Categories

Tiredness (Fatigue): Causes, Tests, and Treatment

Lifestyle habits

Certain lifestyle factors can contribute to fatigue. Some of which include:

  • Stress
  • Poor diet
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Burnout
  • Illegal drug use
  • Inactive (sedentary) lifestyle
  • Sleep disorders
  • Jet lag

Severe fatigue can also be traced to certain sleep disorders, which lead to long-term exhaustion. These may include:

  • Sleep apnea
  • Insomnia
  • Narcolepsy
  • Shift work sleep disorder

Prescription medications and treatments

Certain prescription medications can cause fatigue, including:

  • Benzodiazepines
    Anxiolytics
  • Sedative-hypnotics
  • Opioids
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antipsychotics
  • Beta-blockers

Other medications and treatments that can cause fatigue include:

  • Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, including antihistamines
  • Chemotherapy [1]
  • Bone marrow transplants