There are several health conditions that can make you feel tired or exhausted. These include: iron deficiency anaemia. underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition.
Possible culprit: A vitamin or mineral deficiency
One possible reason for feeling tired, anxious, and weak is having low levels of iron, vitamin D, or B12. Many experts believe that a significant percentage of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D.
Vitamin B12
Folic acid is not only required in the production of energy, but also in its release and regulation, which is super important for maintaining healthy levels of energy and reducing fatigue! B12 deficiencies can cause fatigue, weariness, weakness and other more severe side effects over time.
Magnesium is important for healthy ageing as it can help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells and DNA. It is also essential for the functioning of the nervous system. When your body does not receive enough vitamin B12 you may feel fatigued and tired all the time. It can also lead to weakness.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complicated disorder. It causes extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months. Symptoms worsen with physical or mental activity but don't fully improve with rest.
Reasons for fatigue in females include high sleep debt, being out of sync with your circadian rhythm, your menstrual cycle and period, pregnancy, menopause, hormonal contraceptives, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress and anxiety, medication side effects, and medical conditions like thyroid issues or anemia.
While there is currently no cure for ME/CFS, there are treatments that may help you manage the condition. Treatments include: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) energy management – where you're given advice about how to make best use of the energy you have without making your symptoms worse.
There are three types of fatigue: transient, cumulative, and circadian: Transient fatigue is acute fatigue brought on by extreme sleep restriction or extended hours awake within 1 or 2 days.
There's no simple blood test or X-ray to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome – also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Oestrogen and menopause
As you age and approach menopause, your oestrogen levels naturally decrease. So it's common to experience tiredness and fatigue at this time. Mood swings, headaches, and finding it hard to concentrate are also common menopausal symptoms.
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of a hormone imbalance. Excess progesterone can make you sleepy. And if your thyroid -- the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck -- makes too little thyroid hormone, it can sap your energy. A simple blood test called a thyroid panel can tell you if your levels are too low.
Often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin is directly responsible for promoting healthy rest and regulating your body's circadian rhythm. Most of your body's hormones are produced in your brain's pituitary gland— melatonin is produced in the pineal gland, which is associated with your sleep-wake cycle.
If your kidneys are not working well, toxins (waste products) build up in your blood and this can make you feel tired and weak.
But if you're always feeling tired, it can be more than just not getting enough sleep. Feeling tired can stem from more serious issues like sleep apnea, depression, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Family medicine specialist Jared Ankerman, MD, discusses the different reasons you might be feeling so tired.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can indeed lead to weight gain. But the weight gain is not a direct result of the deficiency. Instead, vitamin B12 deficiency causes lethargy or lack of energy, and in turn, inactivity causes weight gain. When you lack the energy to move, you don't burn fat.
Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. Shifting hormone levels and night sweats may disrupt your sleep. This can cause fatigue, which may make mood swings worse.
A blood test is one of the most common ways to test hormone levels. This test can detect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid levels. You should order a test that's specific to your gender, as a women's hormone test will look for different levels of sex hormones than a men's test.
Hormonal imbalances may be to blame for a range of unwanted symptoms from fatigue or weight gain to itchy skin or low mood. Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system and released into the bloodstream. An imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone.
Research is showing that probiotic benefits may include relief from chronic fatigue symptoms. By taking advantage of probiotic benefits, you can help heal your leaky gut AND your chronic fatigue symptoms. There's nothing like suffering from debilitating chronic fatigue symptoms and digestive issues.
Prescription medications such as Adderall (Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine) and Ritalin (Methylphenidate) are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition causing chronic inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors.