Fatigue & Autoimmune Diseases

Fatigue is being very tired, weary, and lacking energy. Often, it is a symptom of other health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

• Feeling drained of energy.
• Feeling exhausted.
• Having a very hard time doing normal activities.
• Having low motivation.
• Feeling inadequate.
• Having low sex drive.

Causes

Causes that need medical care include anemia, depression, heart disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome (the fatigue lasts at least 6 months). Fatigue is also a common symptom of autoimmune diseases. These include diabetes, low thyroid, multiple sclerosis and lupus (the systemic type).

Other physical causes include lack of leisure activities or lack of sleep, poor diet, side effects from allergies, chemical sensitivities or drug or alcohol addiction, being in hot, humid conditions, and prolonged effects of the flu or a bad cold. The after-effects of having COVID-19 should also be considered.

Possible emotional causes are burnout, boredom and a major life change (e.g., divorce, retirement, etc.).

Treatment

Treatment for fatigue depends on the cause(s). Keep track of any other symptoms that occur with the fatigue. This helps find out both physical and emotional causes.

Self-Care

If fatigue is due to a medical condition, follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s guidelines for rest, diet, medication, etc.

• Get regular physical activity. Exercise can give you more energy, especially if you sit all day at work. Exercise can calm you, too.
• Cool off. Working or playing in hot weather can drag you down. Rest in a cool, dry place as often as you can. Drink plenty of water.
• Rest and relax. Get a good night’s sleep. Relax during the day if you can, too. Practice deep breathing or meditation.
• Change your routine