Fatigue often follows a period of mental or physical activity. Poor physical health, lack of rest, obesity, poor nutrition, stress, and emotional problems can cause a person to be weak, tired, or lethargic. Being weary, sleepy, and irritable are also signs. Other physical problems such as diseases, infections, respiratory disorders, anemia, cancer, alcoholism, and drug side effects can cause fatigue. So can psychological problems like depression and panic attacks.

A syndrome of chronic fatigue called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may last for months or years. Symptoms include weakness, muscle aches and pains, excessive sleep, despair, fever, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes. Insomnia and depression may also occur. Confusion, poor concentration, impaired thinking, and being forgetful are among the most disabling signs of CFS.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that there are four to ten cases of CFS per 100,000 adults in the U.S. Most cases occur in white women. No specific diagnostic tests are available for CFS. Some tests are simply used to rule out other causes of fatigue. Diagnosis is based on the patient's history of illness and ruling out other possible causes. Since the cause is unknown, healing treatments have yet to be resolved. Medical care simply relieves symptoms.

If you are chronically tired, and don't know why, seek medical attention. The cause of much fatigue can be found, and treated. Even if a cause cannot be found, strategies to keep up your strength can be recommended.

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