Feeling constantly tired and having no appetite are common symptoms that often occur together and can stem from various causes, ranging from minor, temporary issues like infections or lifestyle factors to more serious underlying medical or mental health conditions.
Fatigue and loss of appetite can be a symptom of various diseases. Anemia, cancer, infection, hypothyroidism may be manifested by weakness and decreased appetite in addition to some specific symptoms.
Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more lifestyle issues, such as poor sleep habits or lack of exercise. Fatigue can be caused by a medicine or linked to depression. Sometimes fatigue is a symptom of an illness that needs treatment.
Schedule a doctor's visit
Call for an appointment with a health care provider if resting, reducing stress, eating well and drinking plenty of fluids for two or more weeks hasn't helped your fatigue.
Common causes of tiredness and fatigue include: not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia) an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.
Fatigue red flags signal potentially serious issues beyond normal tiredness, including unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, confusion, or new neurological/joint problems alongside exhaustion. Other signs include fatigue worsening with activity, significant cognitive/mood changes, or lack of energy despite rest, suggesting conditions like infection, autoimmune disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues, warranting prompt medical evaluation.
Consistently low thiamine levels can negatively impact your heart, immune system and nervous system. Symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite and nerve damage can start in as little as three weeks.
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.
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.
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that measures various components of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This test is crucial for detecting conditions like anemia, which can cause extreme fatigue.
Self-help tips to fight tiredness
In some people, depression fatigue occurs from time to time, in others it's relentless. Its symptoms vary, too, showing up as everything from malaise, weakness, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, and muscle aches to whole-body exhaustion, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Low motivation can be a common symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. You can practice self-help and self-care as much as you can, but you may find that seeking professional help is more helpful for your emotions. Online therapy is beneficial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ovarian, lung, stomach and pancreatic cancers also commonly cause loss of appetite. Tumors release hormones that may distort your body's perception of hunger, making you feel full when you're not. The cancer may cause appetite-reducing symptoms such as nausea, pain, stress, depression and dehydration.
If Addison's disease is suspected, blood tests will be carried out. These are to measure the levels of sodium, potassium and cortisol in your body. A low sodium, high potassium or low cortisol level may indicate Addison's disease. You may need to see a hormone specialist (endocrinologist).
Good choices for nourishing drinks include milky drinks, especially if made using fortified milk. These include hot chocolate, milky coffee, malted milk drinks such Ovaltine or Horlicks and milkshakes. Smoothies and fruit juice are also nourishing drinks.
Fatigue becomes worrisome when it lasts over two weeks despite rest, significantly impacts daily activities, comes on suddenly without clear cause, or accompanies "red flag" symptoms like unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, fever, severe pain, unusual bleeding, or heart issues, signaling a need for prompt medical attention for potential underlying conditions like anemia, diabetes, sleep apnea, thyroid problems, or infections.
Dietary suggestions for fighting fatigue
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.
Individuals experiencing a deficiency often report feeling unusually tired or weak, even after adequate sleep. This symptom arises because a lack of B12 impairs the production of red blood cells, leading to fewer cells to transport oxygen throughout the body.
10 Unexpected Signs of a Vitamin D Deficiency
The right combination of vitamins can address both types of low energy levels. Certain vitamins like B12, iron, magnesium and Vitamin D directly impact parts of the energy production cycle. Deficiencies in these vitamins can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness and low energy.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
There are several possible causes of a loss of appetite. The most common causes are: Physical changes to your body. Emotional changes to your mental health.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.