Lethargy and fatigue causes generally induce a high morbidity including absenteeism from work and lack of productivity. Most of us get tired and fatigued sometimes but the recovery is usually rapid. However, there are some people in whom lethargy causes such a severe fatigue that recovery is not possible even with rest.
Lethargy or fatigue does not always mean sleepiness or the desire to rest. It is often a lack of motivation to do anything. When these individuals are investigated, the majority have no underlying medical disorder. In many individuals the cause of excessive fatigue/lethargy can be traced back to a certain lifestyle routine. It is most likely that one is simply not aware of the habit that is causing fatigue. Experts say that in most cases, simple changes in lifestyle can help bring back vitality and energy back in to your life.
Overall, the three most common lethargy causes include the following:
- Changes in lifestyle: one may feel excessively tired after a change in job, long work commute, lack of sleep, unhappiness at work, excess household chores, demanding family, poor marital discord, excess work, spending late nights outside the home or other damaging habits.
- After life style changes, emotional stress is the second most common cause of excessive fatigue. The emotional problems may range from depression, anxiety, grief, substance abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, social isolation, or loss of someone special.
- The last cause of excessive fatigue is medical problems. Some of the lethargy and fatigue causes include:
- Alcohol abuse
- Chronic anemia
- High Fever lethargy symptoms may also be due to a variety of infections including typhoid, scarlet fever, malaria, tuberculosis and even a cancer (e.g. lymphoma)
- Excessive use of caffeinated beverages
- Cancer of any type
- Chronic obstructive lung disease
- Emphysema
- Heart disease
- Over or under activity of thyroid gland
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Kidney failure
- Use of medications like anti histamines, cough suppressants
- Obesity
- Post surgery
- Central sleep apnea
- High Fever lethargy symptoms may be due to an infection of the heart (endocarditis)
Discovering lethargy causes is difficult because there are many medical disorders and the work up can be extensive.
In order to get the right treatment, consumers should learn how to ask the right questions and keep a record of the tests. Even if a health care professional does not know all causes of lethargy but is interested, go with him/ her. You want a professional worker who is willing to be your advocate. While waiting for the diagnosis of your lethargy, take steps to improve your health such as deep breathing exercises, eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting plenty of rest. Who knows by the time your diagnosis has been made, you may have fully recovered by then.

Lethargy and fatigue causes need thorough investigations and in most cases a good treatment is always available.

Related Sites: lethargy, Fatigue Causes