Most of us tend to blame a too-busy lifestyle as the root cause of feeling tired all the time. And most of the time, we are probably right. But if you notice feeling tired all the time or if you find yourself asking “why am I so tired even during the day?”, it is advised that you do not ignore this thought. Allow yourself to make some changes to your lifestyle: get more restful sleep, lay low on the social scene, take a multivitamin, drink more fluids, eat more wholesome foods, cut back on alcohol and caffeine. If you still find yourself feeling the symptoms of fatigue, it is suggested that you see your doctor immediately as excess exhaustion can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. Below are six of the most common problems you need to know about.
4) Anemia
The fatigue induced by anemia is caused by the shortage of red blood cells, which transport oxygen from your lungs to your organs, tissues and cells. You may feel a shortness of breath and you may also feel weak. Anemia may be caused by a vitamin or iron deficiency, internal bleeding, blood loss or more serious diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, kidney failure or cancer. Women within the child-bearing age are found to be more susceptible to iron-deficiency anemia due to the blood loss during menstruation and the body’s need for extra iron during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired all the time, difficulty in sleeping, extreme weakness, lack of focus, chest pains, rapid heartbeat and headache.
3) Thyroid Disease
When your thyroid hormones are out of order, even usual everyday activities will drain your energy. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and produces hormones that conrol your metabolism. Too little thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) results in a slowed down metabolism while too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) causes a sped up metabolism.
The usual symptom of hyperthyroidism is muscle weakness and fatigue, which you may notice first in the thighs. Simple physical activities like climbing the stairs or riding a bike become more difficult. Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss, increased heart rate, feeling warm all the time, less frequent and shorter menstrual flows and increased thirst.
Hyperthyroidism symptoms include fatigue, inability to focus and muscle soreness. Hyperthyroidism also causes weight gain due to water retention, more frequent and heavier menstrual flows, feeling cold all the time (even in warm weather) and constipation.
2) Diabetes
About a million are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes per year, but many more may not be even aware they have it. Sugar, also known as glucose, is the fuel that provides energy for your body. For people with type 2 diabetes, that means trouble as their bodies cannot use glucose properly. Instead, it builds up in their blood causing them to be lethargic as they do not have enough fuel to keep their bodies running smoothly.
Aside from feeling tired all the time, other symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, excessive hunger, blurred vision, irritability and yeast infections.
1) Depression
So much more than just a case of “having the blues”, depression is a serious condition that affects the way we eat, sleep and feel about ourselves and the world around us. If left unchecked, the symptoms of depression may last for weeks, months, or even years.
The symptoms of depression may differ from person to person as we do not all experience depression the same way. Commonly though, depression causes decreased energy levels, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, trouble with concentration and memory and feelings of negativity, hopelessness and worthlessness.
