Reasons Why You May Always Be Tired

Everyone knows what it's like to feel really tired, whether it be from a long day at work, a busy day of activities, or from lack of sleep. These are normal reasons why anyone would want to take a few moments to rest or go to bed early. However, if you've noticed that you're constantly weak and fatigued no matter how much rest you get, it's possible you could be suffering from one of these conditions.

Thyroid problems

Problems with a person's thyroid can come in the forms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). The purpose of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones that control and regulate metabolism in someone's body. Having hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism disrupts proper functioning of these metabolic processes which in turn can cause extreme fatigue. Thyroid problems are more common in women than in men and can start occurring from age 20 and up.

Stress

Persistent stress can take a tole on a person's body. Having a stressful day or a stressful week can happen to anyone. However, when difficult circumstances are drawn out over a long period of time, that amount of stress could lead to more serious problems. Under stressful situations (whether in day-to-day interactions or life-threatening emergencies), the body releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that puts an individual into "fight or flight" mode. Stress is the body's defense system to keep you alert and protected, but after being in this heightened state for too long, physical symptoms like fatigue can begin to develop.

Depression and mental health problems

One of the most common symptoms of depression is chronic fatigue. Like stress, depression effects chemicals and hormones in the body, leading to a constant feeling of lethargy. Individuals suffering from depression can also experience physical aches and pains, weakness, and sleeping problems. Under proper treatment, medication can be prescribed to help relieve symptoms of depression and the tiredness that results from it.

Anemia

Anemia is a common blood condition that is caused by a lack of healthy red blood cells. The purpose of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to the body's organs in order for them to work properly. There are over 400 types of anemia, but causes of the condition can come from blood loss, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency (such as B-12), or other health conditions. Women in particular are at an increased risk of developing anemia. If your doctor suspects you may have anemia, a complete blood count test can be performed which will measure specific parts of the blood.

Sleeping problems

If you're regularly getting eight hours of sleep each night, but still feel tired, one cause could be sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when a person experiences pauses in breathing or shallow breathing while asleep. Because someone with sleep apnea isn't awake while these episodes are going on, the condition may be undetected unless another person is around to notice it. Those with sleep apnea may have grown accustomed to tiredness throughout the day and be unaware that it's a result of poor sleep quality the night before. In addition to sleep apnea, a sleeping problem like insomnia will also have a detrimental effect on the body's amount of energy during the day.

Poor diet and malnutrition

The body needs certain amounts of nutrients and vitamins in order to stay healthy and function properly. Eating a well-balanced diet is something we all know we should be doing, but it's important to take this habit seriously. Consuming too many unhealthy foods, like those with excessive amounts of fat or simple sugars, deprives the body of important nourishment. Without it, weakness and fatigue could set in and make it hard to get through your day. One simple suggestion (in addition to eating healthy foods) is to start taking a daily multivitamin.

Numerous other conditions have weakness and fatigue as common symptoms. If you've noticed that being tired has become an ongoing problem lasting weeks or months, a recommendation would be to see your doctor to talk about possible causes. When a lack of energy starts to interfere with your ability to perform daily tasks, it's definitely time to figure out how to make yourself feel better.