Some Factors Commonly Contributing To Prolonged Or Chronic Fatigue
Category | Examples |
|---|---|
Chronic disorders | Chronic kidney disease, systemic rheumatic diseases (eg, giant cell arteritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) |
Medications or drugs | Antidepressants, antihistamines (1st generation), antihypertensives, cocaine cessation (usually recent fatigue), diuretics that cause hypokalemia, muscle relaxants, recreational drugs, sedatives |
Endocrine disorders | Adrenal insufficiency*, diabetes, hyperthyroidism* (usually apathetic in older adults), hypothyroidism, pituitary insufficiency |
Infections | Cytomegalovirus infection, endocarditis, fungal pneumonias, hepatitis, HIV/late-stage HIV, mononucleosis, parasitic infections*, tuberculosis, SARS, COVID-19 |
Mental health conditions | Anxiety, depression, drug dependence, panic disorder, somatization disorder |
Disorders of unknown cause | Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome/systemic exertion intolerance disease, fibromyalgia, idiopathic fatigue |
Other causes | Anemias, cancers, deconditioning, pregnancy*, undernutrition, hypercalcemia*, multiple sclerosis, trauma including domestic violence |
* Usually does not cause chronic fatigue. | |