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What are the Most Common Causes of Constant Fatigue?

Sarah Sullins
Sarah Sullins

Constant fatigue can be caused by a number of ailments including dehydration, anemia and constipation. If a person does not get enough of the proper nutrients in his diet, it can also lead to constant fatigue. Fatigue that occurs most of the time over long periods at a time may be the result of chronic fatigue syndrome. While fatigue is a normal reaction to a hard day's work, most people are not tired all of the time. A person with constant fatigue never has any energy and may find himself sleeping a lot longer than usual and still not feeling refreshed.

When a person becomes dehydrated, he may experience fatigue along with excessive thirst, constipation, nausea, dizziness and anxiety. Dehydration occurs when more water is going out of the body than coming into the body. Drinking the recommended amount of water every day may help prevent dehydration, and drinking more than usual when a person is sick also can help prevent dehydration. If a person becomes severely dehydrated, medical attention may be needed.

Overwork can cause fatigue.
Overwork can cause fatigue.

People who are constipated may experience constant fatigue because of a buildup of toxins in the body related to the difficulty of having a bowel movement. When a person does not drink enough water, does not eat enough fiber, or has a medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), he may experience constipation. It can occur because of changes in the body, such as becoming pregnant, or because of problems within the body. It also can be linked to taking certain medications or taking too many laxatives. Constipation usually only lasts for a little while, but ongoing constipation could indicate a serious problem that requires medical attention.

Staying up late can cause children to become fatigued.
Staying up late can cause children to become fatigued.

Constant fatigue is often a symptom of anemia, because anemia prevents the body's organs from receiving the level of oxygen they need. This may occur because there are not enough red blood cells in an anemic person's body, because too many of the red blood cells have been destroyed, or because the person has lost a lot of blood. Anemia can be caused by injuries, illnesses, improper nutrition or genetics.

People who are constipated may experience constant fatigue.
People who are constipated may experience constant fatigue.

An illness that occurs among otherwise seemingly healthy people is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A person with this condition may think he has the flu, but the constant fatigue, sore muscles, headaches and other symptoms do not go away on their own. Doctors typically have some difficulty diagnosing the illness, which occurs in women more often than men, because many illnesses present with the same symptoms. Treatment may include therapy, anti-depressants and vitamins.

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

My friend's wife has chronic fatigue syndrome and it's something I hope I never get. I have no idea what she would do if she didn't have my friend to look after her, because it's almost impossible for her to hold down a normal job.

If she is in the middle of an "attack" she simply doesn't have the energy to get out of bed. And it makes her feel very depressed on top of everything.

KoiwiGal

@MrsPramm - If you are already taking care of yourself, you won't start feeling tired unless there is something else wrong. I don't wait until I feel tired before I start drinking water, I just try to do it all the time.

If you're getting constant fatigue and body aches, though, it's time to see a doctor. And knowing your body will help you to stay strong in the face of opposition, because it seems like if you go to the doctor and just say "I feel more tired and sore than usual" they will often just dismiss your concerns.

MrsPramm

The best way to combat fatigue is to get used to really listening to your body and making sure that you respond to it properly.

For example, I tend to start feeling fatigue during the middle of the day. If I give into this and take a nap, I usually wake up feeling worse (which is not what would happen for everyone). However, if I instead go for a walk, drink a lot of water and have a healthy snack then I end up feeling better very quickly.

There are definitely times when extreme fatigue is actually caused by a need for sleep, or from illness or something as well. But the average person probably just needs a bit of TLC.

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    • Overwork can cause fatigue.
      By: ryanking999
      Overwork can cause fatigue.
    • Staying up late can cause children to become fatigued.
      By: Susan Stevenson
      Staying up late can cause children to become fatigued.
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      By: pathdoc
      People who are constipated may experience constant fatigue.
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      Some nutritionists recommend smaller food portions, as large meals can make a person feel tired or lethargic.
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      Constipation may cause constant fatigue.
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      By: Helder Almeida
      Regular exercise routines without proper nutrition can be a source of constant fatigue.