Morning fatigue is an unusually low energy level in the mornings. People with morning fatigue are not necessarily drowsy or tired, and sleeping will not help them feel better. They can wake up feeling fatigued, or rapidly develop fatigue in the mornings. Since energy levels are usually high when people wake up, morning fatigue can be a cause for concern. There are a number of reasons for people to develop fatigue in the mornings and these can be considered during a medical evaluation.
A common cause is disordered sleeping. People with sleep disorders like apnea and insomnia can be fatigued in the morning, as can people doing shift work or changing their sleeping schedules. Another cause can be depression, in which case energy levels may remain low throughout the day. The fatigue in people with depression can be accompanied by generally depressed feelings and unhappiness.
Chronic conditions including low blood pressure, thyroid problems, anemia, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are also linked with morning fatigue. In addition, certain medications can tire people out; cancer therapy is a common cause of fatigue, for example. A differential diagnosis and evaluation can be used to determine whether a patient has an underlying medical problem. Patients with known medical conditions who notice a change in status like the sudden development of fatigue may consider reevaluation to see if something about the condition has changed.
Some causes of morning fatigue can be treated, resolving low energy levels in the morning and helping patients resume normal levels of activity. Others cannot be treated, but may be managed with medical care. Budgeting energy usage can be helpful for patients, as can having assistance during periods of high fatigue. For example, parents of young children who have difficulty helping their children in the mornings could receive help from a partner or childcare provider.
Sudden changes in energy levels at any time of the day can be an indicator of a developing medical problem. Everyone has occasional off days, but if fatigue and other symptoms persist for several days, grow worse, or are accompanied with symptoms like feeling fuzzyheaded, being sleepy, or feeling unbalanced, a patient may have a serious medical problem. Evaluating a patient fully for all possible causes can take several weeks and may include extensive diagnostic testing including medical imaging, taking blood samples, and conducting patient interviews to learn more about a patient's lifestyle, usual energy level, and potential risk factors for disease.