The Causes of Extreme Fatigue

Although the causes of extreme fatigue may be different for everyone, the effects are usually pretty much the same. You feel as though you're 'running on empty' and every day is a struggle....

Simple things such as a reaction to medication or a bout of insomnia can cause extreme fatigue, but so can many health conditions - some of them serious.

Common Causes Of Extreme Fatigue

Many times a constant feeling of exhaustion can be caused by something that you're doing regularly. These can include -

1. Taking Certain Medications
   Some medicines can cause drowsiness, or even extreme sleepiness. The most common ones include antihistamines, bronchodilators such as theophylline (used to treat asthma and other lung conditions), anti-arrhythmia drugs used for certain heart problems, blood-pressure medications, some antibiotics, and even nicotine patches/gum.

   Other medications for psychological conditions such as depression or anxiety and, ironically, many insomnia medications - including over-the-counter sleep aids



2. Lifestyle/Routine
   Many of us are so busy that we tend to think of sleep as a 'luxury' rather than the necessity that it really is! Lifestyle choices such as staying up late or working too hard, or conversely not getting enough exercise and leading a sedentary (or 'couch potato' style) life, even eating the wrong foods, drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks, or smoking, can all be causes of extreme fatigue.


3. Medical Conditions
   There are a whole host of different illnesses and diseases that can result in ongoing and severe fatigue. In addition to the sleep disorder narcolepsy, which causes bouts of overwhelming sleepiness, other physical conditions which can be causes of extreme fatigue include
   • Anemia
   • Hypoglycemia
   • Lyme Disease
   • Chronic Hepatitis
   • Heart disease
   • Kidney failure
   • Thyroid problems
   • Obesity
   • Fibromyalgia
   • Liver failure
   • Emphysema
   • Cancer
   • Epilepsy
   • Diabetes
   • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

   Although they're not considered 'illnesses', both pregnancy and menopause can also be accompanied by feelings of a draining fatigue.

   In addition, some psychological conditions including schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, PSTD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and grief can make you feel chronically exhausted.

   Having an autoimmune disease such as Lupus or HIV also puts you at risk of extreme fatigue.



4. Injury or Surgery - If you've been injured or have had surgery, these can also be causes of extreme fatigue. The effects of the anesthesia can stay in your body for up to 48 hours making you tired and weak. The trauma and stress to your body, plus living with pain (short term or chronic) are additional, and often related, causes of fatigue.

Really, when you see how many common causes of extreme fatigue exist, I think it's surprising that we're not all totally exhausted every day!

Extreme Fatigue - Not Just A Symptom!

But sometimes extreme fatigue isn't related to, or in response to, a separate illness, lifestyle choice or health issue.

If you've felt constantly exhausted, all day, for at least 6 months, and your doctor has ruled out any physical or psychiatric cause for your extreme fatigue - then you may be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS).

This condition is also often known as chronic Epstein Barr Virus Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue syndrome, immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS).

The many names given to this condition, reflects it's complexity. It's only in fairly recent years that the chronic fatigue experienced by people without underlying health issues, has been taken seriously and accepted as a 'real' physiological condition rather than a psychological or 'imaginary' one.

CFS is now known to be one of the accepted causes of severe fatigue, and there are many treatment options available and tons of advice on living with and overcoming this problem.

See my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms page for lots of information and advice on recognizing and treating this condition.

Causes of Extreme Fatigue - Final Words!

None of us can enjoy life when we're half-asleep, and life is tough enough without battling exhaustion every day.

Ruling out (or getting treatment for) any physiological causes of extreme fatigue, or making those important changes in your daily routine and life choices, is the first step towards increasing your energy levels.

And once your energy comes back, life will be so much more enjoyable!

Find out more about sleep, sleep problems or any other sleep-related topic you can think of by using this search box...

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