Fatigue (Overwork) Quiz
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Fatigued
Depressed
Inability to sleep
Fatigue
Sadness
Can't sleep
Feel weak
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What is Fatigue (Overwork)?
Fatigue results from the buildup of mental stress and physical tiredness.
Typical Symptoms of Fatigue (Overwork)
- Episodes of sudden, overwhelming daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue or low energy that is worse in the morning
- Persistent fatigue and lack of motivation
- Decreased motivation
- Feeling down or depressed
- Trouble sleeping
- Recent weight loss
Diagnostic Questions for Fatigue (Overwork)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have episodes of sudden, overwhelming daytime sleepiness?
- Do you have difficulty concentrating?
- Do you experience fatigue or low energy that is worse in the morning?
- Have you been experiencing persistent fatigue and lack of motivation?
- Have you been experiencing decreased motivation recently?
Treatment of Fatigue (Overwork)
To treat this condition, address the cause. Reduce the workload and ensure sufficient mental and physical rest.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Can't focus
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- Lack of motivation
- I can not concentrate on my work
- No energy to do things
- Unable to sit for a long time
- Feeling less ambitious nowadays
- My brain is not functioning
- Feel increasingly lazy all the time
- Less willpower to do things
- Making careless mistakes
- Fewer creative urges nowadays
- I can't continue one thing
See full list
Symptoms Related to Fatigue (Overwork)
Diseases Related to Fatigue (Overwork)
FAQs
Q.
Always Weak? Why Your Cells Are Starving for Creatine Monohydrate + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider, and more context is outlined below: persistent weakness can reflect low cellular energy with suboptimal creatine availability, and creatine monohydrate helps regenerate ATP to support strength, stamina, and cognition when the basics like sleep, nutrition, hydration, and resistance training are in place. Medically approved next steps include ruling out red flags with your clinician and basic labs, then if cleared trying 3-5 g daily of plain creatine monohydrate with good hydration and 6-8 weeks of monitoring, while avoiding unsupervised use if you have kidney or liver disease or other risks; important details and red flags are listed below.
References:
* Kreider RB, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017 Jun 13;14:18. doi: 10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z. PMID: 28615996; PMCID: PMC5469049.
* Daly RM, et al. The creatine kinase/creatine system in the skeletal muscle of mammals. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2018 Mar;75(5):857-869. doi: 10.1007/s00018-017-2680-3. Epub 2017 Oct 28. PMID: 29462791.
* Kley RA, et al. Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation for neuromuscular diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jun 20;2013(6):CD004760. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004760.pub3. PMID: 23793747; PMCID: PMC6483562.
* Gualano B, et al. Effects of creatine supplementation on muscular performance and body composition in healthy older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2022 Sep;76(9):1233-1246. doi: 10.1038/s41430-022-01129-2. Epub 2022 May 2. PMID: 35501306.
* Antonio J, et al. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021 Feb 8;18(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w. PMID: 33557850; PMCID: PMC7873528.
Q.
Is It Just Stress? Why Your Brain Feels Like Lead and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A heavy, lead-like brain can come from chronic stress, depression, poor sleep, burnout, or medical issues like thyroid problems, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, sleep apnea, diabetes, or medication effects; stress often eases with rest and clear triggers, while depression persists 2 or more weeks with low mood or loss of interest despite rest. Medically approved next steps include a doctor visit for labs and sleep evaluation, a depression screening, targeted stress reduction, and restoring basics like consistent sleep, brief daily movement, regular meals, morning light, and social connection, with urgent care for any self-harm thoughts. There are several factors to consider; see below for specific signs, decision points, and treatments that can change which next steps are right for you.
References:
* Alkadhi, K. A., Alattar, A. M., & Qasem, M. A. (2021). Stress, fatigue, and cognitive performance: a systematic review. *Journal of Clinical Neuroscience*, *87*, 170-176.
* Finsterer, J., & Mahlberg, R. (2022). Fatigue: A Review of Clinical Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, *11*(13), 3684.
* Morris, G., & Morris, M. C. (2020). The neurobiological basis of chronic fatigue syndrome. *Brain Sciences*, *10*(10), 738.
* Chaudhuri, A., & Chaudhuri, J. (2022). Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: Challenges in diagnosis and management. *Clinical Medicine (London, England)*, *22*(4), 369-373.
* Nacul, L. C., Lacerda, E. M., & Kingdon, C. C. (2021). Management of chronic fatigue: an overview of systematic reviews. *Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior*, *9*(3), 195-212.
Q.
Coffee Failure: When Caffeine Stops Working, Your Brain Needs Help
A.
Coffee losing its kick usually signals tolerance or an underlying issue such as poor or fragmented sleep, stress or burnout, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, blood sugar swings, or medical problems like iron deficiency, thyroid or B12 disorders, depression, or medication effects; remember that caffeine only masks fatigue. There are several factors to consider, from a gradual caffeine reset and sleep optimization to morning light, protein and hydration, and getting evaluated for sleep apnea or EDS if symptoms persist or are severe; see details below to choose the right next steps and recognize red flags that mean you should see a clinician.
References:
* Snel J, Lorist MM. Caffeine tolerance and its effect on sleep and cognitive performance: a systematic review. J Sleep Res. 2020 Aug;29(4):e12933. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12933. Epub 2020 Apr 8. PMID: 32267675.
* Van Dam NT, Greenberg J, Steinglass JE. Caffeine withdrawal and its effects on cognitive performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2019 Jun;44(7):1167-1175. doi: 10.1038/s41386-019-0359-9. Epub 2019 Mar 18. PMID: 30886361.
* Fredholm BB. Caffeine and the Brain: From Adenosine Receptor Antagonism to Effects on Neurotransmitters and Synaptic Plasticity. J Alzheimers Dis. 2015;47(4):857-73. doi: 10.3233/JAD-150242. PMID: 26197171.
* Eghbal-Khosravi I, Shokrgozar R, Abbasi-Kangevari M, Ebrahimi-Bekhradi S, Ghaemi F, Moradi N, Afshari M, Mirazimi SM, Khanehkenari R, Kazemi M, Ghaedi H, Abbasi-Kangevari Z, Moradi-Lakeh M, Ghasemi M, Saadat SH, Mousavi SE. Caffeine and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2021;28(1-2):1-10. doi: 10.1159/000512684. Epub 2021 Jan 12. PMID: 33430030.
* Watson EJ, Coates AM, Craig W, Banks S. Sleep, Caffeine, and Brain Health: A Review. J Sleep Res. 2020 Dec;29(6):e13028. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13028. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PMID: 32677840.
Q.
The "Food Coma" Myth: Why Lunchtime Makes You Fall Asleep
A.
Post-lunch sleepiness is usually not a “food coma” but a mix of blood sugar swings, your natural 1 to 3 PM circadian dip, large or high carb meals, poor nighttime sleep, and stress or burnout. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand what is normal and the simple meal, sleep, hydration, and movement changes that can help. If you feel excessively drowsy daily, have brain fog, sugar crashes, or safety issues like nodding off while driving, it could point to treatable conditions such as sleep apnea, insulin resistance or diabetes, thyroid problems, anemia, or depression, and you should seek care. Important red flags, self-checks, and next steps with your clinician are outlined below.
References:
* Donga E, van Dijk JG, van Dijk KW, Lammers GJ. Postprandial somnolence: therapeutic perspectives. J Sleep Res. 2011 Sep;20(3):477-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2010.00902.x. Epub 2010 Nov 23. PMID: 21108605.
* Wells V, Wallace D, Pithia J, Scott T, Mestre T, Naci L, Owen AM, St. Lawrence K, Zeman A, Steeves T. The influence of macronutrient composition and meal duration on postprandial somnolence. Physiol Behav. 2016 Oct 15;165:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.07.012. Epub 2016 Jul 20. PMID: 27449293.
* Lammers GJ, Donga E, Van Dijk JG, van Dijk KW. Postprandial somnolence and objective measures of sleepiness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2021 Feb;55:101372. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101372. Epub 2020 Nov 28. PMID: 33268153.
* Kudo T, Kudo A. The interplay between circadian rhythms and metabolism: Implications for sleep and metabolic diseases. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2020 Jan;36 Suppl 1:e3230. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.3230. PMID: 31833158.
* Manoogian ENC, Panda S. Meal Timing and Metabolic Health: A Review of the Literature. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 27;13(11):3809. doi: 10.3390/nu13113809. PMID: 34836053; PMCID: PMC8622114.
Q.
Why Am I So Lazy and Tired? Hidden Causes & Next Steps for Women
A.
There are several factors to consider: most persistent “laziness” is actually fatigue from poor sleep quality, iron or vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, chronic stress or depression and anxiety, blood sugar swings, and hormonal shifts that are especially common in women. Next steps include tracking your patterns, improving sleep and balanced meals, and asking your doctor about tests for iron, thyroid, vitamins, blood sugar, and mental health while seeking urgent care for red flags like chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heavy bleeding, or unexplained weight loss; see below for the complete list of causes, tailored guidance, and how to choose your next step.
References:
* Liew SC, Lunt A, Feller S. Fatigue in women. Med Clin North Am. 2018 May;102(3):575-585. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.01.006. PMID: 29598910.
* Pati S, Dash D, Das L, Dash U. Iron deficiency and fatigue in women. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Mar;8(3):792-796. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_385_18. PMID: 30528416; PMCID: PMC6483984.
* Hackney AC, Szczepanowska E, Ziemba A. Hormonal influences on fatigue and exercise in women. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2020 Feb;60(2):292-297. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.09825-4. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 32014136.
* Patel A, Bhatia R, Gupta N, Gupta A, Khakha C, Kumar P. Sleep and mental health in women. World J Psychiatry. 2022 May 19;12(5):710-724. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i5.710. PMID: 35787122; PMCID: PMC9212642.
* Soni M, Gupta V. Approach to the Patient with Fatigue. Prim Care. 2020 Dec;47(4):533-543. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2020.08.001. Epub 2020 Oct 14. PMID: 32959247.
Q.
Can bowel diseases cause full-body exhaustion?
A.
Yes, bowel diseases can cause full-body exhaustion, commonly from ongoing inflammation, anemia due to blood loss or poor iron absorption, nutrient deficiencies like low B12 or folate, disrupted sleep, and gut-brain effects. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, including fatigue that lingers even in remission and warning signs that need prompt medical care; see below for key details on causes, red flags, and tests and treatments to discuss with your doctor.
References:
* Al Bawardy O, Koutroubakis IE, Rivers CR, et al. Fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Crohns Colitis. 2017 Jan;11(1):101-112. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw129. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27150529/
* Ford AC, Lacy BE, Lembo AJ, et al. Fatigue in irritable bowel syndrome: a review. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2021 Mar;53(6):687-703. doi:10.1111/apt.16248. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33506456/
* Minetti C, Carminati E, Fichera G, et al. Fatigue in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A New Therapeutic Approach of the Gut-Brain Axis. J Clin Med. 2021 Aug 30;10(17):3905. doi:10.3390/jcm10173905. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34501254/
* Czuber-Dochan W, Ream E, Nathan I, et al. Fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease: a review of current knowledge. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Aug;7(7):597-606. doi:10.1016/j.crohns.2012.11.002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23204212/
* Fremont M, Valvassori S, Loret J, et al. The gut microbiome and fatigue: the case for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut Microbes. 2021 Jan-Dec;13(1):1-14. doi:10.1080/19490976.2021.1924558. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34100524/
Q.
Fatigue and gut issues in women
A.
Fatigue and gut issues in women are closely linked through nutrient deficiencies like iron and B12, IBS, microbiome imbalance, food intolerances, hormonal shifts, and stress. There are several factors to consider. See below for red flags that need prompt care, practical habits that help, and the tests your clinician may recommend so you can choose the right next steps.
References:
* Newbold A, Pang J, Staines DR, Marshall-Gradisnik SM, Eaton N. The Gut Microbiome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines. 2021 Jun 25;9(7):737. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9070737. PMID: 34216962.
* Maes M, Leunis JC. Irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome: prevalence, mechanisms, and interventions. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2020 Apr;41(1):16-24. PMID: 32414073.
* Gu S, Zhao S, Yan Z, Guo Y, Feng X, Zhang M, Lu S, Wu D, Yan Z. The Gut Microbiota and the Development of Fatigue. Front Immunol. 2023 Aug 11;14:1229712. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1229712. PMID: 37624108.
* Choung RS, Herrick L, Van Norstrand MD, Camilleri M. Sex Differences in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Jan 1;116(1):21-31. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000854. PMID: 33130836.
* Theoharides TC, Choleva EE, Tsilioni I, Charalambous C. Gut Microbiota and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia, and Related Conditions. Brain Sci. 2021 Mar 26;11(4):429. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11040429. PMID: 33800649.
Q.
Feeling exhausted all the time with gut problems
A.
Persistent fatigue with gut problems is common and often linked to poor nutrient absorption, low grade inflammation, the gut brain connection, sleep disruption, stress or overwork, and conditions like anemia or thyroid issues. There are several factors to consider, including red flag symptoms that need prompt care and practical steps plus when to see a doctor. See below for specifics that can clarify causes and guide the right next steps in your healthcare journey.
References:
* Shah N, et al. Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Updated Review. J Clin Med. 2021 Jul 20;10(14):3208. doi: 10.3390/jcm10143208. PMID: 34293529; PMCID: PMC8304044.
* Proal A, et al. The Gut Microbiome and Neuroinflammation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Microorganisms. 2022 Oct 28;10(11):2137. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10112137. PMID: 36360413; PMCID: PMC9692482.
* Borren NZ, et al. Fatigue in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review. J Crohns Colitis. 2020 Jan 1;14(1):114-129. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjz120. PMID: 31336042.
* Ho S, et al. Dysregulation of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Biomolecules. 2023 Jul 11;13(7):1089. doi: 10.3390/biom13071089. PMID: 37444262; PMCID: PMC10377508.
* Deng J, et al. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with post-COVID-19 fatigue and brain fog. Gut Microbes. 2023 Jan-Dec;14(1):2167936. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2167936. PMID: 36762394; PMCID: PMC9918731.
Q.
How does gut inflammation cause fatigue?
A.
Gut inflammation can cause fatigue by impairing nutrient absorption needed for energy, keeping the immune system chronically activated, and sending inflammatory signals that disrupt brain function and sleep, leaving you drained even after rest. There are several factors to consider. See below for how microbiome shifts and the gut brain axis play a role, how stress and overwork worsen the cycle, which symptoms should prompt medical care, and practical steps that can help restore energy.
References:
* Almeida D, Fiedler M, Reith W, Masi D, Klement RJ. Inflammation, Gut Dysbiosis, and Fatigue: A Mechanistic Review. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 15;15(4):948. doi: 10.3390/nu15040948. PMID: 36839308; PMCID: PMC9961601.
* Maqbool M, Li Q, Zheng T, Ali Z, Zuo L. The Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Role in the Development of Fatigue. Microorganisms. 2023 Apr 19;11(4):1063. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11040001. PMID: 37110196; PMCID: PMC10143896.
* Mandarakas K, Kroumova M, Varghese M, Zierhut C, Zierhut M, Pande K, Seshadri A, Sreekumaran U. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci. 2020 Aug 17;10(8):543. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10080543. PMID: 32824317; PMCID: PMC7463991.
* Goullee H, Kennedy GA, Gately L, Staines D. Targeting gut microbiota in chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic review. Int J Gen Med. 2023 Jun 20;16:2919-2938. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S414571. PMID: 37366304; PMCID: PMC10292728.
* Lopes E, Soares-Morgado R, Laranjo M, Lago P, Monteiro C, Ruivo J. The gut-brain axis and immune system in inflammatory bowel disease: relevance to fatigue. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Dec;32(12):1545-1550. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000001804. PMID: 32740268.
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
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https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11218-018-9471-9Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Burnout. Stress: Concepts, cognition, emotion, and behavior.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128009512000443