I was reading this article written by Dr. Mark Liponis in Parade magazine regarding reasons that might cause fatigue. So if you find yourself tired or yearning for some Zzzs, check out the overview of his suggestions below:
1. Sleep Disorders
Two common medical sleep disorders—obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome— could be responsible for getting in the way of a good night's sleep.
Remedy: Talk about your concerns to your physician. From there, a series of tests will help you discover if you have either of these disruptive, yet treatable, sleep disorders.
2. Thyroid Conditions
The thyroid regulates your mood, metabolism heart rate and energy levels - just to name a few. The thyroid is a tricky gland. You can experience sluggishness or fatigue with either an underactive or even an overactive thyroid.
Remedy: Makes sure your thyroid function has been properly tested. If it's been a while since you've had a full physical, stop reading this, get on the phone and make an appointment!
The thyroid regulates your mood, metabolism heart rate and energy levels - just to name a few. The thyroid is a tricky gland. You can experience sluggishness or fatigue with either an underactive or even an overactive thyroid.
Remedy: Makes sure your thyroid function has been properly tested. If it's been a while since you've had a full physical, stop reading this, get on the phone and make an appointment!
3. Diabetes
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and nearly 25 % of people with diabetes don’t even know they have it! Besides fatigue, it’s common for people with diabetes to experience weight gain, increased appetite, thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and nearly 25 % of people with diabetes don’t even know they have it! Besides fatigue, it’s common for people with diabetes to experience weight gain, increased appetite, thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.
Remedy: The good news is that Type 2 diabetes can be helped and even prevented with proper diet, exercise, and weight loss. Diabetes can be detected with a simple blood test, so if you’re having symptoms or are at increased risk, don’t wait—get a checkup.
4. Depression
Depression, which often has symptoms of tiredness and fatigue, affects more than 20 million Americans and is a major cause of disability. Depression is a real illness, not a result of a flawed character or laziness.
Remedy: Make an appointment to see your physician or contact a mental health professional. Most depressive disorders can be effectively treated with medication, therapy or a combination of the two.
Depression, which often has symptoms of tiredness and fatigue, affects more than 20 million Americans and is a major cause of disability. Depression is a real illness, not a result of a flawed character or laziness.
Remedy: Make an appointment to see your physician or contact a mental health professional. Most depressive disorders can be effectively treated with medication, therapy or a combination of the two.
5. 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.
Remedy: Again, see your physician. A simple blood test will determine if you are anemic or iron deficient. It would be important to discover the reasons for your low iron counts. Treatment usually includes the taking of iron supplements.
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.
Remedy: Again, see your physician. A simple blood test will determine if you are anemic or iron deficient. It would be important to discover the reasons for your low iron counts. Treatment usually includes the taking of iron supplements.
I have restless legs, depression and iron poor blood. And though I sleep pretty well at night, I find myself tired from time to time during the day. With the help of health professionals, I take iron supplements, monitor my clinical depression with medication, moderate my restless legs with a multivitamin trio, and catnap nearly everyday. These interventions definitely help.
So, if your dragging or perpetually pounding the pillow, talk to your health professional.
