Feeling nauseous all the time and tired: Causes, symptoms, treatment, and more

12.08.202122.07.2023 by alexxlab

Causes, symptoms, treatment, and more

Fatigue and nausea are common symptoms that often occur together. In some cases, these symptoms may develop as a result of lifestyle factors, such as poor sleep or diet, or lack of exercise. In other cases, they may signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

Fatigue is a term that describes a lack of energy or a feeling of tiredness or sluggishness. Nausea is a feeling of discomfort in the stomach or a feeling of needing to vomit.

This article outlines the potential causes of combined fatigue and nausea and lists the medical treatments and home remedies that may help alleviate these symptoms. We also provide advice on how to prevent fatigue and nausea and when to see a doctor.

Fatigue and nausea can co-occur as a result of:

lifestyle factors
short-term, or acute, illnesses
long-term, or chronic, conditions

Some possible causes of fatigue and nausea are outlined below.

Lifestyle factors

The following lifestyle factors may cause fatigue and nausea:

staying awake too late
not getting enough sleep
eating too much
eating too late at night
drinking too much alcohol the night before
using recreational drugs
lacking physical activity
overexerting oneself
being jet-lagged

Infections

Certain infections may also cause symptoms of fatigue and nausea. Examples include:

bacterial infections, such as:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection
- chlamydia
viral infections, such as:
- influenza
- Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)
- hepatitis
- poliovirus
- Ebola virus
- malaria
- dengue fever
parasitic infections, such as:
- hookworm infections

Psychological causes

Mental health issues can sometimes cause physical symptoms, including fatigue and nausea. Examples include:

anxiety
stress
depression
loss and grief

Hormonal issues

Fatigue and nausea can sometimes occur as a result of a condition that affects the hormones or the endocrine system that makes the hormones. Examples include:

hyperthyroidism
hypothyroidism
hyperparathyroidism
hypercalcemia
Addison’s disease

Neurological conditions

Issues that affect the nerves and the nervous system may also cause symptoms such as nausea and fatigue. Examples include:

migraines
epilepsy
concussion
traumatic brain injury (TBI)
multiple sclerosis (MS)
brain tumor

Other conditions

Other conditions could also cause nausea and fatigue with or without additional symptoms. Some examples include:

reactions to animal bites or stings
food poisoning
food intolerances or allergies
celiac disease
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
peptic ulcer
hypertension
heatstroke
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
endometriosis
sleep apnea
chronic fatigue syndrome
diabetes
kidney disease
liver cirrhosis, or liver failure

Fatigue and nausea are common during the early stages of pregnancy. Doctors use the term “morning sickness” to refer to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, although these symptoms may occur at any time of day. A 2014 study notes that morning sickness occurs in around 85% of pregnancies.

If there is any possibility that a person may be pregnant, they should take a pregnancy test. If they are not pregnant, they should see their doctor to determine the cause of their morning nausea.

Feeling nauseous upon waking up may simply be the result of poor sleep or an upset stomach from the night before. However, it could also signal a more chronic underlying health issue.

It is fairly normal for a person’s energy levels to dip after eating. This happens because the body redirects blood to the digestive system to help break down food in the stomach.

Eating too much may cause a large dip in energy levels since the body has more food to digest. Overeating may also cause feelings of fullness or nausea.

Symptoms of fatigue and nausea after eating can sometimes signal a digestive issue. Other possible symptoms of a digestive disease include:

difficulty swallowing
acid reflux
heartburn
vomiting
bloating
abdominal pain
belching or flatulence
constipation
diarrhea
bowel incontinence
blood in stool
unexplained weight gain or weight loss

The treatment for fatigue and nausea depends on the underlying cause. Treating the cause should help eliminate or control the symptoms. Chronic conditions may require a long-term treatment plan.

Doctors may also prescribe treatments for the symptoms themselves. For example, a doctor may prescribe antiemetic drugs to reduce nausea and vomiting.

Certain home remedies may help manage the symptoms of fatigue and nausea. Some examples are outlined below.

Home remedies for nausea

The following home remedies may help settle an upset stomach and reduce feelings of nausea:

sipping a cold drink
drinking ginger or peppermint tea
eating foods containing ginger, such as ginger biscuits or candied ginger
eating multiple small portions
getting a lot of fresh air
finding distractions, such as listening to music, watching a movie, or reading a book

In addition, people should avoid the following:

preparing or eating strong-smelling foods
eating foods that are spicy, fried, or greasy
eating too fast
drinking while eating
wearing clothing that is tight around the waist or abdomen
lying down shortly after eating

Home remedies for fatigue

The following home remedies may help reduce fatigue:

eating smaller meals and healthful snacks every 3–4 hours
gradually decreasing caffeine intake over the course of 3 weeks
limiting alcohol intake and avoiding alcohol before bedtime
drinking more water to prevent dehydration and associated fatigue
gradually increasing physical activity
reaching or maintaining a moderate weight
going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends
avoiding daytime naps
establishing or maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine
reducing stress levels through one or more of the following:
- working out
- practicing yoga or tai chi
- spending time with friends
receiving counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for fatigue caused by stress, anxiety, or low mood

Experiencing fatigue and nausea is not always a cause for concern. Sometimes, these symptoms are the result of poor lifestyle habits. Changing these habits should lead to an improvement or reduction in symptoms.

However, people should see a doctor if they experience severe, persistent, or worsening episodes of fatigue and nausea.

It is important to seek immediate medical attention for fatigue and nausea that are accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

chest pain or pressure
difficulty breathing
slurred speech
persistent confusion
continuous or repeated vomiting
fever
yellowing of the skin or eyes
suicidal thoughts

The above symptoms may indicate a serious underlying medical condition that requires prompt medical treatment.

The outlook for people experiencing combined fatigue and nausea depends on the underlying cause of these symptoms.

Fatigue and nausea are not always a cause for concern. This combination of symptoms sometimes goes away following appropriate lifestyle adjustments, such as changes in eating, sleeping, or exercise habits.

However, severe, persistent, or recurrent episodes of fatigue and nausea can indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. In some instances, it may take time for a doctor to diagnose and treat the cause. Once a doctor has established a diagnosis and a treatment plan, a person will typically find relief from these symptoms.

It may not be possible to prevent all causes of fatigue and nausea. However, the following factors may reduce a person’s risk of developing these symptoms:

staying hydrated
limiting alcohol and caffeine intake and avoiding either before bedtime
avoiding large meals and eating late at night
getting plenty of sleep each night
following basic personal hygiene to help prevent infections
eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly to reduce the risk of health conditions that can cause fatigue and nausea
alleviating stress through one or more of the following:
- mindfulness meditation
- breathing exercises
- yoga or tai chi
seeking therapy for mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression

Fatigue and nausea are symptoms that commonly occur together. In some cases, they are the result of lifestyle habits, such as poor sleep or diet, or lack of exercise. In other instances, they may signal an underlying mental or physical health issue that requires treatment.

Sometimes, a person may experience symptom relief after using home remedies to aid sleep, alleviate stress, or improve diet. However, if these changes do not lead to an improvement in symptoms, a person should see their doctor.

Anyone who experiences severe, persistent, or recurrent episodes of fatigue and nausea should seek a medical diagnosis and treatment. Following appropriate treatment, most people should experience an improvement in their symptoms.

Causes, When to Seek Help, and More

Fatigue and Nausea: Causes, When to Seek Help, and More

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Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. D. — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on May 23, 2018

What are fatigue and nausea?

Fatigue is a condition that is a combined feeling of being sleepy and drained of energy. It can range from acute to chronic. For some people, fatigue can be a long-term occurrence that affects their ability to carry out daily activities.

Nausea occurs when your stomach feels uneasy or queasy. You may not actually vomit, but you may feel as though you could. Like fatigue, nausea can stem from many causes.

Seek immediate medical help if your fatigue and nausea are accompanied by:

difficulty breathing
headache
chest pain
fever
thoughts of harming yourself
yellowing of the eyes or skin
slurred speech
repeated vomiting
lasting confusion
abnormal eye movement

Lifestyle changes can frequently help reduce fatigue and nausea. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you don’t feel rested even after a full night’s sleep.

If you have cancer, ask your doctor about interventions that could enhance your energy levels.

This information is a summary. Always seek medical attention if you’re concerned you may be experiencing a medical emergency.

Healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly can help you find relief from fatigue and nausea. Avoiding bad habits such as smoking, drinking excess alcohol, or abusing drugs can also help reduce fatigue and nausea.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat an underlying condition.

Home care

Staying hydrated by drinking clear liquids can help relieve fatigue and nausea. Maintaining a healthy activity level that doesn’t involve exercising excessively can also help prevent or reduce these symptoms.

Fatigue can impact your overall well-being. Take the following steps to prevent the onset of fatigue and nausea:

Get enough sleep each night (typically between 7 and 8 hours).
Manage your schedule so that your work does not become too demanding.
Refrain from drinking excessively.
Refrain from smoking and abusing drugs.
Eat small meals and drink plenty of water.
Exercise regularly.

Last medically reviewed on July 10, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Fatigue. (2017).
cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/fatigue/Patient/page1
Nausea and vomiting. (2013).
my.clevelandclinic.org/symptoms/nausea/hic_nausea_and_vomiting.aspx
Mayo Clinic Staff (2016). Fatigue.
mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/definition/sym-20050894
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Nausea and vomiting.
mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nausea/basics/definition/sym-20050736

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

May 23, 2018

Written By

Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA

Edited By

Tracey Crate

Jul 10, 2017

Medically Reviewed By

Judith Marcin, MD

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Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on May 23, 2018

Chronic fatigue syndrome | Family Doctor

Loss of strength, weakness, lethargy, fatigue, impotence, “woke up and was already tired”, drowsiness, “I don’t feel rested after a good sleep”, decreased concentration, memory impairment, etc. A significant proportion of people who consult an endocrinologist or other doctors experience these or similar symptoms. The latter are not specific, because they can be with a variety of diseases and conditions.

Let’s figure out what common endocrine diseases can cause symptoms of chronic fatigue.

With a decrease in thyroid function (hypothyroidism):

a breakdown is often combined with dry skin, hair loss, swelling of the face, hands and lower extremities, constipation, chilliness, memory impairment; in women – with a violation of the menstrual cycle.

With an excess of thyroid hormones in the blood (thyrotoxicosis):

weakness and fatigue are accompanied by constant heart palpitations, increased excitability and sweating, trembling of the hands and / or body, sleep disturbances, weight loss with increased appetite, in some cases with protrusion, pain and redness of the eyeballs.

For high blood glucose (type 1 diabetes):

patients complain of thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, itchy skin, changes in visual acuity, weight loss with increased appetite. In type 2 diabetes, such symptoms occur much less frequently, since they develop only with severe decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism several years after the onset of the disease. With a moderate increase in blood glucose, in most cases there are no symptoms.

Phosphorus-calcium metabolism disorders

It is possible to suspect violations of phosphorus-calcium metabolism in persons with general and muscle weakness, bone pain, low mood, with complaints of thirst, frequent urination, vomiting and diarrhea (not due to other causes), urolithiasis, frequent recurrence of gastric and duodenal ulcers, low-traumatic (occurred with minimal trauma) fractures, muscle cramps, with chronic kidney disease, long-term use of glucocorticosteroids, with low or no insolation, including people who completely cover themselves with clothes for religious or national reasons or do not leave the house.

Testosterone deficiency

Testosterone deficiency in men is also often accompanied by fatigue, mood lability with a tendency to depression, decreased sex drive, memory impairment, hot flashes, excessive sweating, palpitations, decreased muscle mass, and sleep disorders.

Adrenal insufficiency

In adrenal insufficiency, asthenia is always accompanied by weight loss, loss of appetite, and orthostatic hypotension (darkening of the eyes and/or dizziness when standing up). In addition, cravings for salty foods and darkening of skin folds and postoperative sutures may appear.

Hypercortisolism

Hypercortisolism (excess production of cortisol by the adrenal glands) is characterized by muscle weakness in the arms and legs, weight gain with predominant deposition of fat on the body with relatively thin limbs, the appearance of bright purple, wide (usually more than 1 cm wide) stretch marks on the skin, increased blood pressure, carbohydrate metabolism disorders (impaired carbohydrate tolerance or type 2 diabetes), sexual dysfunction, decreased body resistance to infections.

If you have noted a combination of asthenic symptoms with the above manifestations, contact an endocrinologist. The specialist will help eliminate endocrine disorders and normalize hormone levels, if necessary.

To prevent endocrine diseases, consume iodized salt with food, consume dairy products daily, maintain a normal and stable weight, sleep well (at least 7-8 hours a day), do aerobic exercise, walk in the fresh air, take prophylactic doses of vitamin D.

You can sign up for a consultation with an endocrinologist and get all the answers you need on the diagnosis of endocrine diseases by calling in Moscow +7 (495) 775 75 66

Prepared information for you:

Grechkina Alla Pavlovna – endocrinologist. Conducts a reception in the building of the clinic on Ozerkovskaya.

Depressive triad, main symptoms of depression

Author

Irina Korobkova

Head of the Department of Post-Stress Conditions and Sleep Disorders

Chief Specialist of the Network

Candidate of Medical Sciences

Psychiatrist

Creation date: 2017. 01.26

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Depression is a mental disorder, that is, a disease. And in this, depression differs from a simple state of dissatisfaction that can occur in every person. Our emotional perception is uneven, and this is normal. Periods of bad mood are acceptable and understandable, especially when there is an objective reason for this. But usually periods of depression and sadness are not too long, there will definitely be something to rejoice at, and our emotional background rises. But if you feel that in this situation you should be happy, but it doesn’t work out, if gloomy thoughts don’t leave you, if you don’t want to do anything – there is neither mental nor physical strength, then it is very likely that you have depression.

Any questions?

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Causes of depression

Depression results from a combination of social, biological, and psychological factors.

Depression

There are psychological types who are more likely to develop depression. If a person has excessive demands on himself, is inclined to scrupulously maintain order, wants his actions to always fully correspond to his understanding of correctness, then, faced with circumstances that do not allow him to follow a given high standard, such a person is inclined to experience the deformation of the picture of the world he created is especially tragic. At risk are also people with low self-esteem, prone to constant worries and insecure.

biological factors include heredity, head injuries, side effects of certain medications. Contribute to the development of depression can be a lack of hormones, hypovitaminosis. Among the causes are also called chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbance.

The group of social factors includes causes that can be interpreted as a trigger for depression. It is because of specific events that a person sinks into depression, but this is possible if other (biological and psychological) factors are added to the social cause. Among the social factors are stress (frequent stressful situations), negative relationships in the family or at work (for children – at school), abrupt changes in life, precedents of abuse or sexual harassment.

Symptoms of depression

The clinical picture of depression is formed by a complex of symptoms called depressive triad . This:

Decreased mood

The mood is usually characterized as anxious, depressed, oppressed, melancholy. Such a state can be defined as anhedonia – loss of the ability to experience joy. In depression, a person constantly experiences dissatisfaction. Sometimes it is directed outward and manifests itself as irritability, sometimes it is directed at oneself, and then the person is engaged in self-flagellation, feels a sense of guilt.

Decreased mental activity

Guilt would crush a person – with depression, thoughts of suicide sometimes really arise, but suicide attempts are extremely rare, since there is no acuteness of experiences. Psychological reactions are slowed down, smoothed out. A person becomes apathetic, perceiving what is happening to him more and more indifferently and indifferent to what is happening around him. He experiences difficulties in engaging in purposeful activities, eschews communication. It is difficult for him to concentrate, to make any decisions whatsoever.

Decreased physical activity

A person simply does not have the strength to perform any actions, including the most necessary ones. Appetite disappears. The person stops taking care of himself. It is difficult for him to leave the house. Movements become slow, reactions are inhibited. Depression is characterized by sleep disturbances: either increased drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia.

Methods for diagnosing depression

Depression is diagnosed if the complex of symptoms persists for more than 2 weeks. At the same time, it is believed that there should be at least 5 symptoms, which must include either a depressed mood, or a loss of a sense of pleasure or interest in life.

Psychotherapeutic testing

Depression is diagnosed by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist on the basis of a patient interview using special tests. Tests can also help determine the severity of depression.

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with the specialists of the Family Doctor network.

Treatments for depression

Various methods, as well as their combination, can be used in the treatment of depression. The more severe the depression, the more important is the use of drug therapy. However, the use of medications is not always necessary. In some cases, the effect can be achieved with the help of psychotherapy. Physiotherapy can also be used to treat depression.

In order to prevent depression, doctors recommend taking walks in the fresh air. It is especially important to catch fine days in the autumn-winter period.

Psychotherapeutic methods

Depression can be treated with individual and group methods.