Jakarta, ThedailyID — Feeling tired after a long day is normal. However, persistent fatigue without a clear cause may signal an underlying health problem.
Fatigue refers to severe exhaustion that makes it difficult to get out of bed or complete daily activities. Even after sleeping, many people still wake up feeling drained.
According to WebMD, fatigue often comes with other symptoms. These include low energy, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, memory problems, and a loss of motivation.
Several conditions can trigger fatigue. Some causes are temporary, while others may last for six months or longer.
One common cause is daily lifestyle habits. Cleveland Clinic says poor nutrition, chronic stress, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption can all contribute to ongoing fatigue.
Sleep disorders also play a major role. Conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and shift work sleep disorder often prevent people from getting restorative sleep.
Anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia, can also leave people constantly exhausted. Other symptoms may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
Food allergies and intolerances may also reduce energy levels. People with celiac disease, for example, often experience fatigue when they consume gluten.
Infections frequently cause prolonged fatigue as well. Common examples include influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, HIV, mononucleosis, and Lyme disease.
Heart and lung conditions can also affect energy levels. Fatigue commonly occurs in people with heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, congestive heart failure, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
Mental health conditions may also trigger persistent fatigue. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often affect both physical energy and mental alertness.
If fatigue persists for weeks, worsens over time, or appears alongside other concerning symptoms, medical evaluation is important to identify the underlying cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
