Chronic fatigue i.e. exhaustion
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Fatigue
Temporary fatigue and lower energy levels are normal parts of life, and everyone experiences them from time to time. If fatigue persists, does not improve with rest, interferes with daily activities, you should see a doctor to determine the cause
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LT,Keuhkosairauksien ja allergologian erikoislääk.
Palvelukoordinaattori, unihäiriöt
Revised 3/20/2025
Fatigue at a glance
- Fatigue can be mental, physical or emotional, but occasional fatigue that goes away with rest is not dangerous.
- In addition to an in-depth interview, a sleep diary and various monitoring forms, sleep-related problems, such as fatigue, can be examined by using various tests that measure sleep or alertness.
- The treatment of fatigue focuses on treating the causes with appropriate methods.
What is fatigue?
Fatigue can be mental, physical or emotional. When normal sleep and rest are not enough for you to feel refreshed and energised, you could be experiencing fatigue. The need for sleep is individual, but, on average, an adult needs 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night.
Temporary fatigue that goes away with rest is not dangerous – everyone feels tired every now and then. About 5% of people experience long-term fatigue, i.e. abnormal fatigue that occurs at least three days a week for three months.
What are the causes of fatigue?
Fatigue is often caused by factors related to life situation or lifestyle. These factors may include:
- too little sleep at night
- too little exercise
- exercise that is too strenuous without sufficient recovery
- heavy substance use
- hectic work without breaks
- shift work or working late in the evening
- a diet that is not varied and well-balanced
- excessive stress and
- sudden life changes
Being overweight or underweight is associated with several factors that cause fatigue.
The dark season can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which affects energy levels and coping. Spending time in the dark lowers energy levels, and regular variations in light and darkness promote both good sleep at night and activity during the day.
On the other hand, various conditions that require examination and treatment can cause fatigue.
Fatigue can be caused by, for example:
- certain mental health conditions
- infections and
- physical illness, such as diabetes, sleep apnoea, some neurological disorders and autoimmune disorders.
Certain medications – such as some antidepressants, relaxants, sedatives and sleeping pills – can also cause a decrease in daytime energy levels. Changes in medication can also increase fatigue.
Screen time, which often takes up a large part of our day, can interfere with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, making it difficult to fall asleep. Similarly, if you don't spend enough time relaxing before going to bed, it will be difficult for you to fall asleep and the quality of your sleep will decrease.
What can fatigue lead to?
Fatigue can be associated with, for example:
- problems with your memory or concentration
- getting more tired than normal during activities
- problems with interpersonal relationships when there are challenges in concentration and coping
- reduced attention
- slower reflexes
- challenges in realistically assessing one's own and others' actions
- a lower risk-taking threshold, which increases the probability of errors.
Fatigue increases the risk of accidents and makes you more likely to injure yourself while exercising, for example.
How can fatigue be prevented or treated?
The most effective treatment for fatigue depends on the cause of the fatigue. If the cause is lack of sleep, the most important treatment for fatigue is to reserve a period for sleep that is long and calm enough. It may be necessary to improve your lifestyle by, for example, increasing exercise and taking care of recovery, reducing your use of stimulants, improving sleep hygiene and reducing pressure. If the fatigue is not explained by lack of sleep, the cause should be determined in order to choose the right treatment. If the cause of fatigue is an illness, the illness in question must be treated appropriately.
Ensure the following:
- Adequate and regular rest
- Taking care of recovery: Do things that you enjoy to balance out your responsibilities, take breaks during the day both at work and while studying as well as in your free time, focus on the most important things and abandon unnecessary plans.
- Regular meal times and a varied diet: Maintain steady blood sugar levels, ensure an adequate intake of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, and invest in the quality of food. Instead of eating fast carbohydrates, aim for regular meal times and a diet that is high in protein, fibre and healthy fats.
- Reduce the use of caffeine and other stimulants, especially in the afternoon and evening.
- Drink enough water during the day
- Nurture meaningful relationships
- Wind down in the evening with restorative, relaxing activities. Dim the lighting in the evening before the bedtime routine and avoid blue light from screens (e.g. phone, TV, computer) for a couple of hours before bed.
- Taking care of sleep hygiene: A sufficiently dark, quiet and cool bedroom. A suitable pillow, duvet and bed that are replaced frequently enough.
- If necessary, use light therapy in the morning: Exposure to bright light for 30 minutes after waking up stimulates the body and promotes melatonin secretion in the evening.
If the self-treatment methods above are not enough to make your fatigue go away, it may be necessary to, for example, check your blood values, such as liver and thyroid values, iron and vitamin levels and blood sugar levels.
When to seek treatment for fatigue?
You should have your fatigue examined and, if necessary, treated if:
- a cause for the fatigue cannot be identified in your lifestyle
- a good night's sleep does not ease the fatigue
- you keep falling asleep during the day
- you also have other symptoms, such as pain, sleep disruptions, anxiety, unintentional weight loss or increased temperature
- the fatigue lasts for months, even if there are no other symptoms.
Examining and treating fatigue
At Mehiläinen, our professionals specialised in sleep-related problems, such as fatigue, will help you determine what is causing your fatigue and find the right treatment for you.
If a physical cause is revealed, the nature and extent of the fatigue can be surveyed more precisely with an at-home sleep registration study, i.e. a sleep polygraphy for sleep apnoea, carried out via Mehiläinen's laboratory.
The treatment of difficult sleep disorders may require the expertise of specialists in several different fields.
If necessary, Mehiläinen can combine the expertise of several specialists – such as neurologists, psychiatrists, pulmonologists, ENT doctors and clinical neurophysiologists – to examine sleep disorders and treat patients.
Prices are starting prices and depend on the selected studies and treatment methods. An outpatient clinic fee and Kanta fee are added to consultation visits.
| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Start of CPAP machine therapy (1st appointment with a sleep apnoea nurse) *The customer purchases a CPAP machine for themselves, starting from EUR 223.90. | from 223,90 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Initial examination for snoring | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
| Concise sleep polygraphy No Kela reimbursement will be paid for a concise sleep polygraphy. Learn more and book an appointment for a concise sleep polygraphy | from 542,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
| First appointment for a sleep apnoea oral appliance The estimated total price of a sleep apnoea oral appliance starts from about EUR 1,200. Learn more and book a first appointment for a sleep apnoea oral appliance | from 96,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 123,80 € |
| Initial evaluation for sleep apnoea | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
| Initial examination of sleep disorders | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
Related symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Deep exhaustion and weakness that does not improve with rest.
Insomnia
Being stressed and busy daily can make it difficult to calm down, which, in turn, will affect sleep.
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness and episodes of suddenly falling asleep may be caused by narcolepsy.
Other sleep disorders
Sleep disorders include restless legs and the rarer disorders of narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome and various parasomnias.
Restless legs syndrome
Uncomfortable sensations in the limbs at rest can disturb sleep.
Sleep apnoea
Narrowing of the airways and relaxation of the muscles during sleep can lead to pauses in breathing.
Snoring
Noise during sleep is caused by a narrowing of the airway.
Other related services
CPAP therapy
Positive airway pressure ventilation effectively reduces sleep apnoea symptoms and improves the quality of life.
Sleep apnea examination, night polygraphy
A reliable at-home examination to diagnose and assess the severity of sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea oral appliance
A treatment especially for mild sleep apnoea.
Frequently asked questions about fatigue
Fatigue, whether temporary or constant, can be physical, mental or emotional. Fatigue is usually caused by too little sleep or sleep that is not restorative enough. Fatigue is typically a result of factors related to life situation or lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, stress and recovery. Certain conditions and medications can also cause fatigue.
About 5% of people experience long-term fatigue, i.e. abnormal fatigue that occurs at least three days a week for three months.
To fight fatigue, make sure you have a regular lifestyle: Enough time for sleep and a regular circadian rhythm, a well-balanced diet and adequate hydration. Everyday activity and sufficient, appropriately intensive exercise. If the fatigue persists for a long time or starts to have a significant impact on your everyday life, you should have it examined.
To reduce morning fatigue, ensure good sleep hygiene, i.e. a sufficiently dark, cool and quiet sleeping environment. Waking up with either natural light or a wake-up light can help you wake up feeling more energised. Avoid heavy meals and, for example, caffeine before bedtime. If the fatigue persists for a long time or starts to have a significant impact on your everyday life, you should have it examined.
The right help for fatigue depends on the cause of the fatigue. If the cause is lack of sleep, the most important treatment for fatigue is to reserve a period for sleep that is long and calm enough. It may be necessary to improve your lifestyle by, for example, increasing exercise and taking care of recovery, reducing stimulant use, improving sleep hygiene and reducing pressure.
If the fatigue is not explained by lack of sleep, the cause should be determined in order to choose the right treatment. If the cause of fatigue is an illness, the illness in question must be treated appropriately. If the fatigue persists for a long time or starts to have a significant impact on your everyday life, you should have it examined.
You can influence your sleep through your actions during the day and evening. You can improve your quality of sleep by, for example, winding down in the evening, ensuring a regular circadian rhythm, having regular meal times and a varied diet, drinking enough water during the day, reducing or avoiding the use of caffeine and other substances, getting enough exercise and also ensuring recovery. In addition, you should ensure good sleeping conditions by making sure the space you sleep in is sufficiently quiet, dark and cool. Calming and relaxing breathing exercises can also help.
The need for sleep is individual, but the recommendation for adults is 7–9 hours per night. Children and young people usually need more sleep. It's important to remember that the quality of sleep is as important as its quantity.
