Lack of energy by itself is rarely an emergency; however, if it develops suddenly or is accompanied by other serious symptoms, it may require immediate evaluation to avoid significant complications. If your lack of energy is persistent or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.

Lack of energy can be described as tiredness, weariness, lethargy, or fatigue. It can be accompanied by depression, decreased motivation, or apathy. Lack of energy can be a normal response to inadequate sleep, overexertion, overworking, stress, lack of exercise, or boredom. When part of a normal response, lack of energy often resolves with rest, adequate sleep, stress management, and good nutrition.

Persistent lack of energy that does not resolve with self-care may be an indication of an underlying physical or psychological disorder. Common causes include allergies and asthma, anemia, cancer, and its treatments, chronic pain, heart disease, infection, depression, eating disorders, grief, sleeping disorders, thyroid problems, medication side effects, alcohol use, or drug abuse.

Possible Causes

Patterns and symptoms of lack of energy may help you discover its cause. If it starts in the morning and lasts all day, it could be due to lack of sleep or depression.

If it develops as the day passes and is accompanied by dry skin, constipation, cold sensitivity, and weight gain, it may be caused by an underactive thyroid gland.

The combination of shortness of breath and lack of energy could be due to heart or lung problems. The goal of a doctor’s evaluation is to identify the root cause(s) for the condition.

Persistent fatigue with no clear diagnosis may result from chronic fatigue syndrome, which can start with a flu-like illness and is often not relieved with rest. Other symptoms, such as cognitive difficulties, prolonged exhaustion and illness after activity, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, headache, and tender lymph nodes, are common.

Lack of energy by itself is rarely an emergency; however, if it develops suddenly or is accompanied by other serious symptoms, it may require immediate evaluation to avoid significant complications.

Seek immediate medical care for sudden energy loss, dizziness, chest pain or pressure, confusion, loss of vision or changes in vision, high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), sudden swelling or weight gain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), change in the level of consciousness or alertness, severe pain, or if you think you might be a danger to yourself or others.

If your lack of energy is persistent or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.

What other symptoms might occur with a lack of energy?

Lack of energy may go together with other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder, or condition. Lack of energy is a nonspecific symptom, so identifying other symptoms may be helpful in determining its cause.

Lack of energy may accompany other symptoms affecting the heart or lungs including:

  • abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias);
  • chest pain;
  • cough;
  • dizziness;
  • rapid heart rate (tachycardia);
  • shortness of breath (worsens with exertion);
  • wheezing (whistling sound made with breathing);
  • other symptoms that may occur along with lack of energy.

Lack of energy may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

  • anxiety;
  • appetite changes;
  • change in bowel movements or diarrhea;
  • depressed mood;
  • feeling very thirsty;
  • fever;
  • frequent urination;
  • hair loss;
  • musculoskeletal pain;
  • nausea with or without vomiting;
  • skin changes;
  • unintentional weight gain or loss;
  • weakness (loss of strength);
  • serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition.

In some cases, a lack of energy may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

  • being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational, or suicidal behavior;
  • change in the level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness;
  • chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations;
  • high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit);
  • not producing any urine;
  • rapid heart rate (tachycardia);
  • respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing;
  • severe pain;
  • sudden change in vision;
  • sudden swelling or weight gain;
  • vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, or bloody stool.

Other Causes

Lack of energy may be caused by heart and lung problems including:

  • asthma;
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis);
  • coronary artery disease (plaque buildup in the walls of the coronary arteries);
  • congestive heart failure (deterioration of the heart’s ability to pump blood);
  • heart valve disease;
  • irregular heartbeat;
  • pneumonia;
  • psychosocial and neurological causes of lack of energy.

Lack of energy may be caused by psychosocial or neurological conditions including:

  • alcohol use;
  • anxiety disorders;
  • dementia;
  • depression;
  • drug abuse;
  • eating disorders;
  • grief;
  • overwork;
  • work shift changes;
  • other causes of lack of energy.

Lack of energy can also be caused by diseases, disorders, or conditions including:

  • anemia (low red blood cell count);
  • cancer and its treatment;
  • chronic fatigue syndrome;
  • chronic pain conditions;
  • diabetes (a chronic disease that affects your body’s ability to use sugar for energy);
  • kidney disease (includes any type of kidney problem, such as kidney stones, kidney failure, and kidney anomalies) or liver disease (includes any type of liver problem, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure);
  • infections;
  • malnutrition;
  • medication side effects;
  • rheumatologic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation), fibromyalgia (a chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness), and lupus;
  • sleep disorders;
  • thyroid disorders;
  • serious or life-threatening causes of lack of energy.

In some cases, a lack of energy may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:

  • acute decompensated heart failure (rapid deterioration of the heart’s ability to pump blood);
  • arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm);
  • drug overdose;
  • electrolyte imbalances;
  • exposure to environmental toxin or poison;
  • hemorrhage or internal bleeding;
  • severe depression;
  • severe infection;
  • trauma

Because lack of energy can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that a doctor designs specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

  • accidental trauma;
  • chronic pain;
  • depression;
  • disability;
  • isolation;
  • progressive heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease;
  • spread of cancer;
  • spread of infection.

If you’ve got any additional concerns or questions, please get in touch with our qualified medical expert to get a completely free consultation ASAP.