10 Reasons You May be Feeling Fatigued

10 Reasons You May be Feeling Fatigued

We require many things to live: food, water, oxygen. But all of these components are  needed for the same goal - energy. We need energy for everything that we do, from the smallest thought to the biggest action. And when we are low on that energy, we get fatigued, tired and sluggish - an uncomfortable feeling that prevents us from living our lives to the fullest. So if you are feeling more tired than usual lately, take a look at our 10 leading reasons, one of them may be yours.

#1 Reason: You're not getting enough sleep. Yes this seems obvious, but the better question is - why?  Adults need 7-8 hours of sleep a night, but a modern affliction is the addiction to watching television not only just before bed, but falling asleep in front of it too. These days, we take our tablets or phones with us into the bed. Research has shown, beyond reasonable doubt, that usage of electronics before or while asleep will damage the quality of your sleep and in fact you will be sleeping less.   #2 Reason: Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when you think you're sleeping fine, but in fact, you stop breathing many times during the night, just for a few seconds. However, those few seconds are enough to wake you up for a little bit before falling asleep again. You won't remember anything, but you'll be awake many times during the night, and again will not get enough sleep, even if you don't remember waking up.  Solution: If you are over-weight try losing weight, quit smoking and if that doesn't help  - sleep with a CPAP machine that will keep your airways open during the night. #3 Reason: Not enough of the right fuel. Eating too little can cause us to feel fatigued, but so does eating the wrong foods. A balanced diet will keep your blood sugar levels balanced and prevent you from feeling sluggish and dormant when that level drops. Solution: Always eat a breakfast and include proteing and complex carbs in each meal (example: eggs with whole grain toast).  #4 Reason: You may have anemia. Anemia is one of the leading causes of women feeling fatigued. Menstrual blood loss can cause a sharp decrease in iron, which can put women in risk of anemia, lacking iron. Solution: Iron supplements and iron-rich foods are the best way to fix this problem. Iron rich food includes lean meat, shellfish, beans, enriched cereal etc. #5 Reason: Are you depressed? Depression is not only an emotional condition, it is very much a physical one as well and can make you feel immensly tired, accompanied by headaches, loss of appetite and a 'disconnected' feeling. If this situation persists for more than a few weeks, go consult a doctor. Solution: Depression requires specific medication prescribed to you by a health specialist. To each person a different type of medication may work best. But don't ignore the problem, otherwise it will not go away. #6 Reason: Hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a little gland at the base of the neck that controls your metabolism, if there is a problem with the gland and it is not operating as well as it should, then you convert fuel to energy too slowly, and so will feel tired and sluggish. Solution: Get a blood test to see if this is the problem. If it is, there are synthetic hormones that can fix the problem.   #7 Reason: Diabetes. People with diabetes have high levels of sugar remaining in their blood stream instead of entering their cells. As a result, they are not converted into energy, and so the body 'runs out of juice' despite eating enough. Other symptoms may include frequent urination and loss of weight. If you think this may be the case, ask a doctor to test you for diabetes. Solution: Diabetes is a common disease nowdays and can be managed with simple lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. You may also need insulin treatments and medications to help your body process sugar.    #8 Reason: Hidden urinary Tract Infection. You may be thinking that if you had a urinary tract infection you'd know about it by the burning sensation. Alas, not all UTIs announce themselves and some are not noticeable, but will still make you feel tired. A quick urine test can confirm this. Solution: Antibiotics will cute the UTI, and once that is done the fatigue should lift within a week. #9 Reason: Heart Disease. If you start getting tired while performing daily activities such as cleaning the house or tending the garden, it could be that your heart is not working as well as it used to, causing you to be tired. If you feel this is the case, consult your doctor immediately. Solution: Heart conditions require some lifestyle changes, medication and theraputic procedures. If you adhere to these your heart disease will become manageable and your energy will return. #10 Reason:   Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia. If you keep feeling really fatigued for more than 6 months and it is so bad that you cannot get on with your daily life, you may be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. Both have similar symptoms that include feeling fatigued. Solution: Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for either of these conditions. Patients usually benefit from making life changes in their daily routines, changing to better sleeping habits and doing some mild exercising.