Most of us have suffered from colds, flus, painful conditions, injuries, etc, at some point, which keep us awake at night or disrupt our sleep, which can result in feeling tired the next day, but at least in those cases we know the reason. Some people are suffering from constant tiredness, lack of energy, and fatigue, and they do not know why. If you think you are one of these people, talk to your GP.
There are several causes of tiredness; some are physical and some psychological. Psychological tiredness is much more prevalent than physical — the big one is stress and anxiety which can lead to sleep disturbance, and in turn you feel exhausted all day.
Depression is a very common condition; it can go undiagnosed for a long time. Symptoms can vary — usually people find it difficult to go to sleep, wake early in the morning, feel sad and down, and it can affect you appetite resulting in weight loss or weight gain, inability to cope with daily activities, and feeling exhausted all day. Your doctor can help you turn things around and may refer you to a specialist.
Allergies such as asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, or food intolerance can also be contributing to your tiredness. Usually your GP can diagnose your allergies.
Anaemia is a very common condition and a common cause of tiredness, especially in women with heavy periods, uterine polyps, fibroids, and haemorrhoids. Although more women suffer from this latter condition the incidence in men could be as high as one in 20. Other causes of anaemia can be stomach ulcers, or long term use of anti-inflammatories which can lead to bleeding. Anaemia can also occur if you are suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes, kidney disease, or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Next week we will look at the uncommon causes of tiredness and the help and treatments available.
Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure any medical conditions.
For more information contact Holistic Health & Stress Clinic, Suite 16, Ross House, Merchants Road, Galway, phone 087 1915051.
Dr Bhatti.
