and save your energy for the activities that are most important to you. An occupational therapist may be able to help with equipment at home to reduce the energy needed for daily activities such as showering.
Fatigue indicators to include: time of incident, number of days into shift pattern, number of hours into shift, number of rest days in previous 14 day period, rest in previous 24 hours, amount of sleep in previous 72 hours, work activity, commute time.
Causes of tiredness and fatigue
stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby. hormonal changes (such as during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause) some illnesses, like glandular fever and COVID-19.
Unfortunately, because fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are related it is possible for CFS to be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, and vice versa. And you can have both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.