Here are seven common causes of fatigue and suggestions for overcoming them.
If you are constantly tired even after getting enough sleep, you may be suffering from a health problem. This juggling act we call modern life You do your best to juggle work with the rest of your life, including things like meeting financial obligations, maintaining
If you are constantly tired even after getting enough sleep, you may be suffering from a health problem.
This juggling act we call modern life You do your best to juggle your job with the needs of you and your family, such as meeting financial obligations, maintaining your home and transportation, and putting food on the table. It's no surprise that 50% of people polled by the National Sleep Foundation in 2020 reported feeling tired on most days of the week.
There's no doubt that our hectic schedules can drain us completely. But what if you're getting enough rest, but you still can't seem to muster the energy to do the things that you want and need to?
That question requires drawing a line between sleepiness and fatigue, as W. M.D. Christopher Winter Charlottesville, Virginia-based sleep neurologist and author of The Rested Child and The Sleep Solution.
According to him, "tired" can mean "sleepy" to some people. I'm so sleepy that if my boss keeps talking, I'll nod off in the meeting if I just sit there. For some, fatigue isn't caused by a lack of sleep but rather a lack of energy. ”
Knowing the distinction will aid in diagnosis and discussion with your doctor.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults need 7+ hours of sleep per night for optimal performance. Assuming you are getting enough sleep, your tiredness may have nothing to do with how late you go to bed. Seven of the most frequent offenders are explored here.
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7 frequent reasons for feeling tired
These are the causes to investigate if you find that no amount of sleep will help.
Chronic apnea during sleep
So, you're in bed for 7 hours, but how deep is that sleep, really? The leading cause of daytime sleepiness is sleep apnea. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, fatigue is the No. He practices sleep medicine as a clinical psychologist in New York City.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly throughout the night. There are at least 10-second long periods of shallow or absent breathing. Additionally, these occurrences frequently occur at night. Forcing the subject to rouse in order to resume breathing each time. These awakenings are so fleeting that the individual might forget they ever occurred.
Despite its prevalence, "a lot of sleep apnea goes undiagnosed," Tal says. "You should get checked out if you find yourself falling asleep in the car or in front of the TV after an hour. A CPAP is 100% effective for sleep apnea, according to Tal, if it is determined that you actually have the condition.
Related material: the essentials on sleep apnea
Depression
According to Tal, fatigue is a common sign of depression. One of the symptoms of depression is a decrease in energy. It's also possible to lose interest in previously pleasurable pursuits. Not to mention the fact that it can make even the simplest of tasks feel like an enormous ordeal
Some people's inability to fall asleep smoothly has been linked to their depression. But if you're getting enough rest but still feeling down and lethargic, Tal suggests getting checked out for depression.
In addition, Tal suggests that antidepressant treatment has the potential to restore your vigor. (Read on for our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions people have had about depression treatment. )
Subpar Thyroid Function
A gland located in the front of the neck, the thyroid secretes hormones that aid in the body's thermoregulation and cellular energy metabolism. It regulates vital processes like heart rate and gastrointestinal function. (Who would have guessed a tiny gland like this could exert such influence?) )
Inadequate levels of thyroid hormone can impair these metabolic processes. Low thyroid function is known as hypothyroidism. Fatigue being a prominent symptom Constipation, weight gain, and feelings of weakness or stiffness are some additional symptoms. If you're experiencing any of these, or any other symptoms of hypothyroidism, it's important to see a doctor.
Adverse drug reactions
Many medications cause fatigue as a side effect. Dr. Fung suggests that if you are experiencing unexplained fatigue, you discuss your medication regimen with your physician. Winter To some extent, they may be able to assist in identifying potential perpetrators.
Alternate dosing schedules, taking the drug at different times of the day, and even switching to a different drug altogether are all options.
Some common medications that can make you sleepy are:
- Sleeping pills and allergy medication both contain antihistamines.
- Antidepressants
- Drugs used to treat high blood pressure (beta blockers, for example).
- Substances used to induce sleep, such as benzodiazepines (such as lorazepam)
- Opioid-like prescription pain relievers.
Negative effects of poor nutrition on health
Doing simple things may become more challenging if your body isn't getting enough oxygen and nutrients. The result can be exhaustion on both the physical and psychological levels.
Anemia, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and diabetes are all examples of such conditions.
- When your body doesn't produce enough healthy red blood cells, you develop anemia. It's impossible to get enough oxygen to generate energy in your cells without them. Reduced iron stores are a common contributor to anemia. Learn more about iron deficiency anemia by clicking here.
- The inability to take in sufficient oxygen is also a feature of COPD. Having difficulty breathing is often attributed to a person's age rather than their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a potentially fatal lung condition. Treatments have come a long way, and this is cause for celebration.
- Type 1, an autoimmune disease, is the more common form of diabetes, but type 2 occurs when your cells become resistant to the hormone insulin. Both of these conditions put stress on the body's ability to transport sugar from the blood into the muscles and tissues, which can lead to fatigue and illness.
Read on for a look at five behaviors that have been shown to help put type 2 diabetes into remission.
Stress
Certainly, stress can accumulate over time. Perhaps the hits just keep on coming. Otherwise, you're always pushing yourself too far. In either case, you may find yourself exhausted, as Tal puts it.
It's not a defect in moral fiber. This is not some made-up occurrence. The Mayo Clinic labels this "emotional exhaustion." Disinterest and irritability are just two of the symptoms that may result. As a result, you may experience physical symptoms like drowsiness, headaches, and muscle tension.
When you're tired, you can't get as much done, according to Tal. This can add even more pressure to the situation. Your mission: rearrange your agenda to make room for some personal time. Learn to decline requests more frequently, as Tal puts it. ”
Your diet
Diet may play a role in why you don't feel like doing much.
Maintaining consistent energy levels throughout the day is possible with a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. How These items are great for maintaining steady blood sugar levels. The experience of eating a candy bar or cookie, for example, is well known to everyone. Although you might feel energized in the short term, this effect probably won't last.
Consuming enough iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, all of which contribute to sustained energy, is another benefit of maintaining a well-rounded diet, as recommended by Dr. Winter Always check with your doctor before taking any kind of supplement. Your doctor may order blood tests to measure how much of these nutrients are in your system, he says. They are knowledgeable about the various supplements available and can assist you in selecting the best one.
You can also boost your energy with other healthy practices, such as:
- Getting sufficient (and regular) nutrition.
- Keeping alcohol consumption within the recommended limits of two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
- Keeping hydrated all day
It's normal to get exhausted and worn out occasionally. But if you're constantly struggling to get through the day, it could be because of factors beyond your control.
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December 8, 2022, at 11 a.m. Pictures of John Lennon and his killer, Mark David Chapman, from right before his murder in 1980. Getty Images/innie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Bureau of Prisons In New York City on December 8th, 1980, one of the worst tragedies in rock music history occurred.
At 11 a.m. on December 8, 2022 John Lennon and his killer, Mark David Chapman, in the months before his murder in 1980. Photo by innie Zuffante/Bureau of Prisons/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images New York City experienced one of the worst days in rock 'n' roll history on December 8th, 1980.
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