Physical and mental exhaustion are common occurrences that generally arise during periods of extreme fatigue. Stressful situations, as well as some health conditions, can increase your risk of fatigue. Certain substances in your diet, such as caffeine and alcohol, may also play a role in whether you feel well rested or exhausted.
Exhaustion
Although occasional episodes of exhaustion may be due to emotional distress or participating in a physically demanding activity or sport, recurrent and ongoing fatigue can indicate the presence of a sleep disorder. Both caffeine and alcohol can disrupt your normal sleep cycle and leave you feeling exhausted and worn out. Other conditions that may disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling exhausted include obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movement disorder.
Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the most common drugs, with over 80 percent of Americans consuming caffeine on a regular basis, according to the University of Southern California. Although caffeine may provide a temporary boost, an addiction to this chemical can lead to sleepiness, irritability and headaches. Caffeine temporarily increases your energy by increasing blood vessel constriction and inhibiting the action of adenose receptors in your brain. This may help you feel alert and active for a time, but this action interferes with the ability of your central nervous system to initiate deep sleep, leaving you tired.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a type of depressant that may provide temporary relaxation, although it can also disrupt your sleep patterns. Drinking too much at one time can cause a hangover, a condition that may include feelings of fatigue, nausea and heartburn. Alcohol withdrawal can leave you feeling fatigued and moody. Depending on how much you usually drink, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may last as long as 12 months, although the most severe withdrawal period usually occurs within the first week or two, according to Net Wellness.
Precautions
In addition to increasing your risk of fatigue, consuming too much caffeine can cause gastrointestinal upset and ulcers as well as increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Although sleeping pills may help promote sleep, taking them with alcohol may cause a further depression of your central nervous system, a potentially dangerous condition. Drinking alcohol while you are exhausted can magnify the effect of the alcohol. See your doctor if you experience exhaustion that seems unrelated to your consumption of caffeine or alcohol. Continual exhaustion may signal the presence of an underlying health condition, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or hypothyroidism.
