Lethargy causes you to feel sleepy or fatigued and sluggish. This sluggishness may be physical or mental. People with these symptoms are described as lethargic.
Lethargy can be related to an underlying physical or mental condition.
Lethargy can cause some or all of the following symptoms:
- changes in mood
- 警觉性下降ordecreased ability to think
- fatigue
- low energy
- sluggishness
People with lethargy may act as if they’re in a daze. They may move more slowly than usual.
Many kinds of acute illnesses can make you feel lethargic. This includes thefluor astomach virus. Other physical or medical conditions can also cause lethargy, such as:
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- dehydration
- fever
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
- hydrocephalusorbrain swelling
- kidney failure
- Lyme disease
- meningitis
- pituitarydiseases, such aspituitary cancer
- nutrition deficiencies
- sleep apnea
- stroke
- 创伤性脑损伤
Lethargy can also be the result of mental health conditions. These include:
Lethargy can also be a side effect of taking certain medications, such as narcotics.
Symptoms of lethargy may require emergency medical attention, especially if they come on suddenly. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience lethargy along with the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- unresponsiveness or minimal responsiveness
- inability to move your limbs on one side of your body
- disorientation, such as not knowing your name, the date, or your location
- fast heart rate
- paralysis on one or both sides of your face
- loss of consciousness
- rectal bleeding
- severeheadache
- shortness of breath
- vomiting blood
Any noticeable, marked changes in behavior accompanied by lethargy are often cause for concern. Seek immediate medical attention if you experiencethoughts of harming yourselfalong with lethargy. TheHealthline FindCare toolcan provide options in your area if you don’t already have a doctor.
You may also want to make an appointment at your doctor’s office if you experience any of these symptoms alongside lethargy:
- achesandpainsthat don’t go away with treatment
- difficulty sleeping
- difficulty toleratinghot or cold temperatures
- eye irritation
- fatigue that lasts longer than two weeks
- feelings ofsadnessorirritability
- swollen neck glands
- unexplained weightgainorloss
Lethargy in babies or young children
Babies or young children can also experience lethargy. Symptoms in babies that may need immediate medical attention include:
- difficult to rouse
- fever greater than 102°F (38.9°C)
- dehydration symptoms, such as crying without tears,dry mouth, or few wet diapers
- suddenrash
- vomiting forcefully, especially for more than 12 hours
Your doctor will usually take a full medical history to discuss any of your previous medical conditions.
They may also perform aphysical examthat can include:
- listening to your heart and lungs
- checking for bowelsoundsandpain
- evaluating yourmental awareness
Diagnostic testing typically depends on what your doctor suspects may be an underlying cause. For example, if your doctor thinks you may have athyroid disorder, they may order blood tests to determine if your thyroid hormones are high or low.
Your doctor may order imaging studies, such as aCTorMRIscan, if they suspect the cause isbrain-related, such asa head injury,stroke, or meningitis.
Treatment for lethargy depends upon its underlying cause.
For example, they may prescribeantidepressantsif your lethargy is caused bydepressionor another mental health disorder.
You can practice healthy habits at home to reduce the fatigue related to lethargy. Examples include:
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if these healthy habits don’t help your symptoms.
