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What is Central Fatigue?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Central fatigue is a form of fatigue originating in the central nervous system that is not necessarily a response to physically demanding conditions, but other factors, like levels of certain compounds in the body. In central fatigue, people feel a sense of intense tiredness and may want to lie down or sleep. There are a number of theories to explain how this type of fatigue develops, and it is a topic of interest for researchers, as it has been implicated in conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.

Very high levels of serotonin are observed in people with central fatigue, and many people also have elevated levels of tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin. Some researchers have suggested that this state occurs when too much tryptophan passes over the blood-brain barrier in response to metabolic changes, triggering serotonin overproduction. People have also explored the role of glycogen stores, with some studies indicating that the central nervous system responds to depleted glycogen by triggering central fatigue to protect the body from damage.

People with central fatigue feel a sense of extreme tiredness.
People with central fatigue feel a sense of extreme tiredness.

This state appears to be tied in with circadian rhythms. During normal sleep points in the sleep-wake cycle, organisms often develop central fatigue even if there is no physical reason to be tired. It could be thought of as the central nervous system's way of flashing the lights to warn people that the show is about to begin. People with disrupted sleep-wake cycles can develop extreme fatigue, sometimes at odd hours. This can be seen in people with insomnia, who may experience central fatigue during the day but still be unable to sleep.

People with conditions associated with central fatigue sometimes have difficulty explaining it.
People with conditions associated with central fatigue sometimes have difficulty explaining it.

One theory about central fatigue suggests that it may kick in when people overexercise. If people exercise too long, causing core temperature to rise while levels of stored glycogen drop, the body is at risk of organ damage. The central nervous system may trigger a fatigued state to get the athlete to stop and rest with the goal of making the person more aware of symptoms of low blood glucose and overheating. Once people have rested, had a snack, rehydrated, and cooled down, they may have energy again.

People with central fatigue may have elevated levels of serotonin and tryptophan.
People with central fatigue may have elevated levels of serotonin and tryptophan.

People with conditions associated with central fatigue sometimes have difficulty explaining it, because it is not directly connected to physical activity levels. They may be able to engage in regular physical activities one day and be too tired to move the next, due to disturbances in the chemical balance of the brain.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon963617

@wavy58: I hear you. My pop always called me lazy and now I call myself that when I just have no drive, no ambition to do much and when I do it is unsustainable. I've tried dietary changes, exercises and supplements, but they don't seem to be helping as much as I had hoped.

OeKc05

@feasting – I don't know if there is a treatment available yet. I have friends who deal with central fatigue and insomnia, and they tried taking serotonin pills, but that didn't work out well. They were able to sleep, but they were also even more fatigued the following day.

feasting

CNS fatigue can make life seem unbearable. It is hard for me to make it through a regular work day because of this fatigue.

After what seems like a good start to a day with coffee and fruit for breakfast, I start to lose energy on the drive to work. By the time I get there, it is a chore just to walk from the car to the office, and they are only a few feet away from each other.

I've tried taking vitamins and changing my diet, but nothing is working. I've done everything that I know to do. Is there anything that I can take that will regulate my body and give me more energy?

wavy58

I used to just have fatigue after exercise, but in the last few years, I've had fatigue all the time. It doesn't make sense to me that on a day when I've done nothing but sit around, I am as tired as if I had run a marathon!

I suppose I have central fatigue. It's nice to know that it actually exists, because my family has accused me of just being lazy. I tell them that I physically can't be on the move when I feel like this, but they don't believe me.

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    • People with central fatigue feel a sense of extreme tiredness.
      By: Antonioguillem
      People with central fatigue feel a sense of extreme tiredness.
    • People with conditions associated with central fatigue sometimes have difficulty explaining it.
      By: pathdoc
      People with conditions associated with central fatigue sometimes have difficulty explaining it.
    • People with central fatigue may have elevated levels of serotonin and tryptophan.
      By: Alliance
      People with central fatigue may have elevated levels of serotonin and tryptophan.
    • Central fatigue may begin during overexercising.
      By: bonninturina
      Central fatigue may begin during overexercising.