Being tired is such a fact of modern life that it’s easy to forget that it’s NOT normal. Sure, if you had a late night, just moved into a new house, started a new job, or are ill, you’re going to feel tired for a time. But if fatigue has become a part of your daily life, if no amount of sleep seems to help, or if fatigue penetrates you to the bone then it’s a real health problem.
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There are several causes of chronic or long-standing tiredness. Listed below are some of the health conditions which could be the reason behind your lost-spark:
Anemia:
Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. When you are anemic your body doesn’t receive enough oxygen, thereby making you feel tired all the time. Anemia is the leading cause of fatigue in women. If your periods are heavy or come at shorter intervals than normal you could be at risk of developing anemia.
Depression:
Depression is one of the common causes of fatigue and listlessness. Though depression is an emotional disorder, a lot of physical symptoms such as body ache, headache, loss of libido, tiredness and sleep disturbances are known to be present.
Hypothyroidism:
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It controls your metabolism and the rate at which your body converts fuel into energy. When it is under active you tend to gain weight, feel lethargic, suffer from constipation and hair fall.
If you have at least two of these symptoms your doctor may ask you to get tested for hypothyroidism.
Diabetes:
When you have diabetes, your body is unable to convert what you eat into energy. Sugar remains in our bloodstream and doesn’t enter our muscles and cells. As a result, in spite of eating well, you feel listless and low on energy.
If you are tired all the time, losing weight for no reason and feel thirsty all the time – your doctor might run some tests to rule out diabetes.
Not enough fuel:
If you are on a diet and have cut down your intake, you could feel low on energy. Especially if your diet is a ‘low-carb’ one. If weight-loss is on your mind, make sure you don’t completely cut out any particular food group. Eating a well-balanced diet is important for keeping your energy levels up at all times.
Sleep Apnoea Syndrome:
In sleep apnoea, your breathing stops for brief periods through the night. Because of this, your sleep gets interrupted several times, leading to insufficient and inadequate sleep. As a result, you feel tired and sleepy throughout the day.
Sleep apnoea should be ruled out in obese, over-weight people complaining of tiredness and drowsiness throughout the day.
Worm Infestation:
Intestinal worms are parasites deriving nutrition from the human gut. When you contract worm infestations you could feel low on energy because the parasites are feeding on your fuel. De-worming yourself once in three to six months is a good way of making sure you are free from intestinal parasites.
If you can’t seem to get out of first gear until mid-afternoon and are low on energy in spite of being well-rested, you should consult your physician to rule out the above health problems.
