Battling to climb out of bed and face yet another day? Are you feeling exhausted despite a good night’s sleep? We all get tired at times, but if it continues, it can be a warning sign that you need a good check-up!
What could be causing constant tiredness?
Diabetes – get your blood sugar tested if you have blurry vision, feel thirsty all the time, urinate often and have unusual infections.
Thyroid conditions
- an underactive thyroid: can cause weight gain, hair loss, feeling cold and muscle weakness.
- an overactive thyroid: can cause weight loss, a tremor, sweating, heart palpitations and eyes that seem to ‘pop out’.
Anaemia – if you’re feeling tired and you are a vegetarian, have heavy periods, have vomited blood or have blood in your stool you should see your doctor.
Side effects of medications
- anti-histamines
- cough and cold medications
- cortisone, certain pain medications
- certain anti-depressants
- certain blood pressure and heart medications
- alcohol and drugs of abuse
Depression – affects sleep patterns, motivation, ability to focus and concentrate
Sleep disturbances – sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome
Infections – glandular fever, TB, HIV, flu, tropical illnesses, malaria, hepatitis
Heart disease – heart failure, heart rhythm disturbances: if you’re short of breath on minimal exercise or at rest, have heart palpitations, chest pain or swollen ankles you should see your doctor.
Auto-immune conditions – such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis
Cancer, as well as treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Coeliac’s disease
Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease.
We all have busy lives – we tend to pack more and more onto our already over-loaded schedules and feel exhausted at times. However, this feeling should pass after some relaxing, and a few early nights! If you are still feeling tired all the time after 2-3 weeks of resting inbetween, it’s time to make an appointment to see your doctor!