Have you been yawning a lot lately? Are you feeling like you could sleep all day? There are many reasons that you might be tired. You might not be getting enough shut-eye since you’re staying up too late, however you might also be tired since you have an undiagnosed medical condition.
What’s Triggering Me To Be So tired?
Some medical conditions can lead to fatigue. If your fatigue continues beyond just a few days or weeks, you should head to your doctor for a checkup.
1. Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency, likewise called anemia, is a condition that can make you feel very run-down and tired. That’s because iron is what produces red blood cells, and without sufficient red blood cells your blood can’t supply your organs with the amount of oxygen they need to function effectively. Other signs of this condition include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and pallor.
Iron deficiency prevails in women who still menstruate and about 1 in 20 men and postmenopausal women.
2. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where your throat might narrow and even close for 10 seconds or more as you sleep. This can make it hard for you to breathe, triggering you to wake often at night as your body responds to the stopped airflow.
Waking typically during the night can make you feel tired throughout the daytime hours. Sleep apnea might likewise cause you to snore and have a drop in your blood oxygen levels. This condition is more typical in obese, middle-aged men.
3. Depression
Tiredness is a typical symptom of depression. Depression can leave you feeling drained of all your energy, and it might even make it tough for you to fall asleep or trigger you to wake up early every day. Other symptoms of this state of mind disorder, which include feelings of hopelessness, stress and anxiety, low libido, and pains and discomforts, can vary from mild to severe.
4. Pregnancy
Fatigue is one of the earliest signs you may experience during pregnancy. In the very first trimester, your body produces a great deal of progesterone, a hormone that can make you tired.
Other early signs of pregnancy include a missed duration, sore breasts, nausea, and increased urination. If you think you may be pregnant, you can visit your doctor or take an over-the-counter pregnancy test for confirmation.
5. Diabetes
Being extremely tired is among the main symptoms of diabetes. You may also feel exceedingly thirsty, utilize the restroom more often, or lose weight. Since diabetes is brought on by excessive sugar in your blood, a blood test may be able to help your doctor with a diagnosis.
6. Underactive Thyroid
A common symptom of hypothyroidism is feeling tired. The symptoms of this condition establish gradually, so you may not discover any immediately. You can also experience weight gain, depression, or muscle pains and discomforts.
A blood test can assist your doctor determine your hormone levels for a proper diagnosis. Underactive thyroid is more common in women and older adults.
7. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Have you been extremely tired for more than 6 months? You may have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Even if you’re getting great rest, you will still feel tired if you have this condition.
Other symptoms you may experience include sore throat, headache, or muscle or joint pain. CFS most frequently impacts individuals in their early 20s to mid-40s. It can likewise impact children between ages 13 and 15.
8. Narcolepsy VS Being Tired
Narcolepsy, a condition that causes people to fall asleep all of a sudden, typically develops in people between the ages of 10 and 25.
Symptoms of narcolepsy include:
- Sudden loss of muscle tone that can lead to slurred speech or general weakness. Also called cataplexy, this symptom might last only a few seconds to numerous minutes. It is normally activated by intense feelings.
- Sleep paralysis, which is an inability to move or speak as you fall asleep or wake up from sleep. These episodes normally just last a couple of seconds or minutes, but they can be very frightening.
- Hallucinating as you wake in between dreams and experiencing your dreams as truth.
9. Sleep Debt
People can not live without sleep. For many people, sleep debt is to blame for sensation chronically tired throughout the day. Sleep debt happens when you don’t get enough sleep for days, weeks, or months on end. It can have negative impacts on your health, like raising cortisol levels or creating insulin resistance.
You can’t “make up” sleep, but making way of life changes can assist greatly with getting your mind and body back on track and sensation rested again. Think of it as repaying your sleep debt. Attempt sleeping in a couple of extra hours on the weekend or going to bed a few hours previously at night.
When to See Your Doctor
Make a visit with your doctor if lifestyle changes and much better sleep habits aren’t helping you. You should also speak to your doctor if your drowsiness is accompanied by the symptoms of the conditions listed above or if you have other concerns about your health.
Your doctor can perform tests depending on what they believe might be triggering your fatigue. It may be handy for you to keep a sleep journal to provide your doctor a complete photo of your nighttime practices. Make sure to include when you fall asleep and wake up, how frequently you wake in the evening, and any other symptoms you feel deserve noting.
Tips For Better Sleep
Follow these suggestions to get a better night’s sleep:
Attempt sticking to a sleep schedule. Follow it during the week and on weekends to keep your rest times consistent.
Create a bedtime routine. Dim the lights and engage in quiet, relaxing activities.
Prevent napping, as it can interfere with nighttime sleep. Naps in the late afternoon may particularly make it hard to fall asleep in the evening.
Exercise each day. Vigorous exercise might assist you sleep best, but even a light workout can help you nod off more easily at night.
Fine-tune your sleep environment. The majority of people sleep best when the space temperature level is between 60 and 67 ˚F (16 and 19 ˚C). If there are diversions in your environment, consider using blackout curtains, earplugs, or a white noise machine.
Check your pillows and mattress. If they aren’t comfortable, it might be tough for you to fall asleep. A mattress should last you around 10 years. While you’re at it, make certain these items are devoid of allergens that might bother you.
