According to the University of Alberta, fatigue is not mere tiredness as commonly thought; rather, it is characterized by an intense lack of energy, followed by difficulty sleeping and disruptions in mental clarity. Extreme fatigue is a symptom of other conditions ranging from medical problems to psychological disturbance. In some cases, lifestyle changes can improve fatigue. However, in extreme cases, medical intervention is indicated to treat the underlying condition.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a general term used to described differing conditions of the heart such as abnormal heartbeat, cardiomyopathy or mitral valve diseases. MayoClinic.com notes that extreme fatigue is a common symptom of any heart disease, since the heart has to work harder to compensate for the damaged areas. The Texas Heart Institute explains that the most common form of heart valve disease is that of the mitral valve. The mitral valve is responsible for regulating the flow of blood from the upper-left chamber of the heart to the lower-left chamber, and people with this condition tend to experience extreme fatigue.
Anemia
Anemia occurs as a result of lacking healthy red blood cells. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that of the differing types of anemia, iron-deficiency is most common. Red blood cells make up the majority of cells in the body. Iron-deficiency anemia results from the body lacking enough of the iron mineral to produce hemoglobin, which is responsible for making red blood cells. The deficiency occurs due to inadequate iron intake, impaired absorption of iron or from excess blood loss. The severity of anemia impacts the range of symptoms that follow. Extreme bouts of fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath commonly occur in anemia.
Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression, also referred to as seasonal affective disorder, is a pattern of depression symptoms that occur at the same time each year. The Cleveland Clinic notes that between four and six percent of the American population experiences seasonal depression. This form of depression commonly occurs in the fall and winter months, when the daylight hours decrease. Seasonal depression is characterized by sadness, lack of energy and extreme fatigue.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle factors impact the presence of fatigue. People working in high demand jobs requiring excessive physical activity such as law enforcement, emergency responders and the military, can experience bouts of extreme fatigue. MayoClinic.com explains that additional contributors to the onset of fatigue include lack of consistent sleep, use of alcohol and unhealthy eating habits. In the event of working in a high-stress occupation, self-care is important to decrease bouts of fatigue as well as preserve mental well-being.
