Five Reasons You May Be Tired
If you’re like many people, you consider a state of fatigue normal. Often, a lack of energy can be corrected with changes in diet and exercise. But a real medical reason also could be causing that missing zip. Consider whether the following conditions sound familiar.
Sleep Disorders. Two common medical sleep disorders–obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome — might be interfering with a good night’s rest. Sleep apnea is a breathing abnormality caused by intermittent obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. One symptom is snoring, though not all people who snore have apnea. Another clue that you suffer from sleep apnea is “scalloping” at the edges of the tounge. This is caused by the impression of the teeth and indicates a crowded airway or a tounge that’s relatively large for the size of the mouth. Kids who have sleep apnea sometimes are misdiagnosed with attention-deficit disorder, because poor sleep makes it difficult for them to focus during the day.
Restless legs syndrome is aptly named. Periodic jerking motions and discomfort in the legs cause frequent awakening, which interferes with sleep. Often hereditary, the condition also can be caused by pregnancy or iron deficiency.
Thyroid Conditions. They thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck alongside the Adam’s apple. Few glands affect as many bodily processes as your thyroid – including metabolism, growth, heart rate, body temperature, energy levels, mood, cholesterol levels, and growth of hair, skin and nails. Unfortunately, much can go wrong. Thyroid disorders are among the most common glandular disorders. Women are most affected than men. Both an underactive and overactive thyroid can cause fatigue. An underactive thyroid is more common and in most cases is caused by Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid. Fatigue, sluggishness, malaise, and feeling cold are common symptoms.
Diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, generally diagnosed in children and young adults, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. In the much more common type 2 diabetes, the pancreas continues to produce insulin, but the body loses its responsiveness to the hormone, a condition called “insulin resistance.” Fatigue is a key symptom in both forms of the disease. Symptoms can develop insidiously over time. Besides fatigue, it’s common for people with diabetes to experience weight gain, increased appetite, thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.
Depression. This often is masked by fatigue and is a major cause of disability. Depression isn’t “all in your head.” It affects your body and general health too. If you feel you may be depressed, it’s important to get help.
Anemia. This common medical condition occurs when there is a reduced number of red blood cells- the cells that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the rest of your body. Because less oxygen is delivered to the muscles and tissues, you feel tired. You also may experience shortness of breath or a faster pulse.
There are different kinds of anemia, but it’s most often caused by low levels of iron, sometimes the result of bleeding. In women, heavy menstrual cycles can cause iron deficiency. Other causes include slow internal bleeding from an ulcer, a colon polyp, or even early colon cancer.
If any of these symptoms occur to you, seek help immediately.
