Most Common Causes of Chronic Fatigue

It’s normal to feel fatigued occasionally, especially after a day of strenuous physical or mental activities. However, feeling exhausted all the time isn’t normal and could be a sign of an underlying condition.

It’s essential to get to the root cause of your chronic fatigue to map out a way to manage it effectively. In Sugar Land and Houston, Texas, Dr. Nneka Edokpayi, a board-certified internal medicine physician, and her team at Rapha Health and Wellness can help you figure out what’s causing your chronic fatigue. 

Learn more about the common causes of chronic fatigue and what you can do to manage it. 

What is chronic fatigue? 

Chronic fatigue is a long-term condition that can severely affect your daily functioning. It’s primarily characterized by severe fatigue, lasting six months or longer. 

If you have chronic fatigue, you may find it challenging to do simple tasks like getting out of bed, putting clothes on, or even eating. 

For a definite diagnosis to be made, Dr. Edokpayi will typically put you through a series of diagnostic tests to rule out any other conditions that may cause fatigue. 

Symptoms of chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue looks different in each person. However, some of the most common symptoms you may experience are:

• Headaches 
• Feeling tired after a good night’s sleep
• Muscle or joint pain 
• Feeling unusually tired after light physical or mental exercise 
• Lightheadedness 
• Difficulty sleeping
• Light sensitivity 
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck or armpits

If you observe any of the above symptoms, you should make an appointment with Dr. Edokpayi as soon as you can. 

What causes chronic fatigue?

Some of the most common causes associated with chronic fatigue include:

• Physical injury
• Emotional trauma 
• Hormonal imbalances 
• Viral infections 
• Conditions that affect the immune system
• Having a family history of chronic fatigue 

While it can occur at any age, it’s more likely to occur if you are middle-age or older.

How to treat and manage chronic fatigue 

There’s currently no cure for chronic fatigue, and treatment focuses on alleviating your symptoms. If your fatigue is caused by an underlying condition, such as physical injury or depression, treating the condition can help improve your symptoms. 

Depending on the cause of your condition, its severity, and your general health, chronic fatigue can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. 

When to see a doctor

Chronic fatigue can take a toll on your overall health, so you should see your doctor as soon as you have symptoms. Dr. Edokpayi customizes your treatment and guides you through the best ways to manage it. 

Book an appointment online today or call 281-207-0461 to get to the root cause of your chronic fatigue and find lasting treatment.