Tiredness; Weariness; Exhaustion; Lethargy

Here are some tips for reducing fatigue:

• Get enough sleep each night.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Exercise regularly.
• Learn better ways to relax. Try yoga or meditation.
• Maintain a reasonable work and personal schedule.
• Change your stressors, if possible. For example, switch jobs, take a vacation, and deal with relationship problems.
• Take a multivitamin. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
• Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and drug use.

If you have chronic pain or depression, treating it often helps the fatigue. However, some antidepressant medications may cause or worsen fatigue. Your medication may have to be adjusted to avoid this problem. DO NOT stop or change any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Stimulants (including caffeine) are NOT effective treatments for fatigue. They can actually make the problem worse when the drugs are stopped. Sedatives also tend to worsen fatigue in the long run.

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Review Date: 05/29/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)