7 Serious Reasons You’re Tired All The Time
Have you been asking yourself, “Why am I tired all the time?!” lately? If so, you might be dealing with more than just a lack of sleep.
Before you jump to conclusions, try this simple test. For the next two weeks, introduce some healthy changes to your routine. For example, sleep more, socialize a little less often, and eat a more nutritious diet. Additionally, drink more water and cut back on caffeine and alcohol.
“If you’re still feeling the symptoms of fatigue after those changes, then you need professional help,” says Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, an internist in Atlanta. Indeed, excess exhaustion could be the sign of a more serious medical condition. Below are some of the most common problems.
1. Anemia
Anemia causes fatigue due to a lack of red blood cells. These cells are responsible for bringing oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and cells. As a result, you may feel weak and short of breath. An iron or vitamin deficiency, blood loss, internal bleeding, or a chronic disease can all cause anemia. Some of these chronic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or kidney failure.
Laurence Corash, MD, an adjunct professor of laboratory medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, explains further. He notes that women of childbearing age are especially susceptible to iron-deficiency anemia. This is because of blood loss during menstruation. Moreover, the body needs extra iron during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Symptoms: Fatigue is a major symptom. Others include extreme weakness, difficulty sleeping, and a lack of concentration. You might also experience a rapid heartbeat, chest pains, and headaches. Consequently, simple exercise, such as climbing stairs or walking short distances, can cause fatigue.
Tests: A thorough evaluation for anemia involves a complete physical exam and blood tests.
2. Diabetes
Sugar, also called glucose, is the fuel that keeps your body going. However, this creates trouble for people with type 2 diabetes. They cannot use glucose properly, which causes it to build up in the blood. Without enough energy to keep the body running smoothly, people with diabetes often notice fatigue as one of the first warning signs. This insight comes from Christopher D. Saudek, MD, a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Symptoms: Aside from exhaustion, other signs include excessive thirst and frequent urination. You might also notice hunger, weight loss, irritability, vaginal yeast infections, and blurred vision.
Tests: There are two major tests for diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose test is more common. It measures your blood glucose level after you fast for 8 hours, usually first thing in the morning. A second test is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). For this test, a professional draws blood twice: just before you drink a glucose syrup, and then again 2 hours later.
3. Thyroid Disease
The thyroid gland is about the size of a kiwi fruit and is found in the front of your neck. This gland produces hormones that control your metabolism. When it produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), your metabolism speeds up. Conversely, when it produces too little (hypothyroidism), your metabolism slows down.
Symptoms: Hyperthyroidism causes muscle fatigue and weakness. You may notice this first in your thighs, making exercises like riding a bike or climbing stairs more difficult. Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss and feeling warm all the time. Furthermore, you might have an increased heart rate, shorter and less frequent menstrual flows, and increased thirst.
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