Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Fatigue (Overwork) test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Fatigued
Depressed
Inability to sleep
Fatigue
Sadness
Can't sleep
Feel weak
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
Fatigue results from the buildup of mental stress and physical tiredness.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
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
Was this page helpful?
We would love to help them too.
With a free 3-min Fatigue (Overwork) quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms

Our AI

Your report

Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
See full list
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.
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.

“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024

“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023

“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)

Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Rodrigues, H., Cobucci, R., Oliveira, A., & Cabral, J. V. (2018). Burnout syndrome among medical residents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206840García-Carmona, M., Marín, M. D., & Aguayo, R. (2019). Burnout syndrome in secondary school teachers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Psychology of.
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