Fatigue

Summary

Everyone feels tired now and then. Sometimes you may just want to stay in bed. But, after a good night’s sleep, most people feel refreshed and ready to face a new day. If 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 and recommend ways to relieve it.

Fatigue itself is not a disease. Medical problems, treatments, and personal habits can add to fatigue. These include:

• Taking certain medicines, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and medicines for nausea and pain
• Having medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation
• Recovering from major surgery
• Anxiety, stress, or depression
• Staying up too late
• Drinking too much alcohol or too many caffeinated drinks
• Pregnancy

One disorder that causes extreme fatigue is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This fatigue is not the kind of tired feeling that goes away after you rest. Instead, it lasts a long time and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities.

NIH: National Institute on Aging

Specifics

• Cancer Fatigue: Why It Occurs and How to Cope Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Fatigue National Cancer Institute
• Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Fatigue Fighters in Sjogren’s Syndrome Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Fatigue National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Coping with cancer — managing fatigue Medical Encyclopedia

Genetics

• Corticosteroid-binding globulin deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Start Here

• Fatigue Medical Encyclopedia
• Feeling Fatigued? Finding Possible Causes National Institutes of Health

Older Adults

• Fatigue in Older Adults National Institute on Aging

Related Issues

• IBD and Fatigue Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America

Journal Articles

• Fatigue