Most everyone has experienced fatigue or weariness at some time in his life. Episodes can be short-lived or extended but are usually temporary. However, there are times when fatigue can become a chronic condition affecting the quality of one's life and even limiting the ability to earn a living. The causes of fatigue vary, and the condition is often difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms are subjective, and physical findings are usually the result of an underlying cause rather than the actual state of fatigue.
Lifestyle
Consistently high levels of stress can contribute to a sense of weariness that can lead to fatigue. Additionally, an overloaded schedule with inadequate breaks or rest times can wear down the immune system and leave one susceptible to a cold or the flu. Poor eating habits such as not enough food, too much food or unhealthy food choices will add to a sense of being tired and run down when done consistently. While these lifestyle choices can lead to fatigue, changing behavior is often enough to reverse the process. Unfortunately, these lifestyle choices over the long-term can trigger other conditions such as heart disease and leave a person with permanent fatigue.
Chemical
Mistreating your body with alcohol, cigarettes or drugs can hinder the way your body functions. Drinking large amounts of caffeine or beverages containing sugar might help you stay awake for short periods, but there is usually a crash afterward resulting in a period of fatigue while the body recovers. Medications may induce a state of fatigue because of their affect on different systems. These prescriptions often warn against operating a vehicle or machinery while you are taking the medicine. Over-the counter drugs such as those used to treat cold symptoms may have a similar effect.
Physiological
When a part of the body in under attack from a virus or disease, the rest of the body works to fend off the attack and support the healing process. This can trigger an episode of severe fatigue causing a physician to run tests leading to discovery of the underlying illness. Heart disease, cancer, anemia will drain a person without being obvious. Imbalances such as high or low sugar levels, vitamin deficiencies or thyroid often reveal their presence through laboratory testing performed to rule out causes of fatigue.
Psychological
Throughout our lives, there is a mix of happy times and sad times. We all experience disappointment and success as well as joy and grief. How we process our experiences contributes to the quality level of our lives. Long periods of anxiety, stress, sadness and even disappointment can lead to fatigue especially if a person feels unable to change their circumstances or that the situation will never change. Family history, temperament and creativity levels can help a person cope and adapt to situations but may not be enough to ward off bouts of fatigue and maybe even apathy. A physician may also evaluate the emotional health of a patient who complains of fatigue, with or without a contributing illness. It is also common for patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis to experience bouts of fatigue.
Good Times Too
Fatigue can result from everyday activities as well. Pregnant women often feel tired from the physical changes within their bodies. People may experience fatigue after high levels of exertion such as in moving into a new home or completing a week of examinations at school. Returning to work after a week of vacation may leave a person in a state of fatigue because of increased activity, the stress of traveling or even time zone changes. If you do experience a bout of fatigue, take steps to care for yourself by getting some rest and eating well. If it continues or you experience other symptoms, see your physician for an evaluation that may rule out other causes.
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