No, feeling tired all day, every day, is not normal and often signals an underlying issue, ranging from lifestyle factors (poor sleep, diet, stress) to medical conditions (anemia, thyroid problems, depression, diabetes, sleep apnea). While occasional tiredness is common, persistent fatigue that disrupts your life warrants a doctor's visit to rule out serious causes and find solutions, according to health experts at the Better Health Channel, North Kansas City Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, and Healthline.
Many cases of tiredness are due to stress, not enough sleep, poor diet and other lifestyle factors. Try these self-help tips to restore your energy levels. If you feel you're suffering from fatigue, which is an overwhelming tiredness that isn't relieved by rest and sleep, you may have an underlying medical condition.
See a GP if:
you've been feeling tired for a few weeks and you're not sure why. your tiredness affects your daily life.
Red Flags That Fatigue Might Be Something More
You've had persistent low energy for more than two weeks. Your mood, memory, or motivation has changed noticeably. You feel dizzy, weak, or lightheaded regularly. You're noticing unexplained aches, or frequent headaches.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
Symptoms of ME/CFS include major fatigue, worsening of symptoms with increases in activity (called post-exertional malaise), lightheadedness, poor short-term memory and concentration, and feeling unrested no matter how much sleep one has had.
Deficiencies. Anemia and other vitamin deficiencies (such as vitamin D or vitamin B12) are often responsible for fatigue. Dehydration can cause fatigue because the body needs plenty of fluids to function.
The four Ps are problem solving, planning, prioritising and pacing. The aim is to think of the four Ps at the beginning of each day or week to help you manage your energy levels.
Not feeling rested after sleeping could be due to disruptions in your sleep stages, especially if you need to reach or spend more time in the deep sleep phase, which is crucial for feeling refreshed. It could also be related to sleep disorders, stress, or other sleep quality factors.
10 hours before bed: No more caffeine. 3 hours before bed: No more food or alcohol. 2 hours before bed: No more work. 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs and computers).
There are 5 main symptoms of narcolepsy, referred to by the acronym CHESS (Cataplexy, Hallucinations, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Sleep paralysis, Sleep disruption). While all patients with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, they may not experience all 5 symptoms.
Deficiency of vitamin D might be associated with diseases of immune dysregulation, one manifestation of which could be excessive daytime sleepiness (Zitterman and Gummert 2010; Hoeck and Pall 2011).
Lifestyle suggestions for fighting fatigue
Increase physical activity – physical activity boosts energy levels, while a sedentary lifestyle is a known cause of fatigue. Physical activity has many good effects on the body and mind. A good bout of exercise also helps you sleep better at night.
Warning signs of tiredness
Issues with specific organs could lead to severe fatigue. The thyroid, liver and brain are possible contributors, but heart and lung conditions are the most common cause. If this condition becomes serious, your doctor may recommend cardiac care or cardiopulmonary.
Vitamin B12 is the best vitamin supplement for treating tiredness and fatigue. This essential nutrient helps your body produce energy and keeps you feeling less fatigued both physically and mentally.
Evaluation of ME/CFS
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious and often long-lasting illness that keeps people from doing their usual activities. It makes physical and mental exertion difficult. Symptoms include trouble thinking, severe tiredness and other symptoms.
Complex carbohydrates
But pushing through when your body is telling you to rest can actually do more harm than good. “If you regularly ignore signs of physical fatigue and train without proper recovery, you could put yourself at risk of overtraining,” Whitehorn says. Overtraining syndrome is a real concern.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Anaemia is where you have fewer red blood cells than normal or you have an abnormally low amount of a substance called haemoglobin in each red blood cell. General symptoms of anaemia may include: extreme tiredness (fatigue) lack of energy (lethargy)
Possible symptoms include:
Cortisol is naturally higher in the morning, but after poor sleep, it's even higher. This can give you the tired-but-wired sensation that crashes as the day progresses.
EDS is more than just feeling a little tired after a long night. People with narcolepsy may feel sudden, overwhelming sleepiness that happens several times a day. This is often regardless of how much sleep from the night before. Between episodes, people with narcolepsy may have normal attention and wakefulness.
Many conditions can make you tired during the day regardless of how well you slept at night. Examples are very low blood pressure (especially after eating), low thyroid activity, vitamin D or B12 deficiency, anemia, low blood sugar, depression, narcolepsy (sudden episodes of deep sleep), and even obesity.