Nearly everyone struggles with being overtired or overworked from time to time. Such instances of temporary fatigue usually have an identifiable cause and a likely remedy.

Chronic fatigue, on the other hand, lasts longer and is more profound. It's a nearly constant state of weariness that develops over time and diminishes your energy and mental capacity. Fatigue at this level impacts your emotional and psychological well-being, too.

Fatigue isn't the same thing as sleepiness, although it's often accompanied by a desire to sleep — and a lack of motivation to do anything else.

In some cases, fatigue is a symptom of an underlying medical problem that requires medical treatment. Most of the time, however, fatigue can be traced to one or more of your habits or routines.

Lifestyle factors
Feelings of fatigue often have an obvious cause, such as:

1. Alcohol use or abuse
2. Caffeine use
3. Excessive physical activity
4. Inactivity
5. Lack of sleep
6. Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines and cold remedies
7. Unhealthy eating habits

Psychological conditions
Fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems, such as:

1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Grief
4. Stress

Medical conditions
Unrelenting exhaustion may be a sign of a medical condition or underlying illness, such as:

1. Acute liver failure
2. Anemia
3. Cancer
4. Chronic fatigue syndrome
5. Chronic kidney disease
6. COPD
7. Emphysema
8. Heart disease
9. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
10. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
11. Medications, such as prescription pain medications, heart medications, blood pressure medications and some antidepressants
12. Obesity
13. Restless legs syndrome
14. Sleep apnea
15. Type 1 diabetes
16. Type 2 diabetes

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Source: mayoclinic.org

Seek immediate medical attention
Get someone to take you to an emergency room or urgent care if fatigue is accompanied by:

• Abnormal bleeding, including bleeding from your rectum or vomiting blood
• Severe abdominal, pelvic or back pain
• Severe headache

Call 911 or your local emergency medical service
Get emergency help if your fatigue is related to a mental health problem and your symptoms also include:

• Thoughts of harming yourself or of suicide
• Concern that you may harm someone else

Also get emergency care if your fatigue is accompanied by any of the following:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular or fast heartbeat
• Feeling that you might pass out

Source: mayoclinic.org