We all get tired from time to time. But chronic fatigue is an extreme sort of tiredness, lethargy, exhaustion and listlessness that goes beyond just feeling worn out after a long day. Physical, chronic fatigue means that the body is so exhausted that normal functioning is difficult or impossible. It is often accompanied by muscle soreness, muscle weakness or lack of strength. Physical fatigue is usually found along with mental fatigue, a sense of cloudiness or inability to concentrate.

Chronic fatigue as a symptom can be a very serious health problem, and it is usually indicative of some other syndrome. Here are 4 common causes of chronic fatigue:

1.  Anemia: Low iron in the blood causes anemia, which means underpowered red blood cells can’t deliver enough oxygen throughout the body. People who don’t eat red meat, are vegetarian, are long distance runners, are pregnant or who have heavy menstrual periods may be susceptible to low iron. Women tend to experience anemia more than men; 1 in 5 women may have low iron.

Symptoms: Weak muscles. Cloudy thinking. Fatigue. Pale skin. Fast heartbeat. Irritability.

Treatment: Doctors will usually prescribe an iron supplement and an iron-rich diet. It may take two months to see iron levels rise, and if they don’t, there may be some other cause for the fatigue.

2.  Fibromyalgia: The causes of fibromyalgia were not known until very recently. This is a condition that affects 12 million people a year in the U.S. yet was hypothesized by some to be a psychosomatic illness, or originating in the mind. However, Dr. Frank Rice of Integrated Tissue Dynamics recently pinpointed that fibromyalgia may be caused by a malfunction in the capillary system of the body, meaning that muscle and skin tissues are unable to get the right nutrition or have waste drawn away. This is significant because it may make diagnosis and treatment more effective.

Symptoms: The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia are intense body aches and pains, or widespread muscle and joint pain, which make physical movement difficult and painful. Chronic fatigue. Tender points. Decreased pain threshold. Anxiety or depression. Disturbed sleep.

Treatment: There is no one-size-fits-all pill to treat fibromyalgia, though there are a variety of prescription drugs, alternative remedies and lifestyle habits that may help ease symptoms.

3.  Low Thyroid: The thyroid is a tiny gland located at the base of the neck that produces two very important hormones – T3 and T4 – that help control the body’s metabolic speed. If the thyroid gland produces too few hormones here, everything in the body slows down, resulting in fatigue, decreased endurance and a foggy mind. About 12 to 15 per cent of women during midlife experience low thyroid and accompanying symptoms.

Symptoms: Constant tiredness. Weight gain. Depression. Constipation. Feeling cold. Dry skin and hair.

Treatment: Your doctor will check for levels of T4 and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), then prescribe thyroxine pills as needed to increase thyroid production.

4.  Low Serotonin: Serotonin is one of the most talked about neurotransmitters because it affects so many different functions of the body, and low serotonin can have myriad consequences. As a neurotransmitter, it is responsible for regulating sleep and mood, as well as cardiovascular, renal, immune and gastrointestinal systems. While low serotonin may be a contributing factor to many different conditions, there are some common symptoms associated with it.

Symptoms: Depression. Fatigue. Disturbed sleep. Irritability. Change in appetite. Headaches. Change in libido. When serotonin is really low, it can contribute to extreme emotional fluctuations and depression, schizophrenia, compulsion or learning disorders.

Treatment: For mild to moderately low serotonin levels, there are lifestyle and alternative remedies, such as St. John’s Wort, B vitamins and natural sunlight lamps, that may help.  Doctors can also prescribe SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft, or SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), such as Cymbalta or Savella.

1  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248002.php
2  http://www.oprah.com/health/Why-Youre-Tired-Causes-of-Fatigue/3
3  http://c.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/steps-authentic-happiness-positive-psychology/2013/dec/29/fibromyalgia-solved-pathology-not-mind/
4  http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-treatments
5  http://www.oprah.com/health/Why-Youre-Tired-Causes-of-Fatigue/1
6  http://www.healthcentral.com/encyclopedia/408/409.html?ic=506048
7  http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/natural-ways-to-increase-your-serotonin-levels/
8  http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs/a/serotonin.htm

By Nancy Woo & Isaac Chenevey