Worn out or worn down? How to tell the difference between tiredness and fatigue

Have you ever felt like no amount of coffee or rest can shake off your lingering exhaustion? Do you wake up from a full night's sleep and still find yourself dragging?

If so, you might be dealing with more than just tiredness; you could be experiencing fatigue.

Fatigue is not just a fleeting feeling of sleepiness - it's a deep-seated exhaustion that can impact your daily life and point to more serious health conditions. However, these feelings are often dismissed as simply needing more sleep or seen as a normal part of a busy lifestyle. According to recent research by MD Live, an Evernorth company, and leading virtual care provider, many aren't aware of what fatigue is despite experiencing symptoms, and 35% rarely think about the reasons behind their tiredness.

"While we often use words like 'tired' and 'exhausted' interchangeably, there are distinct and clinical differences between tiredness and fatigue," explains Dr. Maggie Williams, medical director for MD Live Primary Care. "Occasional tiredness can often be managed with better sleep habits or lifestyle changes, but fatigue is a persistent exhaustion that could signal underlying health issues that should be discussed with a doctor."

Dr. Williams shares telltale ways to determine whether you may be experiencing simple tiredness or if your symptoms might point to something more serious.

1. Scrutinize your sleep