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Fatigue
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Symptoms

Fatigue

Fatigue is a persistent feeling of weariness or lack of energy that can interfere with daily activities and may signal an underlying health condition.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. It can interfere with your usual daily activities. Fatigue can be a normal response to physical activity, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. But sometimes it can be a sign of a mental or physical condition. If you have been feeling tired for weeks, contact your health care provider to find out what is causing your fatigue and how to relieve it.

What causes fatigue?

Fatigue itself is not a disease; it is a symptom. It can have many different causes, including pregnancy and various medical problems, treatments, and lifestyle habits:

  • Medical problems:
    • Chronic (long-lasting) diseases such as diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and heart, liver, kidney and thyroid diseases
    • Untreated pain and diseases like fibromyalgia
    • Anemia
    • Infections
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
    • Recent stroke
    • Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
  • Treatments:
    • Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants
    • Recovering from major surgery
    • Taking certain medicines, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and medicines for nausea and pain
  • Lifestyle habits:
    • Not getting enough sleep
    • Staying up too late
    • Drinking too much alcohol
    • Substance use
    • Having too much caffeine
    • Getting too little or too much exercise

Overwhelming fatigue is part of a disorder called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The fatigue caused by this disorder is different from a tired feeling that goes away after you rest; it lasts a long time, does not get better with rest, and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities.

What can I do to manage fatigue?

If you have had fatigue that does not get better after several weeks, call your provider for a physical exam and potential lab tests. You can also make lifestyle changes to feel less tired:

  • Get regular physical activity
  • Improve your sleep habits
  • Stop smoking
  • Manage stress
  • Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol

It also may be helpful to keep a fatigue diary to find patterns throughout the day and plan activities that may give you more energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic fatigue can stem from anemia, thyroid disorders, diabetes, heart disease, chronic infections (like Lyme disease), sleep apnea, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety also frequently present with fatigue.
If you notice symptoms like cold intolerance, hair loss, constipation, or a feeling of heaviness, or if your fatigue is accompanied by pallor, shortness of breath, or rapid heart rate, ask your provider for a complete blood count and thyroid function tests. Early detection can lead to simple treatments that restore energy.
If you feel exhausted for more than a few weeks, cannot improve with adequate sleep, experience unexplained weight changes, or have additional symptoms like shortness of breath, joint pain, or mood changes, it is time to see a clinician. A brief medical history and basic blood tests can often identify underlying causes.
im for 7–9 hours of sleep each night, keep a consistent sleep schedule, stay hydrated, eat balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs, limit caffeine and alcohol, and incorporate short bouts of moderate exercise such as brisk walking or stretching. Small, regular breaks during work can also prevent energy dips.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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