Tired All The Time?
Are you feeling tired all the time? You’re not alone. Millions of people feel exhausted, no matter how much they sleep. Tiredness and fatigue can be a sign that something is wrong with your health. Feeling tired is a common problem that can affect anyone at any age. While occasional fatigue is normal, persistent fatigue may be a sign of an underlying medical problem. This type of fatigue is different from feeling sleepy, which is usually caused by lifestyle choices, such as staying up late to watch television or sleep deprivation.
There are many potential causes of fatigue, including physical, mental, and emotional health problems. In some cases, fatigue may be a side effect of medication. Identifying the cause of fatigue is often the first step in finding a treatment that can improve your quality of life.
What are the common causes of fatigue?
There are many potential causes of fatigue. Some possible causes include:
Anaemia
A condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to your tissues and organs. If you’re not getting enough oxygen, you’ll feel tired all the time. Fortunately, anaemia can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Cancer
Cancerous tumours can release substances that interfere with how the body uses energy, leading to fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A disorder characterized by extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest.
Depression
A mental health disorder that can cause feelings of low mood, hopelessness and exhaustion.
Heart disease
Conditions like congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy can make it difficult for the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This in turn can lead to exhaustion.
Infections
Viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus, can cause long-term unexplained fatigue
Sleep disorders
Most adults need around eight hours of sleep per night. If you’re not hitting that target, you’re likely to feel tired all the time. If you’re struggling to fall or stay asleep, you might have a sleep disorder like insomnia or restless legs syndrome. These disorders can make it difficult to get the rest you need, leaving you feeling exhausted. Conditions like insomnia can lead to daytime fatigue
Thyroid problems
An imbalance in thyroid hormone levels can result in feeling weak and exhausted. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating your metabolism. If your metabolism is low, you’ll feel tired all the time. Hypothyroidism can also be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Lack of Excercise
Exercise is a great way to boost your energy levels and get rid of fatigue.
Stress
When you’re stressed out, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that can leave you feeling tired and drained.
Allergies
Allergies are a common cause of tiredness. They can sap your energy and make you feel exhausted, especially if they’re severe. You can test for a wide number of allergies to find out which allergen (trigger) you react to. The best treatment is to avoid your trigger. You may also want to consider using over-the-counter or prescription medications to help control your allergies.
If you’re experiencing persistent or unexplained fatigue, it is important to see your doctor so they can rule out any underlying medical conditions. In many cases, treating the underlying condition can improve your energy levels. There are also lifestyle changes you can make to help manage fatigue, such as getting regular exercise and practicing stress management techniques.
Tiredness can have a major impact on your quality of life – don’t let it control you, take charge and order a blood test today. It could be the first step to feeling like yourself again.
