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Tiredness, often called fatigue, is a common experience characterised by a persistent feeling of exhaustion, lack of energy, and decreased motivation. It can significantly affect your daily life, hindering your ability to work, concentrate, and participate in social activities. While occasional tiredness is normal after physical exertion or lack of sleep, persistent fatigue can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Book an appointment with our expert doctors to get yourself checked
Tiredness symptoms can include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and overall lethargy, often indicating the need for rest and potential lifestyle adjustments. Let’s look at the most common symptoms:
Exhaustion and lack of energy
Muscle weakness or soreness
Difficulty sleeping or waking up unrefreshed
Headaches
Dizziness
Persistent susceptibility to infections
Difficulty concentrating or focusing
Decreased motivation and initiative
Irritability or mood swings
Difficulty remembering things
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
Consult our internal medicine hospital if you are experiencing the above tiredness symptoms.
Here are the major tiredness causes that you must address as soon as possible:
Sleep Deprivation: Not getting enough quality sleep is a major cause of fatigue.
Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to feelings of tiredness.
Poor Diet: A diet lacking in essential nutrients can lead to fatigue.
Stress: Chronic stress can drain your energy reserves.
Dehydration: Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue.
Alcohol and Drug Use: These substances can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to fatigue.
Anaemia: A decrease in red blood cells can lead to fatigue due to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
Thyroid Disorders: Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can cause fatigue.
Chronic Illnesses: Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause fatigue.
Autoimmune Diseases: These conditions can cause fatigue due to inflammation throughout the body.
Infections: Fatigue is a common symptom of various infections like the flu, mononucleosis, and hepatitis.
Depression and Anxiety: These mental health conditions can manifest as fatigue.
Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome can disrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue.
If you experience persistent tiredness that interferes with your daily life, it's crucial to seek medical evaluation. Your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination and ask about your medical history and lifestyle habits. To get to the cause of the fatigue, they may also recommend diagnostic tests such as blood tests, thyroid function tests, sleep studies, or other investigations depending on your specific situation.
The treatment for tiredness depends on the underlying cause. If your fatigue is due to lifestyle factors, your doctor will likely recommend changes like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and staying hydrated.
Here are some additional tiredness treatment options:
Medications: Depending on the cause, medications like iron supplements for anaemia, thyroid hormone replacement therapy for thyroid disorders, or antidepressants for depression may be prescribed.
Sleep Therapy: If a sleep disorder is identified, treatment can address the underlying issue and improve sleep quality.
Stress Management Techniques: Relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation can help manage stress and improve sleep.
Here are some tips to prevent fatigue and maintain good energy levels:
Prioritise 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
Maintain a regular sleep schedule
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
Exercise Regularly
Eat a Healthy Diet
Stay Hydrated
Limit Alcohol and Caffeine
Tiredness is a common problem with many potential causes. By understanding the symptoms and causes of fatigue, you can work with your doctor to identify the underlying issue and find the most effective treatment for feeling tired all the time. Implementing healthy lifestyle habits is essential for preventing tiredness and maintaining good energy levels.
When feeling tired occasionally is a normal part of life, persistent fatigue can be a red flag for an underlying medical condition. Here’s a breakdown of situations where consulting an internal medicine specialist becomes crucial:
Duration - If your tiredness persists for more than two weeks despite making efforts to improve sleep hygiene, diet, and stress management, it is advisable to seek medical help.
Severity - If your fatigue is too severe it significantly interferes with your daily activities, work performance or your ability to concentrate.
Unexplained Weight loss/gain - If you experience unexplained weight loss or gain alongside persistent fatigue, it warrants a doctor's visit.
Accompanying Symptoms - Pay attention to any additional symptoms that might accompany tiredness. These could include night sweats, fever, headache, muscle aches, changes in bowel habits, difficulty breathing, and unusual bleeding.
Sudden Onset - If your fatigue comes suddenly and intensely especially if accompanied by other concerning symptoms, see a doctor.
Pre-existing Conditions - If you have a pre-existing medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid problems and experience a sudden change in fatigue levels, consult your doctor.
Visit Manipal Hospitals for an early diagnosis and intervention as these are the keys to managing any underlying medical condition that might be causing your tiredness. Don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor. A thorough evaluation of your condition would help identify the cause and recommend the most effective treatment plan to help you regain your energy level.
Adults technically require 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. However, some individuals may function well on slightly less or slightly more sleep, depending on their age and overall health.
Yes, experiencing fatigue after exercise is normal, especially if you are starting a new workout routine or pushing yourself harder than usual. However, this fatigue should be temporary and improve with regular exercise. If you experience persistent and excessive fatigue, you might need to consult a medical expert.
Yes, some medications can list fatigue as a side effect. It’s important to check the information leaflet that comes with your medication and talk to your doctor accordingly if you are experiencing significant tiredness after starting a new medication.
Here are some natural ways to increase your energy level:
Prioritise sleep
Stay Hydrated
Eat a balanced Diet
Exercise Regularly
Manage Stress
Limit Cffine and Alchohol
