10 Fatigue Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. 'Fatigue Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 2 Dec. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/causes/sym-20050894
- 2. 'Fatigue.' Better Health Channel, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue
- 3. Slimani, Maamer, et al. 'The Effect of Mental Fatigue on Cognitive and Aerobic Performance in Adolescent Active Endurance Athletes: Insights from a Randomized Counterbalanced, Cross-Over Trial.' Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 7, no. 12, 2018, p. 510, doi:10.3390/jcm7120510
- 4. 'Muscle Weakness.' Patient Info, 3 Oct. 2016, patient.info/signs-symptoms/tiredness-fatigue/muscle-weakness
- 5. 'What Type of Headache Do You Have?' Harvard Health, 31 Aug. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/what-type-of-headache-do-you-have
- 6. Azzolino, Domenico, et al. 'Nutritional Status as a Mediator of Fatigue and Its Underlying Mechanisms in Older People.' Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 2, Feb. 2020, p. 444, doi:10.3390/nu12020444
- 7. Nagai, Makie, et al. 'Effects of Fatigue on Immune Function in Nurses Performing Shift Work.' Journal of Occupational Health, vol. 53, no. 5, 2011, pp. 312-319, doi.org/10.1539/joh.10-0072-OA
- 8. 'Tired Eyes: A Very Real Condition.' Vision Eye Institute, 27 July 2020, visioneyeinstitute.com.au/eyematters/tired-eyes-real-condition
- 9. Kaur, Jaspreet, et al. 'Effect of Mental Fatigue on Memory and Retention: An Experimental Study.' Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, vol. 5, no. 7, 2018, pp. 620-626, www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1807551.pdf
Fatigue is an overwhelming lack of energy or exhaustion, and it can include both physical and mental factors. Not the same as simply being sleepy, fatigue affects many people at some point in their lives. The symptoms are wide-ranging, and people experience different symptoms to varying degrees.
There can be many causes of fatigue, including lifestyle, too much or too little exertion, boredom, effects of medication and depression. Sometimes, it can be a result of a more serious condition. People should seek medical advice if they experience unexplained and prolonged periods of fatigue.1‘Fatigue Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 2 Dec. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/causes/sym-20050894
Tiredness
Excessive tiredness can be a symptom of fatigue. Even with adequate sleep, a person may feel exhausted during the day and have difficulty remaining alert. People may also tire easily, feeling drained shortly after the beginning of physical or mental activities. Individuals commonly feel as though they don't have enough energy, and they sometimes lack the energy to perform even basic tasks.
Tiredness due to fatigue can impact a person's day-to-day activities and quality of life. Changing sleep, nutrition and exercise habits can sometimes resolve tiredness associated with fatigue. However, if tiredness persists, medical advice should be sought.2‘Fatigue.’ Better Health Channel, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue
Lack of Concentration
Being unable to concentrate, also described as a fuzzy feeling in the head or brain fog, can be a symptom of mental fatigue. A person's thoughts and emotions may feel duller or slower. The inability to concentrate can make completing tasks difficult, and it can be a source of frustration.
Mental fatigue can affect brain activity. Studies indicate that it may negatively impact overall performance, both mentally and physically, as well as functions, such as decision making and problem-solving, reasoning, learning and remembering.3Slimani, Maamer, et al. ‘The Effect of Mental Fatigue on Cognitive and Aerobic Performance in Adolescent Active Endurance Athletes: Insights from a Randomized Counterbalanced, Cross-Over Trial.’ Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 7, no. 12, 2018, p. 510, doi:10.3390/jcm7120510
Apathy
People who are fatigued may experience apathy, which occurs when an individual lacks an interest in doing things, motivation and enthusiasm. Apathy can reduce emotional responses, which can be reflected physically by little change in facial expressions. It can also cause indifference and lead to an overall feeling of mental numbness.
Apathy can impact various areas of a person's life, including their interpersonal relationships, their work relationships and their overall enjoyment of life.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness can be a physical symptom of fatigue. Weakness may be accompanied by muscular aches and pains. Rather than an inability to use muscles, people commonly find that it takes more effort to use a muscle, which is known as asthenia. Muscles may also tire quicker.
Fatigue may affect the brain's desire to make muscles work. Feeling tired, another common symptom of fatigue, also typically impacts physical ability. General feelings of achiness may make people reluctant to move as much.4‘Muscle Weakness.’ Patient Info, 3 Oct. 2016, patient.info/signs-symptoms/tiredness-fatigue/muscle-weakness
Headache
Fatigue is a common trigger for headaches. Headaches may be short-lived, lasting for around 30 minutes or for several days. Typically, fatigue headaches are classified as tension-type headaches. Some research suggests that fatigue may occur before a migraine.
Resting and taking over-the-counter pain-relief medication may provide some relief from fatigue headaches. As both fatigue and headaches can be an indication of dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids may also provide relief.5‘What Type of Headache Do You Have?’ Harvard Health, 31 Aug. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/what-type-of-headache-do-you-have
Reduced Appetite
Reduced appetite, known medically as anorexia, could be a fatigue symptom. Other fatigue symptoms, such as apathy or lack of concentration, may lead to loss of appetite. Inadequate nutrition, caused by appetite loss, can also contribute to feelings of fatigue.
The links between appetite loss and fatigue aren't fully understood. However, getting adequate nutrition is important for a person's overall health. Long-term appetite loss can result in weight loss.6Azzolino, Domenico, et al. ‘Nutritional Status as a Mediator of Fatigue and Its Underlying Mechanisms in Older People.’ Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 2, Feb. 2020, p. 444, doi:10.3390/nu12020444
Weaker Immune System
When a person feels fatigued, their immune system may become compromised, and it might not function at full capacity. People with compromised immune systems can become ill if their body is unable to fight off infections as it normally would.
Studies suggest that natural killers (NK) cell activity decreases as fatigue increases. Fatigue has a negative impact on the function of NK cells. These cells are vital for early immune responses, which could explain why overall health can be worsened by fatigue.7Nagai, Makie, et al. ‘Effects of Fatigue on Immune Function in Nurses Performing Shift Work.’ Journal of Occupational Health, vol. 53, no. 5, 2011, pp. 312-319, doi.org/10.1539/joh.10-0072-OA
Blurred Vision
Fatigue can affect all muscles in the body, including those in the visual system. Affected individuals may experience eyestrain, asthenopia or ocular fatigue. Fatigued eye muscles can also result in blurred vision. Headaches commonly accompany blurred vision.
Some people may also experience double vision and dryness of the eyes. Resting the eyes and limiting screen use may provide some relief. If eye problems persist, people should seek advice from a health care professional.8‘Tired Eyes: A Very Real Condition.’ Vision Eye Institute, 27 July 2020, visioneyeinstitute.com.au/eyematters/tired-eyes-real-condition
Memory Loss
While fatigue generally has no impact on long-term memory recall abilities, it can negatively affect short-term memory. People may be unable to retain or recall new information. Studies suggest that people who are fatigued are less able to ignore distractions, which reduces the capacity to remember information.
Mental fatigue can cause neurophysiological and biochemical changes in the brain. Short-term memory loss may be connected with lack of concentration and feelings of apathy, other common symptoms of fatigue.9Kaur, Jaspreet, et al. ‘Effect of Mental Fatigue on Memory and Retention: An Experimental Study.’ Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, vol. 5, no. 7, 2018, pp. 620-626, www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1807551.pdf
Loss of Libido
Loss of libido, or reduced sex drive, may be a symptom of fatigue. It's commonly caused by other fatigue symptoms, such as lack of interest or motivation, muscle weakness, headache and tiredness. Any combination of these could result in a person having no desire to engage in sexual relations.
Although libido typically returns when fatigue is resolved, it can cause short-term distress, disappointment and frustration. It can also create problems in romantic relationships.
