Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

The medical causes of tiredness

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!