According to research, more than a third of American workers suffer from extreme fatigue. One in five adults experiences excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) at least three days a week. Fatigue—a lack of physical or mental energy—can result from lifestyle, illnesses, sleep disorders, or mental health issues.
According to the family magazine service of Saed News, if you constantly feel tired and lethargic and are looking for solutions to address the cause of your fatigue, we recommend reading this article.
Symptoms of Persistent Fatigue
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and lack of sleep can significantly impact health. Often, fatigue isn't linked to serious conditions like cancer, but it can signal important health issues or other risks and problems.
For example, poor sleep quality can increase the likelihood of falling asleep while driving, cause hormonal imbalances, lead to weight gain, or result in chronic pain. Lack of sleep can disrupt quality of life. Some symptoms of sleep deprivation include:
Clumsiness and awkward movements
Depression
Learning difficulties
Sleepiness
Fatigue
Forgetfulness
Increased cravings for carbohydrates
Loss of motivation
Moodiness
Difficulty concentrating
Weight gain
Symptoms of Persistent Fatigue to Watch For
If your fatigue is accompanied by any of the following, contact your healthcare provider immediately:
Dizziness
Irregular heartbeat
Decreased urination
Upper abdominal pain
Shortness of breath
Severe headaches
Swelling of hands, feet, or ankles
Vision changes
Causes of Persistent Fatigue and Lethargy
A night or two of poor sleep, extreme stress, or unusual physical activity can make almost anyone feel this way. Under normal circumstances, the cause of fatigue and lethargy is likely one of the following:
Lifestyle factors
Common medical causes
Sleep disorders
Medication side effects
Common Medical Causes of Persistent Fatigue
Fatigue, general weakness, and sleepiness are symptoms associated with many illnesses. EDS symptoms may be linked to the following underlying causes:
Anemia
Autoimmune diseases
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Depression
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Heart disease
Infections
Menopause
Pregnancy
Thyroid diseases
These issues affect energy levels and lead to persistent fatigue and lethargy for various reasons. Energy levels can also change due to treatment side effects, as often seen with cancer and chemotherapy.
