Everyone feels tired from time to time.

But when a good night’s rest doesn’t leave you refreshed or you feel tired for days (or weeks) on end, it might be time to check in with your doctor to get to the root cause of your fatigue.

Fatigue is a lingering feeling of tiredness. It can cause physical, mental or social impairment and can leave you feeling drained.

Often, fatigue is caused by a lack of sleep. Learn how lack of sleep affects your health.

If you aren’t getting enough sleep, work on changing your sleep habits to ensure you get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Try to avoid taking naps lasting more than 30 minutes during the day to promote good sleep habits at night.

Fatigue may also be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea. If you find yourself fatigued on a regular basis and notice other symptoms of sleep apnea, such as snoring, you may want to talk to your doctor about a sleep study.

Other chronic health conditions, such as allergies, diabetes or cancer, can leave people fatigued. Fatigue may also be one of the side effects of certain medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy, used to treatment a chronic health condition. Depression and anxiety can also cause fatigue.

To help promote healthy sleep habits and prevent fatigue, consider:

• Exercising. Adopting a regular exercise routine can help promote healthy sleep patterns. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of exercise five days a week.
• Limiting beverages with alcohol or caffeine. Too much alcohol or caffeine can interfere with your sleep.
• Talk to your doctor about your medications. If your medications are interfering with your sleep or are leaving you feeling fatigued, talk to your doctor to see if any adjustments can be made.
• If you have allergies, avoid the offending allergen and talk to your doctor about effective ways to manage your allergies.
• Adopt a healthy diet. Empty calories found in junk food do not give you the energy you need throughout the day and can leave you feeling tired once the sugar rush wears off.
• If you smoke, find help to quit. Smoking is linked to many health problems. It can also affect your breathing and leave you feeling drained.
• Ask for help. If you are stressed, feeling overwhelmed or grieving the loss of a loved one, you may find yourself feeling fatigued. Talking to a therapist can help you deal with the emotions you are feeling and can improve your mood.

Could you have a sleep disorder? Find out in minutes with our free, online risk assessment.

Learn more about sleep disorders and sleep studies offered at Edward-Elmhurst Health.

Get support from Linden Oaks Behavioral Health.