Fatigue and headaches often go hand in hand.
For most people, headaches and tiredness are occasional nuisances.
They may disrupt productivity for a day or cause you to cancel plans for the evening.
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However, for some people, they can be a chronic, debilitating duo that affects their daily life.
They can also be a side effect of certain medications or sparked by lifestyle habits.
This article explores the relationship between fatigue and headaches.
It explains potential short-term and long-term causes of headaches and fatigue.
It also discusses potential treatments for fatigue and headaches and when you should see your healthcare provider.
What Causes Headaches and Fatigue?
Lifestyle factors, temporary illness, or chronic health conditions can cause a combination of headaches and fatigue.
Medications
Fatigue and headaches can also be side effects of medication.
Hormones may also be the culprit behind pregnancy-related and postpartum headaches and fatigue.
In addition, hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy can sometimes trigger headaches and fatigue.
Short-Term Illnesses
Headache and fatigue are also common in many short-term illnesses.
These include:
What Is Fatigue?
Fatigue is difficult to define, even within the medical profession.
When Fatigue is Chronic
Fatigue is considered chronic when it lasts for more than six months.
(That’s chronic fatigue as asymptom, not the disease called chronic fatigue syndrome.)
Who Gets Fatigue?
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints healthcare providers hear.
Everyone is likely to experience some level of fatigue at some point in their lives.
(Less than 10% of those people have chronic fatigue syndrome.)
For instance, is your fatigue related to your headache disorder?
Another medical or psychiatric condition?
Or “idiopathic,” meaning no known cause?
Your healthcare provider will help you take the steps to relieve you of co-occurring headaches and fatigue.
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