What Causes Mystery Fatigue?
A friend invites you out to dinner but you’re too tired to keep the plans. Your co-workers want to hang out for drinks after work but all you want to do is go to bed. Your husband wants some “alone” time but you’re just not in the mood. People are starting to wonder if you’re lazy, rude or just making it up. When you suffer from mystery symptoms, you don’t want to hear, “it’s all in your head.”
Learn what causes mystery fatigue and what you can do about it.
Constipation
Believe it or not, constipation can be a cause of mystery fatigue. If you don’t visit the bathroom at least once per day or you have to strain to “go”, you’re constipated.
Chronic constipation can lead to a build-up of toxins in the system and prevent you from absorbing essential nutrients from food, which can cause mystery fatigue.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. If you’re intolerant to this protein, each time you eat it, your immune system goes into overdrive trying to defend you from what it mistakenly believes is a foreign invader.
If you experience belly bloating, diarrhea, constant gas, abdominal pain, brain fog and fatigue, you might have gluten intolerance.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid, can cause mystery fatigue. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Inability to Lose Weight
- Constipation
- Sensitivity to Cold
- Muscle Aches and Stiffness
- Abnormally Heavy Menstrual Periods
- Brittle Hair and Fingernails
- Depression
- Elevated Cholesterol Levels
- Puffy Face
- Pale, Dry Skin
If you suspect hypothyroidism is causing your mystery fatigue, visit a doctor to get a blood test to know for sure.
Urinary Tract Infection
Most people associate urinary tract infections with burning and itching during urination. It may surprise you to know a urinary tract infection may have no other symptom other than mystery fatigue. The best way to tell if an undiagnosed UTI is causing your fatigue is to get tested by a doctor.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is another common cause of mystery fatigue. This type of fatigue is constant and isn’t relieved by rest. Other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are:
- Forgetfulness
- Joint Pain Without Swelling or Redness
- All-Over Muscle Weakness
- Sudden and Lasts for at Least 6 Months
- Unusual Headaches
- Sore Lymph Nodes in the Neck or Under the Arms
- Sore Throat
- Irritability
- Being Unusually Fatigued After Mild Exercise
- Extreme Difficulty Participating in Everyday Activities
Though the exact cause of CFS is unknown, it has been liked to Epstein Barr, herpes virus-6 and inflammation in the nervous system.
If you’re experiencing mystery fatigue, there are plenty of natural treatments for each of the above causes of it. The best way to solve any health problem is to eliminate any hidden causes such as diet or environmental influences and help the body heal itself.
