Feeling tired is common but feeling fatigue is another thing. Fatigue is a persistent feeling of tiredness or weakness that doesn’t get better with rest.

While everyone can experience fatigue once in a while, when it becomes chronic, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem.

What Is Fatigue?

The National Institute of Health describes fatigue as a feeling of tiredness or lack of energy that doesn’t go away even with rest or sleep. It can affect both physical and mental functioning and can cause difficulty in daily activities.

Fatigue can also cause mood swings, irritability, and the feeling of not being productive.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a severe fatigue that lasts for more than six months. It is not relieved by rest or sleep and is not caused by any underlying medical condition.

People with CFS may unexpectedly experience a setback, or “crash,” that can last for days, weeks, or even months.

Fatigue in Young Adults

Young adults can also experience fatigue, even though it’s more common in older adults. In young adults, fatigue can be caused by many factors:.

Lifestyle factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, and stress.
Underlying medical condition: depression, anxiety, thyroid disorders, and anemia.
Medication: some medications can cause fatigue as a side effect.

If you’re experiencing fatigue, it’s important to identify the underlying cause. Keeping a diary can help you identify triggers that may be causing fatigue.

Reducing stress, improving diet and exercise, and getting enough rest can help reduce fatigue in young adults.

Fatigue in Older Adults

As people age, they tend to experience more fatigue. However, it’s important to distinguish normal tiredness from chronic fatigue. In older adults, fatigue can be caused by many factors:.

Age-related changes: reduced muscle mass, decreased metabolism, and hormonal changes.
Underlying medical condition: arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and cancer.
Medications: some medications can cause fatigue as a side effect.

If you’re experiencing fatigue as an older adult, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can run tests to determine if there’s an underlying medical condition causing fatigue.

Improving diet and exercise, and getting enough rest can help reduce fatigue in older adults.

Tips to Reduce Fatigue

Regardless of age, there are things everyone can do to reduce fatigue:.

Improve diet: Eating a balanced, whole-foods-based diet can help reduce fatigue. Avoid processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive caffeine intake.
Exercise: Even a small amount of exercise can help improve fatigue. Try to get physical activity daily or participate in an exercise program.
Improve sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial to reducing fatigue. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night, and create a sleep-conducive environment.
Reduce stress: Stress can cause and exacerbate fatigue. Try stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or acupuncture.
Get fresh air and sunlight: Spending time outside can help reduce fatigue, improve sleep quality, and increase energy.

Conclusion

Fatigue is a common problem for people of all ages, but identifying its underlying cause can be crucial. Whether it’s lifestyle factors, underlying medical condition, or medication, there are things you can do to reduce fatigue.

Improving diet, exercise, sleep, and reducing stress can all help reduce fatigue levels. And remember, if you’re experiencing chronic fatigue, talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.