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Chronic fatigue has become a common issue that affects many people, from young adults to the elderly. It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks and enjoy regular activities. While lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and stress are commonly known causes of chronic fatigue, some surprising causes are often overlooked.
Of course, understanding these causes is crucial to finding effective solutions for fatigue, restoring energy levels, and leading a holistic lifestyle. In this post, we’ll explore some of the lesser-known, surprising causes of chronic fatigue and offer tips on addressing them. So, let’s dive in and discover what’s behind your tiredness.
Typical Causes of Chronic Fatigue
First, there are several common culprits that many people may already be aware of. Lack of sleep is one of the most well-known causes of fatigue, and poor nutrition can also contribute to low energy levels.
Stress and anxiety can take a toll on the body, leading to fatigue, while a sedentary lifestyle can lead to muscle weakness and exhaustion. This final pair outlines best why quality downtime has a big impact on fatigue levels, while the former pair outlines proper nutrition and well-being as a worthy everyday goal to pursue.
However, these causes are by no means the only ones, and it’s essential to consider less obvious factors when tackling chronic fatigue.
Surprising Causes of Chronic Fatigue
For the main section, we may outline various lesser-known possible causes of chronic fatigue. In no particular order of prevalence or impact, consider the following.
Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders
First, undiagnosed sleep disorders can be a likely cause of chronic fatigue. APA explains that sleep disorders “involve problems with the quality, timing, and amount of sleep, which result in daytime distress and impairment in functioning.”
Such disorders can include, among others:
- Sleep apnoea, which APA explains, “involves breathing interruptions during sleep.” That is a condition where breathing stops repeatedly and starts during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and fatigue during the day.
- Restless legs syndrome. As the name suggests, this syndrome causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, often making it difficult to fall asleep and leading to daytime fatigue. APA notes it’s “usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, typically described as creeping, crawling, tingling, burning, or itching.”
- Narcolepsy. That is a neurological disorder that causes sudden sleep attacks during the day, leading to an ongoing feeling of tiredness. APA explains that “people with narcolepsy experience periods of an irrepressible need to sleep or lapsing into sleep multiple times within the same day.”
These and other sleep disorders can be difficult to identify and may require a sleep study for a proper diagnosis. If you’re experiencing persistent fatigue, it’s worth considering whether you have an undiagnosed sleep disorder and seeking medical advice to rule it out as a possible cause.
Chronic Infections
Next, chronic infections are another likely culprit. NIH’s “Medical Microbiology,” 4th edition, describes chronic infections in chapter 46 as follows:
“Chronic infection is characterized by the continued presence of infectious virus following the primary infection and may include chronic or recurrent disease.”
So, in brief, chronic infections are infections that remain in the body for a prolonged time. Chronic infections that may be surprising causes of chronic fatigue can include:
- Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection that can cause long-term symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive impairment.
- The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever or mononucleosis, can also lead to persistent fatigue, even after the acute illness has resolved.
- Hepatitis C, a viral infection that can lead to long-term liver damage, has also been associated with fatigue and other symptoms.
Suppose you’ve been diagnosed with one of these chronic infections and are experiencing fatigue. Working with your healthcare provider to manage the infection and address the associated symptoms is important in that case. These infections can be challenging to diagnose, so seeking medical advice is important if you’re experiencing persistent fatigue.
Hormonal Imbalances
Third, hormonal imbalances may also cause chronic fatigue. Healthline explains this condition as follows:
“Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. […] When you have a hormonal imbalance, you have too much or too little of a certain hormone.”
Such imbalances can come about through such disorders and conditions as:
- Thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism, can lead to an underactive thyroid gland, resulting in fatigue, weight gain, and depression.
- Adrenal fatigue. This controversial condition is caused by long-term stress and results in chronic fatigue, among other symptoms.
- Menopause is another potential cause of fatigue, as it can cause changes in hormone levels that affect energy levels.
Hormonal imbalances can be surprising causes of chronic fatigue, as they may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Still, they can play a significant role. If you’re experiencing persistent fatigue and other symptoms that could be related to hormonal imbalances, it’s worth speaking to your healthcare provider to investigate further.
Medications and Treatments
Finally, certain medications and treatments can also kindle chronic fatigue. Examples include:
- Chemotherapy and radiation are commonly used to treat cancer, as both can cause fatigue both during and after treatment.
- Blood pressure medication, particularly beta-blockers, can also cause fatigue as a side effect.
- Antidepressants, while often used to combat fatigue, can sometimes cause it as a side effect.
Just like with all the above cases, if you’re experiencing fatigue and taking any medications, it’s worth speaking to your healthcare provider about whether they could contribute to your symptoms. In some cases, switching to a different medication or adjusting the dosage may help alleviate fatigue. However, it’s important not to stop taking the medication without consulting your healthcare provider, which could lead to serious health consequences.
Environmental Toxins
Finally, environmental toxins can also cause or contribute to chronic fatigue. Such toxins can include:
- Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, can accumulate in the body over time and cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and muscle weakness.
- Mould and mycotoxins are commonly found in damp buildings, and they can cause respiratory problems and fatigue, among other symptoms.
- Pesticides are commonly used in agriculture and can harm health, including fatigue.
Such surprising causes of chronic fatigue may rarely come to mind because so few of us think about them. Still, if you suspect environmental toxins may contribute to your fatigue, it’s worth discussing this with your healthcare provider.
Ways to Address Chronic Fatigue
Finally, while no such advice should ever substitute for medical advice by healthcare professionals, here we can conclude by highlighting some basic steps you can consider to begin addressing chronic fatigue.
Lifestyle changes
For one, making lifestyle changes can effectively address chronic fatigue, including some of the surprising causes. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep are all important factors in maintaining good health and combating fatigue. In addition, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, staying hydrated, and spending time outdoors can all help boost energy levels.
Dietary adjustments
On the subject of diet, dietary adjustments can also play a crucial role in addressing chronic fatigue. Eliminating processed foods, reducing sugar and caffeine intake, and increasing the consumption of whole, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can all help improve energy levels. In addition, incorporating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish or chia seeds, can help reduce inflammation and improve brain function, increasing alertness and mental clarity.
Stress management techniques
Stress and anxiety may not be surprising causes of chronic fatigue, as most of us suspect them early, but they are still common culprits. Techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and regular exercise can all help reduce stress levels. Making time for enjoyable activities, adding natural light to your home, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from friends and family can also help manage stress. Managing stress effectively can reduce the impact of chronic fatigue and improve overall quality of life.
Medical treatment and therapy
Finally, some cases may be kindled by ongoing therapy or medication, as outlined above. While you should never quit any medication or therapy alone, if you experience continued fatigue, you may discuss it with your treatment provider and seek other solutions.
Conversely, lifestyle changes and self-care are insufficient for some individuals to address chronic fatigue, and medical treatment may be necessary. Depending on the underlying cause of the condition, including those highlighted above, treatments can include hormone therapy, antiviral medication, or antibiotics for bacterial infections. In some cases, psychological therapy may also help manage stress or anxiety contributing to fatigue.
Conclusion
In summary, chronic fatigue is a serious issue that can significantly impact a person’s life and well-being. Common causes include lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and stress, and more surprising causes of chronic fatigue include sleep disorders, hormonal imbalances, environmental toxins, and medication side effects.
Of course, we cannot overstress that you should not make decisions about your health without proper medical guidance. If you are experiencing chronic fatigue that doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes, it’s crucial to consult a medical professional. They can help you identify the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan to help you regain your energy and quality of life. In many cases, all that said, chronic fatigue is highly treatable. So don’t let chronic fatigue hold you back – take action and seek help today.
