What Chronic Fatigue Could Be Telling You
While most people assume chronic fatigue is caused by lifestyle or sleep issues, there is actually a possibility very few consider: rare diseases.
So, if you are constantly running out of energy, to the point where even basic, everyday tasks feel overwhelming, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor and investigate potential causes, such as EGPA or Fabry Disease, for example.
In this article we explore the red signs you should be aware of.
What Does Chronic Fatigue Feel Like?
This condition is not just the usual tiredness many people experience. It is a deep, ongoing lack of energy that persists even after sleep or rest. People with pathological low energy levels often describe:
- A heavy, dragging feeling in the body
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Waking up feeling unrested
- Needing excessive recovery time after activity
- A general sense of weakness or “running on empty”
This condition can be physical, mental, or both. If it persists without clear cause, it is often a clinical symptom of a deeper, sometimes undiagnosed, health issue.
When Should You Be Concerned?
If you feel fatigued all the time and the condition doesn’t improve with rest or lasts for weeks or months it is a valid medical concern, especially if you also experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle or joint pain
- Abdominal discomfort or swelling
- Skin changes or unusual bruising
- Neurological symptoms like numbness or tingling
If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but you still feel exhausted, a rare disease might be the missing link.
What Causes Severe Exhaustion?
There are many potential causes of overwhelming low energy levels that won´t go away, ranging from lifestyle factors to underlying medical conditions.
More common causes include:
- Sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea
- Nutrient deficiencies, anemia, or thyroid imbalances
- Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a distinct clinical condition that should not be confused with extreme exhaustion as a symptom
ME/CFS is a complex disease with its own diagnostic criteria. It is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed but not considered rare. However, it differs from the symptom of tremendous low energy levels, which can also appear in many chronic inflammatory or rare diseases.
When extreme lack of energy persists and occurs alongside other unexplained symptoms, especially when no clear diagnosis has been made, it may be worth exploring whether a rare disease could be the underlying cause.
Could a Rare Disease Be Causing Your Chronic Fatigue?
Some rare conditions begin with constant exhaustion as one of the earliest and most prominent symptoms. If this is paired with other vague or seemingly unrelated issues, it’s worth investigating further.
Persistent Lack of Energy and EGPA
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in blood vessels. Severe lack of energy often appears early, sometimes even before other symptoms like asthma, nerve pain, or skin rashes emerge. Because it starts subtly, EGPA is frequently missed in early stages.
Other Rare Diseases That Frequently Involve Low Energy Levels:
- Fabry Disease: Can include burning pain in hands and feet, intolerance to heat, and extreme lack of energy;
- Gaucher Disease: May cause overwhelming weariness alongside bone pain, bruising, and an enlarged spleen or liver;
- Hereditary Angioedema (HAE): Intense tiredness may be present with unpredictable swelling episodes;
- Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS I, II, IV): Involves tremendous low energy levels with skeletal changes or joint stiffness;
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH): Commonly starts with profound exhaustion caused by destruction of red blood cells;
- ATTR Amyloidosis: May lead to persistent tiredness along with symptoms like swelling, weight loss, or numbness;
Take the First Step Toward Clarity
If you’re feeling fatigued all the time or have other unexplained symptoms that might be linked to a rare disease you can use our free Risk Check for Rare Diseases.
Just fill out our Patient Form and we will take care of the rest. Your case will be reviewed with advanced technology and verified by our experienced medical experts.
Early diagnosis and treatment can make a real difference. Don’t wait. Get clarity today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What could be the reason for constant fatigue?
Constant exhaustion can result from sleep problems, nutrient deficiencies, or mental health issues. It can also point to a rare underlying disease like EGPA, Fabry, or Amyloidosis, especially when other unexplained symptoms are present.
What disease causes a lot of fatigue?
EGPA, Gaucher disease, PNH, and Fabry disease are rare conditions where extreme lack of energy is often a key symptom, sometimes long before a diagnosis is made.
What are the three warning signs of fatigue?
- Low energy levels that don´t go away with rest
- Tiredness paired with other symptoms (e.g. pain, swelling, shortness of breath)
- Interference with your ability to function normally
Sources:
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). (n.d.). Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss Syndrome).
- Orphanet. (n.d.). Fabry disease.
- National Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD). (n.d.). Gaucher disease.
- Mayo Clinic. (2023). Fatigue: Causes.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH).
- MedlinePlus. (2023). Fatigue.