Common Causes of Fatigue and What to Do About Them

Fatigue is a common symptom of many medical conditions that range in severity from mild to serious. Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. It isn’t the same as simply feeling drowsy or sleepy. When you’re fatigued, you have no motivation and no energy. Being sleepy may be a symptom of fatigue, but it’s not the same thing.

Types

There are different types of fatigue.

Physical fatigue: A person finds it physically hard to do the things they normally do or used to do, for example, climbing stairs. It includes muscle weakness. Diagnosis may involve a strength test.

Mental fatigue: A person finds it harder to concentrate on things and stay on task. The person may feel sleepy, or have difficulty staying awake while working.

What causes fatigue?

Lifestyle factors

Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward relief. Fatigue may be related to:

Use of alcohol or drugs

Excess physical activity

Jet lag disorder

Lack of physical activity

Lack of sleep

Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines

Unhealthy eating habits

Physical health conditions

Many medical conditions can also cause fatigue. Examples include:

anemia

arthritis

fibromyalgia

chronic fatigue syndrome

infections, such as cold and flu

Addison’s disease, a disorder that can affect your hormone levels

hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid

hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid

sleep disorders, such as insomnia

eating disorders, such as anorexia

autoimmune disorders

congestive heart failure

cancer

diabetes

kidney disease

liver disease

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

emphysema

Mental health issues

Fatigue can be linked to many emotions, including:

Anxiety

Depression

Grief from loss of family or friends

Stress from financial or personal problems

Feeling that you no longer have control over your life

Regular physical activity or exercise may help reduce feelings of depression and stress while improving your mood and overall well-being.

What are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce fatigue?

A number of measures can help lessen fatigue caused by daily activities. To help boost your energy levels and overall health:

drink enough fluids to stay hydrated

practice healthy eating habits

exercise on a regular basis

get enough sleep

avoid known stressors

avoid a work or social schedule that’s overly demanding

take part in relaxing activities, such as yoga

abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit drugs

When Should I See a Doctor for Fatigue?

If you've been tired for several weeks with no relief, it may be time to call your healthcare provider. He or she will ask questions about your sleep, daily activities, appetite, and exercise, and will likely give you a physical exam and order lab tests.

Your treatment will be based on your history and the results of your exam and lab tests. Your doctor may prescribe medications to target underlying health problems, such as anemia or irregular thyroid activity. He or she may suggest that you eat a well-balanced diet and begin an exercise program.

Moxibustion Can Help

Chinese medicine believes that while feeling tired, there are also symptoms such as poor appetite, thin stool, white and thick tongue coating, which are due to the heavy body moisture.In this case, moxibustion can play a very good effect.

Moxibustion at Zusanli point： 
Location：Located on the outside of the calf, 3 inches below the calf's nose, the calf's nose is connected with Jiexi, and the superficial layer is covered with the lateral sural cutaneous nerve.

Moxibustion for 15-20 minutes

Using smart moxibustion device, you can do moxibustion at any time and anywhere.