Sudden, extreme fatigue can occur due to various medical conditions, including diabetes, depression, and fibromyalgia. Treatment varies depending on the cause.

Fatigue is when a person feels persistent exhaustion, lack of energy, or burnout. This can be physical, mental, or both. It is more than simply feeling sleepy or drowsy.

There are many reasons a person may experience fatigue. These range from allergies to chronic conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes.

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Allergies result from the body’s immune system overreacting to allergensTrusted Source, such as:

  • pollen
  • pets
  • foods

Some people may experience any or all of the following issues due to allergies:

  • a runny nose
  • itching
  • rashes
  • breathing problems

When people come into contact with an allergen, the body releasesTrusted Source the chemical histamine to fight it off. This causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can include sudden tiredness.

Treatment

The following treatments may helpTrusted Source a person with allergies:

Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness and disinterest.

The condition is due to a disturbance in the central nervous system, which causesTrusted Source neurotransmitters to not function as they should, including:

  • serotonin
  • norepinephrine
  • dopamine

Fatigue is one of the main symptomsTrusted Source individuals may experience with depression.

Research from 2023 notes that fatigue in depression may be linked to the common decline in executive functions. Executive functions involve:

  • monitoring and updating information in the working memory
  • shifting between mental tasks or sets
  • inhibition of dominant responses

Individuals with depression may also experience sleep issues, such as difficulty sleeping, waking too early, and oversleeping.

Treatment

Some research supports the following treatments for fatigue and depression:

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder.

Experts do not currently knowTrusted Source why some people develop this condition, although studies suggest that genes may play a part.

Fibromyalgia causes people to perceive pain as being greater than the discomfort that people without this disorder experience.

One of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is chronic fatigue. People are more likely to experience this fatigue when they wake up in the morning, but this can also occur in the mid-afternoon.

Periods of inactivity and activity can increase this tiredness, and it may disturb sleep, causing people to wake up feeling unrefreshed.

Treatment

Treatment options for fibromyalgia include the following:

  • aerobic physical activity of 30 minutes, three times a week
  • antidepressant medications, such as duloxetine
  • physical therapy and psychotherapy
  • alternative therapies, such as tai chi, yoga, and acupuncture

Learn more about fibromyalgia treatment.

People may not show any symptoms of heart disease. For example, a person may have a silent, unnoticeable ischemic attack.

Other symptoms of heart disease include:

  • chest pain
  • weakness in the limbs and arms
  • facial drooping
  • cough and shortness of breath

Females are more likelyTrusted Source to experience fatigue as a symptom of heart disease. People with chronic heart disease are also more likely to experience fatigue.

Symptoms can become worse the longer a person has heart disease due to plaque building up in the arteries, narrowing and hardening them.

Treatment

Treatment options for heart disease include the followingTrusted Source:

Arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can trigger fatigue.

RA causes people to haveTrusted Source swollen and painful joints, joint stiffness, and a feeling of physical weakness.

People can experience fatigue early on in RA or not at all. Symptoms are the result ofTrusted Source a dysfunction of the immune system.

People who develop RA are likely to be genetically predisposed to this condition. Environmental factors, such as smoking, can also increase the risk.

Treatment

Treatment options for arthritis include the followingTrusted Source:

  • physical activity, physical therapy, and acupuncture
  • anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids
  • disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

Sleep apnea is a condition where the upper airway does not functionTrusted Source correctly during sleep.

This leads to snoring and disturbed sleep. People with apnea may also stop breathing due to this obstruction for 10 or more seconds.

People are more likely to have sleep apnea if they have obesity, consume alcohol or sedatives, or smoke.

Because this condition causes disturbed sleep, people are likely to wake up tired. They may also experience fatigue during the day.

Other symptoms of sleep apnea include memory problems, a sore throat, and a decrease in sex drive.

Treatment

TreatmentsTrusted Source for sleep apnea include:

  • using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
  • chin straps or devices that keep the tongue in place may reduce snoring
  • eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising
  • avoiding alcohol before bed
  • sleeping on the side rather than on the stomach or back

Diabetes is a long-term health condition that affectsTrusted Source how efficiently the body turns food into energy.

When a person eats food, their pancreas releases insulin, which allows blood sugar into the cells so the body can use it for energy.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Fatigue is a common symptomTrusted Source of diabetes.

Researchers believe that a lack of insulin makes the body rely on fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. This causes chemical changes that may lead to an increase in fatigue.

It is also possible that people may experience psychological fatigue.

Researchers believe that the inability to manage diabetes without medication may lead to a sense of fatigue. When people experience fatigue, they are less likely to manage their condition. This can lead to a cycle of tiredness and distress.

Treatment

The treatment options for diabetes includeTrusted Source:

Learn more about diabetes treatment.

Apart from treating and managing underlying conditions, one way to potentially to prevent fatigue is to ensure people practice good sleep hygiene.

Some tips for a good night’s sleep includeTrusted Source:

  • sleeping with a regular schedule
  • relaxing before bed
  • avoiding using electronic devices in the bedroom
  • keeping the bedroom at a comfortable temperature and using low lighting in the evenings
  • exercising during the day
  • avoiding eating large meals before bed and drinking caffeine in the afternoon and evening

Making lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes may help people feel less tired during the day. These adjustments includeTrusted Source:

  • keeping a fatigue diary to note tiredness patterns
  • exercising regularly
  • avoiding napping for more than 30 minutes
  • quitting smoking
  • asking for help if they feel overwhelmed

People should contact a healthcare professional if they think their fatigue is a symptom of an underlying condition.

A person should also speak with a medical professional if their fatigue stops them from participating in typical daily activities, or negatively impacts their life.

A healthcare professional can share management tips, diagnose any underlying conditions, and suggest treatment plans.

Fatigue, or extreme tiredness, can be due to several conditions, including diabetes, depression, and fibromyalgia.

It can stop people from participating in their typical daily activities. However, by treating or managing this symptom, as well as any underlying conditions, people may go on to live their typical lives.

A doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and medical treatments to manage the conditions that trigger fatigue.