What makes you feel tired all the time? Why am I so exhausted? It’s not just your normal tiredness, what you think casually after a long day’s work; it is more than that and can be a symptom of other health issues. Generally, being tired is normal for all, but anytime you feel exhausted and a big question in your mind that why am I so tired all the time? Even when you have just completed your sleep, this time you feel the same tiredness and unwillingness to do anything.
Let’s unveil the proper causes and symptoms of fatigue, which is known as the condition of constant tiredness.
What is fatigue?
Fatigue is an overwhelming and extreme condition when you are feeling so tired or weak. Generally, if you feel sudden tiredness or weakness, it is quite common due to daily life activities. But continuously feeling the same may not be just common; it could be fatigue, which is a symptom of many silent diseases. It slows down your daily life, you feel like sitting for a long time without any activities, or feel unwilling to do anything or move anywhere. People with fatigue may have undergone sudden depression or anxiety because of inactivity or extreme tiredness all the time.
Why am I always tired? You feel the same question in your mind, but it is not so easy to ignore, as it could be a serious health concern. Today, millions are affected by unpredictable fatigue, and it remains long-term with several consequences.
Common Causes of Fatigue:
If you are feeling tired all the time, this condition is known as fatigue, and it has many potential causes that particularly makes you towards chronic fatigue that lasts for a long time. Do you know what causes fatigue?
Mental health disorder & fatigue: There is a deep link between mental health disorders like depression, stress with fatigue. If any individual is depressed or stressed, fatigue could be the primary symptom.
Lifestyle disorders: Unhealthy or irregular diet to lack of sleep, inactive lifestyle, and less interest in daily exercise can lead to fatigue.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, like excessive body weight, inability to walk, or any chronic disease like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other complications, can contribute to fatigue. Other autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, may also have the symptoms of fatigue.
Thyroid condition: When the thyroid produces too many hormones (hyperthyroidism), it can lead to low energy and feeling fatigued. On the other hand, when the thyroid makes too few hormones (hypothyroidism), it may also cause constant tiredness, feeling weak and tired, and overall exhaustion.
Cardiovascular disease: Fatigue is more frequent in heart patients because of improper blood circulation that causes a reduction in the oxygen level in the blood, and a deficiency in nutritional circulation in the body tissues.
Pregnancy: Studies show that almost 60% of new moms experience fatigue symptoms in the first trimester, and it’s completely normal. In fact, for some women, feeling tired all the time is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. This happens mainly because the hormone progesterone circulates at a high concentration in the blood, leading to fatigue.
It’s not so easy sometimes to point out the exact reasons behind your fatigue. It may be due to some medication side effects or long-term office work.
Lifestyle factors that cause fatigue all the time:
Such lifestyle habits and factors may be associated with constant tiredness or fatigue. If you are feeling fatigue or tiredness without any medical conditions or diseases, you need to follow your daily lifestyle, which can be the main reason for it.
- If you are mentally or physically stressed due to anxiety or depression.
- Poor sleep or incomplete sleep for a long time can cause extreme fatigue or weakness.
- A long working hour makes you more tired or lead you towards chronic fatigue, and also affect your mental health as well as your overall well-being.
- Imbalanced nutrition or improper diet also causes digestive disorders and a lack of energy, which stimulates fatigue. Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies also affect your fatigue.
- In recent days, social media stimulation has also contributed to severe fatigue and affects normal well-being.
Symptoms of Fatigue:
Though fatigue itself is a symptom, sometimes getting into a fatigue condition may have some common symptoms, like,
- Feeling weak all the time
- Feeling exhausted
- Lack of body energy
- Unwillingness to move anywhere
- Unnecessary weight gain
- Lack of concentration
Fatigue-related health conditions:
Fatigue is normally described as a condition of prolonged exhaustion with many causes, whether it’s internal or external, accompanied by an inability to do any work or any activity.
Fatigue during pregnancy:
Feeling fatigued all the time can be a common condition during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, physical changes, weight gain, decreased iron levels, increased heartbeats, sleeping difficulties, and many other factors.
Fatigue & cardiovascular diseases:
Any individual who has any cardiovascular disease may be at a higher risk of extreme fatigue. Diseases like.
- Heart disease
- Heart blockage
- Congestive heart failure
Lung problems associated with Fatigue:
Lung diseases like COPD and Emphysema can contribute to feeling weak and tired, which later develops into chronic fatigue.
Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases like,
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Diabetes (Type 1)
- Lupus
People with these diseases may experience constant tiredness, and it requires proper treatment.
Other health conditions with fatigue:
Apart from these, several diseases or health conditions are related to fatigue,
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Vitamin deficiencies (Vit. D, B12)
- Iron deficiencies
- Anemia
- Obesity/weight gain
How to stop feeling tired or manage fatigue all the time:
Managing fatigue involves some preventive strategies to boost your low energy levels and improve overall well-being:
- Prioritise Sleep: You need 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Create a relaxing bedtime routine for improving sleep quality.
- Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can cause tiredness, so drink sufficient water, at least 8 to 10 glasses, throughout the day.
- Balanced Diet: Eat nutrient-rich foods for maintaining your body’s energy, focusing on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity, like walking or stretching, can help reduce fatigue and improve energy levels.
- Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to reduce mental exhaustion or extreme tiredness.
- Take Breaks: Short breaks during work or daily tasks can help refresh your mind and prevent burnout.
- Limit Caffeine and Sugar: While they offer a temporary boost, too much can lead to crashes and disrupt your energy cycle.
What treatments can be done to get relief from stress-related fatigue?
Stress-related fatigue is very common if anyone is experiencing anxiety, depression, or is stressed for a long period.
Tips to manage stress-related fatigue:
- First, identify the reason that makes you stressed.
- Take control over the factors which signify reducing your stress.
- Try mindfulness, relaxation, yoga, and physical exercises to lower your stress.
- Get sufficient sleep, or enough sleep for refreshing your mind.
When to call for a doctor:
Extreme tiredness makes you more inactive and helps in developing chronic fatigue. Generally, feeling tired after a hectic or workaholic day is normal, but when you notice that you are feeling fatigued all the time, after taking rest, you are not getting out of fatigue – it requires medical intervention.
Ignoring persistent fatigue can delay the diagnosis and treatment of serious health conditions. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, book a medical consultation without delay.
A note from Nirnayan:
Fatigue can be a normal response due to stress or a sleeping disorder, but if you feel constant tiredness or feel weak and tired for a long time, it could be a sign of something more serious. It’s important not to ignore persistent tiredness. If you’ve been feeling drained for an extended period, seeking advice from your healthcare provider is crucial. They can help uncover the root cause of your fatigue and guide you towards the right treatment or management plan for a healthier, more energetic life.
