Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more lifestyle issues, such as poor sleep habits or lack of exercise. Fatigue can be caused by a medicine or linked to depression. Sometimes fatigue is a symptom of an illness that needs treatment.

Lifestyle factors

Fatigue may be related to:

  1. Alcohol or drug use
  2. Eating poorly
  3. Medicines, such as ones used to treat allergies or coughs
  4. Not enough sleep
  5. Too little physical activity
  6. Too much physical activity

Conditions

Exhaustion that doesn't let up might be a sign of:

  1. Adrenal insufficiency
  2. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  3. Anemia — a condition in which the body doesn't get oxygen due to a lack of healthy red blood cells.
  4. Anxiety disorders
  5. Cancer
  6. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
  7. Chronic infection or inflammation
  8. Chronic kidney disease
  9. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) — the blanket term for a group of diseases that block airflow from the lungs — including emphysema.
  10. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  11. Depression (major depressive disorder) or other mood disorders
  12. Diabetes
  13. Fibromyalgia
  14. Grief
  15. Heart disease
  16. Heart failure
  17. Hepatitis A
  18. Hepatitis B
  19. Hepatitis C
  20. HIV/AIDS
  21. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  22. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  23. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  24. Liver disease
  25. Low vitamin D
  26. Lupus
  27. Medicines and treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, pain medicines, heart medicines and antidepressants
  28. Mononucleosis
  29. Multiple sclerosis
  30. Obesity
  31. Parkinson's disease
  32. Physical or emotional abuse
  33. Polymyalgia rheumatica
  34. Pregnancy
  35. Rheumatoid arthritis
  36. Sleep apnea — a condition in which breathing stops and starts many times during sleep.
  37. Stress
  38. Traumatic brain injury

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Feb. 11, 2023

See also

  1. 6 tips to manage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
  2. Acetyl-L-carnitine: Can it relieve MS fatigue?
  3. Acromegaly
  4. Acute bronchitis: Is it contagious?
  5. Acute kidney failure
  6. Acute lymphocytic leukemia
  7. Acute myelogenous leukemia
  8. Acute sinusitis
  9. Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help?
  10. Addison's disease
  11. Adjuvant therapy for cancer
  12. Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
  13. Alcoholic hepatitis
  14. Ambien: Is dependence a concern?
  15. Amputation and diabetes
  16. Amyloidosis
  17. Anaphylaxis
  18. Anaphylaxis: First aid
  19. Anemia
  20. Angina
  21. Anorexia nervosa
  22. Anthrax
  23. Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
  24. Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
  25. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
  26. Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
  27. Antidepressants for children and teens
  28. Antidepressants: Side effects
  29. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
  30. Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
  31. Anxiety disorders
  32. Aortic calcification: An early sign of heart valve problems?
  33. Aortic valve regurgitation
  34. Aortic valve stenosis
  35. Aplastic anemia
  36. ARDS
  37. Arteriovenous fistula
  38. Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?
  39. Ascariasis
  40. Aspergillosis
  41. Atrial septal defect (ASD)
  42. Atrioventricular canal defect
  43. Atypical antidepressants
  44. Atypical cells: Are they cancer?
  45. Autoimmune hepatitis
  46. Automated external defibrillators: Do you need an AED?
  47. Base tan? Bad idea
  48. Bedtime routines: Not just for babies
  49. Biliary tract cancer: Should I get a second opinion?
  50. Biopsy procedures
  51. Bipolar disorder
  52. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism: Are they related?
  53. Bipolar disorder in children: Is it possible?
  54. Bipolar medications and weight gain
  55. Bipolar treatment: I vs. II
  56. Blastocystis hominis
  57. Infographic: Blood Cancer Awareness
  58. Blood Cancers and Disorders
  59. Blood clots during menstruation: A concern?
  60. Blood glucose meters
  61. Blood glucose monitors
  62. Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons
  63. Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how
  64. Blood tests for heart disease
  65. Mitral valve clip to treat mitral regurgitation: Bob's story
  66. Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
  67. Bone cancer
  68. Bradycardia
  69. Mitral valve overview
  70. Explaining multiple sclerosis
  71. How kidneys work
  72. Jack Long — Live Long, Beat Strong to Find a Cure
  73. A leaky tricuspid valve
  74. Leaky valve cone procedure
  75. Video: Septal myectomy and apical myectomy
  76. Treating Pericarditis
  77. Bronchitis
  78. Brucellosis
  79. Brugada syndrome
  80. Caffeine: Does it affect blood sugar?
  81. Calcium supplements: A risk factor for heart attack?
  82. Can chicken soup cure a cold?
  83. Can vitamins help prevent a heart attack?
  84. Cancer
  85. Cancer
  86. Cancer blood tests
  87. Myths about cancer causes
  88. Infographic: Cancer Clinical Trials Offer Many Benefits
  89. Cancer diagnosis: 11 tips for coping
  90. Cancer-related fatigue
  91. Cancer Managing Symptoms
  92. Cancer pain: Relief is possible
  93. Cancer risk: What the numbers mean
  94. Cancer surgery
  95. Cancer survival rate
  96. Cancer survivors: Care for your body after treatment
  97. Cancer survivors: Late effects of cancer treatment
  98. Cancer survivors: Managing your emotions after cancer treatment
  99. Cancer treatment myths
  100. Can't sleep? Try daytime exercise
  101. Cardiac asthma: What causes it?
  102. Infographic: Cardiac sarcoidosis: A heart under attack
  103. Cardiomyopathy
  104. Castleman disease
  105. Celiac disease
  106. Chelation therapy for heart disease: Does it work?
  107. Chemo brain
  108. Chemotherapy side effects: A cause of heart disease?
  109. Chicken soup: Can it treat a cold?
  110. Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)
  111. Cholera
  112. Chronic kidney disease
  113. Chronic kidney disease: Is a clinical trial right for me?
  114. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  115. Chronic myelogenous leukemia
  116. Chronic sinusitis
  117. Churg-Strauss syndrome
  118. Cirrhosis
  119. What is cirrhosis? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  120. Cirrhosis FAQs
  121. Clinical depression: What does that mean?
  122. Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism?
  123. Coffee after dinner? Make it decaf
  124. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
  125. Cold or allergy: Which is it?
  126. Cold remedies
  127. Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?
  128. Colon cancer
  129. Colon Cancer Family Registry
  130. Colon cancer screening: At what age can you stop?
  131. Colon cancer screening
  132. Colorectal Cancer
  133. Common cold
  134. Concussion
  135. Concussion in children
  136. Concussion Recovery
  137. Concussion Telemedicine
  138. Anxiety and diet
  139. Coronary artery spasm: Cause for concern?
  140. Craving and chewing ice: A sign of anemia?
  141. Crohn's Crisis
  142. Crohn's disease
  143. Crohn's disease and the gut microbiome
  144. What is Crohn's disease? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  145. Crohn's or Colitis
  146. Curcumin: Can it slow cancer growth?
  147. Cushing syndrome
  148. Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)
  149. Daily aspirin therapy
  150. Demyelinating disease: What can you do about it?
  151. Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
  152. Depression, anxiety and exercise
  153. What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  154. Depression: Diagnosis is key
  155. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
  156. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  157. Depression: Provide support, encouragement
  158. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
  159. Dermatomyositis
  160. Diabetes
  161. Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
  162. Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar
  163. Diabetes and heat
  164. What is type 1 diabetes? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  165. 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications
  166. Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?
  167. Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
  168. Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?
  169. Diabetes and liver
  170. Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar
  171. Diabetes prevention: 5 tips for taking control
  172. Type 1 diabetes FAQs
  173. Diabetes symptoms
  174. Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
  175. Medications for type 2 diabetes
  176. Using insulin
  177. Diabetic coma
  178. Diabetic ketoacidosis
  179. Cancer-related diarrhea
  180. Dilated cardiomyopathy
  181. Does stress make rheumatoid arthritis worse?
  182. Does zinc work for colds?
  183. Drinking after hepatitis C cure: Is it safe?
  184. Drummer Beats Heart Disease
  185. Dumping syndrome
  186. Early HIV symptoms: What are they?
  187. Ease rheumatoid arthritis pain when grocery shopping
  188. Eating during cancer treatment: Tips to make food tastier
  189. Eating right for chronic kidney disease
  190. Ebstein anomaly
  191. ED Drugs for Pulmonary Hypertension
  192. Emerging treatments for multiple sclerosis
  193. Encephalitis
  194. Endocarditis
  195. Endometriosis
  196. What is endometriosis? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  197. Endometriosis FAQs
  198. Energy conservation techniques
  199. Enlarged liver
  200. Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
  201. Esophageal Cancer
  202. Esophageal cancer
  203. Ewing sarcoma
  204. Exercise and multiple sclerosis
  205. Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health?
  206. Fibromyalgia
  207. Flu masks
  208. Flu Shot Prevents Heart Attack
  209. Flu shots
  210. Flu shots and heart disease
  211. Flu: When to see a doctor?
  212. Flu vaccine: Safe for people with egg allergy?
  213. Gaucher disease
  214. Generalized anxiety disorder
  215. Genetics and Cardiomyopathy
  216. GI Stents
  217. Giardia infection (giardiasis)
  218. Glomerulonephritis
  219. GLP-1 agonists: Diabetes drugs and weight loss
  220. Glycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?
  221. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
  222. Grass-fed beef
  223. Graves' disease
  224. H1N1 flu (swine flu)
  225. Hairy cell leukemia
  226. Hangovers
  227. Hashimoto's disease
  228. Have a cold? Common sense rules
  229. Have a cold? Fight back with humidity
  230. Have a cold? Fight it with fluids
  231. Healthy eating: One step at a time
  232. Healthy Heart for Life!
  233. Heart arrhythmia
  234. Heart attack
  235. Heart attack prevention: Should I avoid secondhand smoke?
  236. Heart attack symptoms
  237. Heart Attack Timing
  238. Heart cancer: Is there such a thing?
  239. Heart disease
  240. Heart disease in women: Understand symptoms and risk factors
  241. Heart failure
  242. Heart failure and sex: Is it safe?
  243. Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease
  244. Heat exhaustion
  245. Heavy menstrual bleeding
  246. Heavy periods: Can folic acid help?
  247. Hemochromatosis
  248. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
  249. Hemophilia
  250. Hepatitis A
  251. Hepatitis B
  252. Hepatitis C
  253. Hepatitis C: How common is sexual transmission?
  254. Hepatitis C: What happens in end-stage liver disease?
  255. Herbal treatment for anxiety: Is it effective?
  256. Hiatal hernia
  257. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
  258. High-dose vitamin C: Can it kill cancer cells?
  259. Hirschsprung's disease
  260. HIV/AIDS
  261. Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease)
  262. Hodgkin's vs. non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: What's the difference?
  263. Holiday Heart
  264. How do I reduce fatigue from rheumatoid arthritis?
  265. Humidifier care 101
  266. Humidifiers
  267. Huntington's disease
  268. Hypercalcemia
  269. Hyperglycemia in diabetes
  270. Hyperinsulinemia: Is it diabetes?
  271. Hyperparathyroidism
  272. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  273. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  274. Infographic: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
  275. Hyponatremia
  276. Hypoparathyroidism
  277. Hypopituitarism
  278. Hypothermia
  279. Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
  280. Hypothyroidism diet
  281. Hypothyroidism and joint pain?
  282. Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements?
  283. Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems?
  284. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  285. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  286. Inflammatory bowel disease FAQs
  287. Influenza (flu)
  288. Infographic: Innovative Rectal Cancer Treatments
  289. Insomnia
  290. Insomnia: How do I stay asleep?
  291. Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills
  292. Insulin and weight gain
  293. Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction
  294. Iron deficiency anemia
  295. Is a clinical trial for biliary tract cancer right for me?
  296. Is depression a factor in rheumatoid arthritis?
  297. Is there a special diet for Crohn's disease?
  298. Jet lag disorder
  299. Kidney cancer
  300. Kidney Cancer
  301. Infographic: Kidney Cancer
  302. What is kidney cancer? An expert explains
  303. Kidney cancer FAQs
  304. What is kidney disease? An expert explains
  305. Kidney disease FAQs
  306. Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?
  307. Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?
  308. LADA
  309. Lead poisoning
  310. Legionnaires' disease
  311. Leukemia
  312. Liver cancer
  313. Infographic: Liver Cancer
  314. What is liver cancer? An expert explains
  315. Liver cancer FAQs
  316. Liver cysts: A cause of stomach pain?
  317. Liver disease
  318. Infographic: Liver Transplant Bile Duct Cancer
  319. Living better with Crohn's disease
  320. Living better with rheumatoid arthritis
  321. Living with biliary tract cancer
  322. Living with Lupus
  323. Long QT syndrome
  324. Low blood counts
  325. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  326. Low blood sodium in older adults: A concern?
  327. Low-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?
  328. Lupus
  329. Lyme disease
  330. Maintain your social life with Crohn's disease
  331. Male depression: Understanding the issues
  332. Male hypogonadism
  333. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
  334. Marijuana and depression
  335. Measles Virus as a Cancer Fighter
  336. Membranous nephropathy
  337. Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
  338. Mental health providers: Tips on finding one
  339. Mental illness
  340. Menus for heart-healthy eating
  341. Mitral valve prolapse
  342. Mitral valve regurgitation
  343. Mitral valve stenosis
  344. Mixed connective tissue disease
  345. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  346. Monoclonal antibody drugs
  347. Mononucleosis
  348. Mononucleosis: Can it recur?
  349. Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr: What's the connection?
  350. Mort Crim and Cancer
  351. Mouth sores caused by cancer treatment: How to cope
  352. MRI: Is gadolinium safe for people with kidney problems?
  353. Multiple myeloma
  354. Infographic: Multiple Myeloma
  355. Multiple sclerosis
  356. Infographic: Multiple Sclerosis
  357. Multiple sclerosis: Can it cause seizures?
  358. What is multiple sclerosis? An expert explains
  359. Multiple sclerosis FAQs
  360. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
  361. Mumps
  362. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
  363. Myelodysplastic syndromes
  364. Myelofibrosis
  365. Myelofibrosis
  366. Myocarditis
  367. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  368. Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
  369. Neti pot: Can it clear your nose?
  370. New Hep C Treatment
  371. What is ulcerative colitis? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  372. No appetite? How to get nutrition during cancer treatment
  373. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  374. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  375. Not tired? Don't go to bed
  376. NSAIDs: Do they increase my risk of heart attack and stroke?
  377. Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health
  378. He's the bravest kid I've ever seen
  379. Omega-3 in fish
  380. Omega-6 fatty acids
  381. Living with an ostomy
  382. Pain and depression: Is there a link?
  383. Palliative care for biliary tract cancer
  384. Parvovirus infection
  385. Pectus excavatum
  386. Pectus excavatum
  387. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  388. Pericarditis
  389. Peritonitis
  390. Persistent depressive disorder
  391. Persistent post-concussive symptoms (Post-concussion syndrome)
  392. Plague
  393. Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
  394. Pneumonia
  395. Pneumonitis
  396. Polio
  397. Polycythemia vera
  398. Polymyalgia rheumatica
  399. Polymyositis
  400. Polypill: Does it treat heart disease?
  401. Post COVID syndrome
  402. Postpartum depression
  403. Post-polio syndrome
  404. Precision medicine: A new way to treat biliary cancers
  405. Prediabetes
  406. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  407. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  408. Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?
  409. Primary biliary cholangitis
  410. Primary sclerosing cholangitis
  411. Protect your joints while housecleaning
  412. Protein: Heart-healthy sources
  413. Proton Beam Therapy
  414. Pulmonary atresia
  415. Pulmonary edema
  416. Pulmonary fibrosis
  417. Pulmonary hypertension
  418. Pulmonary valve stenosis
  419. Put fish on the menu
  420. Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?
  421. Rectal cancer
  422. Recurring strep throat: When is tonsillectomy useful?
  423. Red wine, antioxidants and resveratrol
  424. Renal diet for vegetarians
  425. Rethinking Rheumatoid Arthritis
  426. Rhabdomyolysis
  427. Rheumatic fever
  428. Rheumatoid arthritis
  429. Rheumatoid arthritis
  430. Rheumatoid arthritis: Does pregnancy affect symptoms?
  431. Rheumatoid arthritis and exercise
  432. Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?
  433. Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?
  434. Robotic heart surgery treats mitral regurgitation: Ed's story
  435. Roseola
  436. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
  437. Sarcoidosis
  438. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  439. Self-care for the flu
  440. Self-Image During Cancer
  441. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  442. Infographic: Shedding light on dangerous faints
  443. Sheehan's syndrome
  444. Shingles
  445. Shingles and alcohol
  446. Shingles vaccine: Can I transmit the vaccine virus to others?
  447. Shingles vaccine: Should I get it?
  448. Sick sinus syndrome
  449. Silent heart attack
  450. Sinus headaches
  451. Sinus infection and toothache: Any connection?
  452. Sjogren's syndrome
  453. Skip booze for better sleep
  454. Blood sugar testing
  455. Radiation simulation
  456. Small cell, large cell cancer: What this means
  457. Small vessel disease
  458. Smallpox
  459. Somatic symptom disorder
  460. Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism?
  461. Staying active with Crohn's disease
  462. Stomach cancer
  463. Infographic: Stomach Cancer
  464. What is stomach cancer? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  465. Stomach cancer FAQs
  466. Heart disease prevention
  467. Strep throat
  468. Strep throat in young children: A common diagnosis?
  469. Stuffy nose? Try saline spray
  470. Sudden cardiac arrest
  471. Sudden death in young people: Heart problems often blamed
  472. Sun damage
  473. Sunburn
  474. Takayasu's arteritis
  475. Teen depression
  476. Test anxiety: Can it be treated?
  477. Thalassemia
  478. The dawn phenomenon: What can you do?
  479. Thyroid disease: Can it affect a person's mood?
  480. Tips for easing stress when you have Crohn's disease
  481. Tips to make your mornings easier
  482. Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure
  483. Toxic hepatitis
  484. Toxoplasmosis
  485. Treatment of parathyroid disease at Mayo Clinic
  486. Treatment options for biliary tract cancer
  487. Treatment-resistant depression
  488. Tricuspid atresia
  489. Tricuspid valve regurgitation
  490. Tricyclic antidepressants and tetracyclic antidepressants
  491. Tuberculosis
  492. Tumor vs. cyst: What's the difference?
  493. Type 1 diabetes
  494. Type 1 diabetes in children
  495. Type 2 diabetes
  496. Type 2 diabetes in children
  497. Typhoid fever
  498. Ulcerative colitis
  499. Ulcerative colitis flare-ups: 5 tips to manage them
  500. Understanding complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G)
  501. Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
  502. Valley fever
  503. Vasculitis
  504. Vegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?
  505. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
  506. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
  507. Video: Heart and circulatory system
  508. How cancer spreads
  509. Mitral valve regurgitation
  510. PICC line placement
  511. Grateful patient talks about his Mayo Clinic experience
  512. Viral hemorrhagic fevers
  513. Vitamin B-12 and depression
  514. Vitamin C: Can it prevent colds?
  515. Vitamin D and MS: Any connection?
  516. Vitamin deficiency anemia
  517. Vitamins for MS: Do supplements make a difference?
  518. Von Willebrand disease
  519. Walking pneumonia
  520. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
  521. Watch an interview with Fernando C Fervenza MD PhD
  522. West Nile virus
  523. Heart failure action plan
  524. What is biliary tract cancer?
  525. What is meant by the term "heart age"?
  526. What's the difference between H1N1 flu and influenza A?
  527. When cancer returns: How to cope with cancer recurrence
  528. Where can I learn more about living with Crohn's disease?
  529. Whiplash
  530. Whipple's disease
  531. Whooping cough
  532. Whooping cough
  533. Why isn't there a hepatitis C vaccine?
  534. Wilson's disease
  535. Infographic: Women and Heart Disease
  536. Effectively managing chronic kidney disease
  537. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?