Fatigue in Older Adults, Health Tip

For older adults, being tired here and there may be common, says the National Institute on Aging. Illness, medication, emotional distress, poor sleep habits, alcohol and junk food are some of the many possible causes of fatigue.

To feel less tired, the agency suggests that older adults:

• Keep a fatigue diary to find patterns.
• Exercise moderately and regularly.
• Avoid naps of more than 30 minutes.
• Ask for help if you feel swamped.
• Stop smoking.

Some Illnesses Cause FatigueOlder man showing signs of fatigue.

Sometimes, fatigue can be the first sign that something is wrong in your body. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that affects the joints, often complain of fatigue. People with cancer may feel fatigued from the disease, treatments, or both.

Many medical problems and treatments can add to fatigue. These include:

• Taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and medicines for nausea and pain
• Having medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, or recovering from major surgery
• Infections
• Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Untreated pain and diseases like fibromyalgia
• Anemia
• Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders

Managing a health problem may make the fatigue go away. If you feel tired for several weeks with no relief, contact your doctor.