You got a proper eight hours but you are still feeling tired; Now you’re wondering what could be the cause of the fatigue. It can sometimes be difficult to determine what is causing your fatigue but we can highlight some major causes of fatigue to be depression, sleep apnea, anemia and lifestyle habits.
Why People Feel Tired?
In fact, getting to the root of what’s causing a patient’s exhaustion is one of the most difficult questions primary care doctors face, according to Cory Fisher, a family medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic.
Here is a list of the most common conditions associated with fatigue, as well as lifestyles that play a part as a cause of fatigue.
Anemia
Anemia occurs when there are insufficient red blood cells to transport oxygen to all of the body’s remote outposts.
Lower energy and fatigue result from a lack of oxygen, and anemia is one of the most common causes of chronic fatigue.
The most common type of Anemia occurs when you have a low iron level, which can be caused by gastric bypass surgery, heavy periods, chronic diseases, or vitamin deficiencies.
If you have anemia, a simple blood test can confirm it. Treatment is determined by the cause of your red blood cell deficiency.
First, any underlying conditions should be addressed. Otherwise, your doctor may advise you to take vitamin supplements and/or make dietary changes.
Celiac Illness
Celiac illness is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the small intestine after consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.
“Because the small intestine is so disrupted, you’re not getting the nutrients you need,” says Gerald Bernstein, MD, endocrinologist and team leader of the Friedman Diabetes Scheme at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
This can result in not only causing fatigue but also anemia, diarrhea, and loss of weight.
The only cure is to avoid gluten-containing foods. Fruits and vegetables, fish and meat, beans, rice, potatoes, and quinoa are all naturally gluten-free.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is more than just difficulty sleeping. It’s like when your airways close and you stop breathing again and again during the night, which unsurprisingly, wakes you up instantly.
People suffering from sleep apnea are exhausted as a result of the frequent interruptions.
It is more common in obese people and obesity, increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which keeps your airways open while you sleep, is the standard treatment for sleep apnea.
CPAP machines work, but many people dislike wearing them and are now using oral devices instead.
The only true cure for sleep apnea is to lose weight or have operation to remove tissue from your throat.
Click here to learn more about sleep apnea, its types, signs and symptoms, risk factors and consequences.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fatigue is, of course, the defining symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), but with specific characteristics.
It is fatigue that lasts at least six months, worsens with mental or physical exhaustion, and does not improve no matter how often you rest. Women in their forties and fifties are more likely to suffer from it.
Nobody knows what causes CFS, and it’s usually diagnosed by ruling out other conditions and taking other common symptoms into account, such as a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and difficulty concentrating.
There is no cure or specific treatment for the condition. Instead, lifestyle changes such as pacing yourself can provide you with more energy. Medication or cognitive therapy may help some people.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia isn’t the most obvious cause of fatigue, but it’s a significant one, along with poor sleep quality and memory and mood issues. Women are more likely to suffer from this condition.
Scientists do not fully comprehend fibromyalgia, but they believe it is prompted by altering the way your brain processes pain receptors.
While there is no cure, a number of medications can help control the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Exercise, relaxation, and stress-reduction techniques may be beneficial.
Certain antidepressants may help relieve fibromyalgia fatigue, not only by controlling pain, which is stressful in and of itself, but also through other mechanisms.
Chronic Pain
Constant pain, for whatever reason. will exhaust you
“It takes energy,” Dr. Bernstein says. Your body is preoccupied with dealing with the inflammation that is causing the disease.
Coming to terms with pain can also make it difficult to sleep and exercise, exacerbating the tired feeling. Certain pain relievers may deplete your energy as well.
According to Dr. Bernstein, any chronic disease, not just chronic pain, can lead to fatigue because it diverts energy away from daily living.
If you have chronic pain and believe it is contributing to your fatigue, talk to your doctor about options for treating the underlying condition that is causing the pain while also treating your exhaustion.
Thyroid Problems
Fatigue can be caused by both an underactive and overactive thyroid. The more common cause, however, is an underactive gland that does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
A hypothyroid thyroid, also known as an underactive thyroid, can cause weight gain and muscle aches.
“With an underactive thyroid, the body compensates to some extent, but if the gland is unable to produce a normal amount of thyroid hormone, the body will gradually lose the ability to generate energy, not only for day-to-day activity, but also for cell growth and metabolism,” explains Dr. Bernstein.
Replacement thyroid hormone is used to treat hypothyroidism. Different medications, as well as surgery, can be used to treat an overactive thyroid gland, also known as hyperthyroidism.
Depression
The stress of everyday life can exhaust you. Being depressed or anxious can exacerbate the situation significantly.
Fatigue caused by depression is more than just a lack of energy to get through the day; it also includes apathy, difficulty focusing and remembering and feelings of overwhelm and unmotivation.
This can lead to a vicious cycle, with depression fueling fatigue, which fuels depression.
And also some antidepressants may exacerbate the problem. If you suffer from depression and fatigue, talk to your doctor about antidepressants that don’t cause fatigue as well as alternative treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis fatigue, a chronic disease that damages the nerves, can have a variety of causes, some of which would exhaust anyone.
Problems with your bladder, as well as muscle spasms may wake you up several times during the night.
Depression, which is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), can contribute to fatigue, as can the amount of energy required to perform once-simple tasks like brushing your teeth.
Then there’s lassitude, which is a type of fatigue that only people with MS experience. This so-called “MS fatigue” is more severe, occurs on a daily basis, worsens with heat and humidity, and can appear out of nowhere.
Consult your doctor about MS treatments as well as treatments for specific symptoms such as fatigue. These can include everything from physical or occupational therapy to medications and staying out of the sun.
Lifestyle Habits
Chronic exhaustion is sometimes caused by something other than a medical condition. It can be caused by a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle habit.
On the one hand, you are not required to seek treatment for another disorder, but you will need to change your routine in order to improve.
“When we do a good exam and nothing really reveals itself,” Dr. Fisher says, “we’re left with talking in depth about self care.”
Tiredness can be caused by a variety of habits. The more obvious aspect is how much sleep you get each night, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
For starters, your exercise habits, as well as your diet and screen time, can all have an impact on how much energy you have.
If you suspect a specific aspect of your routine is to blame, consult with your primary care physician about how you can make changes to begin feeling less tired.
