Exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue can be normal reactions to increased stress, busy work schedules or lack of sleep. In these cases, exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue are usually alleviated by a good night of sleep. When these symptoms occur frequently and begin to interfere with daily activities and motivation, they can indicate malnutrition or an underlying medical condition.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition characterized by an inadequate amount of red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body. Without a sufficient amount of iron, the body cannot produce hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen. Over time, the tissues become oxygen starved. There are three common reasons that iron-deficiency anemia develops. Severe blood loss is the most common cause of iron-deficiency anemia in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. Other major causes include lack of iron in the diet and inability to absorb iron properly. Common symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia are extreme fatigue and exhaustion, pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, cold hands and feet, irritability, brittle nails, irregular heartbeat, and poor appetite. Most cases of iron-deficiency anemia can be easily treated with iron supplementation. If deficiency is severe or anemia is a result of blood loss, blood transfusions may be needed.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme tiredness and fatigue that is not caused by any underlying conditions and cannot be alleviated with any amount of sleep. The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, so the disease is diagnosed based on its symptoms. A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome requires that specific symptoms are present for at least six months, according to MedlinePlus. The main symptom is severe fatigue that is not relieved by bed rest and interferes with daily activity. Other possible accompanying symptoms include forgetfulness, headaches, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, low fever, muscle aches, muscle weakness and sore throat. Because there is no known cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, treatment focuses on relieving individual symptoms and usually consists of a combination of a balanced diet, medication, cognitive therapy and regular sleep patterns. MedlinePlus notes that relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, may also be helpful.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones to meet the needs of the body. Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulation of metabolism, nervous system functions and maintenance of body temperature, and without these hormones, body function slows down, according to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service. Hypothyroidism can be caused by a number of conditions, including inflammation of the thyroid gland, surgical thyroid removal, certain medications, previous radiation therapy and Hashimoto's disease. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, exhaustion, weight gain, puffy face, intolerance to cold temperatures, joint pain, constipation, dry hair, decreased sweating and slowed heart rate. Hypothyroidism can be successfully controlled with the daily intake of a synthetic thyroid hormone.
