What should you know about mental and physical exhaustion?

Exhaustion may involve heavy limbs, poor stamina, slowed thinking, irritability, low motivation or a need for more rest. Stress, grief, demanding work, poor sleep, dehydration and infection can contribute. Anaemia, coeliac disease, kidney disease, alcohol use, burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome are other possibilities; the symptom alone cannot identify one condition.

Notice when it began, whether rest helps, and what happens with activity. Record sleep, mood, appetite, weight change, fever, pain, breathlessness, thirst, urination, bleeding, medicines and alcohol. This gives a clinician a clearer starting point.

Keep meals and fluids regular, use gentle activity within your limits and protect a consistent sleep routine. Break demanding tasks into smaller parts and plan recovery time. Avoid using alcohol or stimulants to push through exhaustion. A clinician can review your symptoms, medicines and mental health, and decide whether examination or tests are needed.

Arrange medical review if exhaustion lasts, worsens, repeatedly returns or interferes with work, study, self-care or driving. Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new confusion, one-sided weakness, dehydration with inability to keep fluids down, or thoughts of self-harm.

What causes should we consider from my symptoms and history? Do I need an examination or tests, and how can I pace activity while we work out the reason?