7 Reasons Why You're Tired All The Time!

It can be easy to blame our busy schedules for why we are exhausted. And we aren’t wrong to blame them. In the U.S., 85.8 % of males and 66.5 % of females work more than 40 hours per week. However, a busy work schedule isn’t the only factor behind our society’s growing levels of fatigue. Sometimes it is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong.

If you have been working on reducing your workload and getting more sleep and you are still tired all the time, it may be time to consult your primary to explore other causes. Below we list the seven medical reasons why you might be tired all the time.

1. Thyroid Problems – If you are having a decrease in energy, having persistently dry skin, and are constipated, you might have a thyroid problem. Every day activities can throw you completely off of your game due to the hormonal changes that are probably occuring in your body due to a wacky thyroid. A simple blood test can detect whether or not your thyroid is acting up.
2. Anemia – The first thing physicians will check for if you are complaining about fatigue is anemia. Anemia-related fatigue is caused by a lack of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to your tissues and cells. Without proper oxygen, we can feel exhausted. The most common cause of anemia is an iron deficiency. Most likely if your physician suspects anemia, they will order a comprehensive blood test and also do a physical examination.
3. Depression – Do you feel tired all the time? Do you have no desire to get out of bed? Are you having issues sleeping? One of the hidden signs of depression is fatigue. Depression can cause decreased energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, problems with memory and concentration, and feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and negativity. A primary physician, when asked about fatigue, will probably do a screening for depression due to fatigue being a symptom.
4. Sleep Apnea – It is difficult to get rest when your sleep is being interrupted. Constantly waking up during the night? Sleep apnea may be the cause. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and occurs when your upper airway actually closes or collapses for a few seconds, which, in turn, alerts your brain to wake you up to begin breathing again. If your physician suspects sleep apnea, they will probably order a sleep study to be done.
5. Autoimmune Issues – One of the most frequent symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases is fatigue, especially in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus. If you present fatigue as well as other symptoms, a rheumatologist will do a thorough physical exam and also order a blood panel to narrow down the problem.
6. Poor Eating Habits – Our eating habits have a lot more to do with our energy levels than we think. Foods loaded with sugar and simple carbs that are commonly found in junk food have a direct correlation with how rapidly our blood sugar can increase. This rapid spike leads to a rapid drop in energy throughout the day, which is why it is imperative to make good dietary choices like adding lean protein and fruits and veggies to maintain blood sugar.
7. Infection – When you have a chronic infection, it can easily influence your fatigue levels. When we are experiencing an infection, our immune system kicks into gear and inflammation occurs. The initial infection followed by chronic inflammation of the immune system could explain the cause of fatigue.

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