Fatigue can have a wide range of causes. Persistent fatigue or exhaustion could have a medical cause. Fatigue usually turns into exhaustion when it becomes overwhelming, and rest and sleep don’t help you overcome it. Medical causes of fatigue or exhaustion can include anaemia, thyroid disorders, heart disease, and diabetes. Diseases that have fatigue as a symptom also include infectious diseases, liver disease, metabolic diseases, sleep apnoea, and adrenal insufficiency. In fact, even medical conditions that we think of as ‘less serious’, such as pollen allergies, can cause fatigue. Our lifestyle can also cause fatigue. Alcohol or drugs, or lack of regular exercise can also lead to fatigue or exhaustion. Stress built up at work can also cause fatigue. Finally, emotional worries, worrying about things, and stress can also lead to feeling tired. Fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems, such as depression and mental distress, and can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including irritability and lack of motivation.
There are many non-medical ways to beat feeling tired. These include eating healthily, increasing daily exercise, losing weight, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and cutting out caffeine and alcohol. Another way, however, is to include in the diet a supplement that has an energising effect, such as those containing arginine and malic acid.