Feeling tired? Shall we talk about this constant fatigue?

It's normal for all of us to feel tired and exhausted from time to time. It's very normal to feel tired in the evening after working or playing hard all day. But the extreme fatigue we're talking about today, or the medical term `Fatigue`, is completely different. This is the kind of fatigue that makes you feel like you can't even get out of bed in the morning, you don't feel like going to work, and you feel like you're exhausted all day.

What is Fatigue? Is it different from normal tiredness?

Simply put, normal fatigue is something that goes away with a good night's sleep and some rest. But in a state called `Fatigue`, you constantly feel sleepy and lifeless. Also, no matter how much sleep or rest you get, that fatigue doesn't go away. That's the main difference.

This extreme fatigue can be accompanied by several other symptoms. Think about whether these are familiar to you.

Why do we feel so tired?

There can be many reasons for this. Sometimes it can be temporary. That is, it can be fixed with a few changes in our lifestyle. But sometimes, it can be a chronic condition that lasts for more than 6 months. In that case, we need to look for an underlying medical condition.

Let's look at a few main categories of reasons.

1. Our lifestyle habits

Some habits in our daily lives can directly affect this excessive fatigue.

• Unhealthy diet: It's not uncommon to feel tired when your body isn't getting the proper nutrition it needs.
• Alcohol and drug use: These disrupt the body's normal functioning and cause fatigue.
• Stress and Burnout: When you work under constant pressure, both your mind and body become tired.
• Lack of exercise: When the body is not active, energy levels decrease and fatigue increases.

2. Sleep Disorders

Good sleep is essential for a healthy life. If there are any sleep-related illnesses, it is a major cause of `Fatigue`.

• Insomnia: If you don't sleep well at night, it's common to feel tired the next day.
• Sleep Apnea: This condition, in which breathing stops during sleep, deprives the brain and body of the oxygen it needs. This can make you feel tired no matter how much sleep you get.
• Other sleep disorders: Conditions like `Narcolepsy` (sudden falling asleep).

3. Some medications and treatments

This fatigue can also occur as a side effect of some medications you take for a medical condition.

• Some medications given for mental illnesses: Benzodiazepines, Antipsychotics.
• Some medications for high blood pressure include: `(Beta-blockers)`.
• Allergy medications (Antihistamines)
• Cancer treatments: You may feel extremely tired after treatments like chemotherapy.

4. Underlying Medical Conditions

Most of the time, persistent fatigue is caused by some underlying medical condition. This is what we need to be most concerned about.

How can the doctor help you?

If you continue to feel this tired, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. The doctor will ask you about your lifestyle, the medications you take, and how you've been feeling since the symptoms started. Then, they'll do a physical exam.

Often, blood tests are needed to find the cause.They may ask you to do things like. For example, a complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, vitamin levels, and tests to check for diabetes. These tests can help you find the exact underlying cause.

Once the cause is found, the doctor will help you treat it.

What can you do at home to reduce this fatigue?

Unless you have a serious underlying medical condition, making small changes to your lifestyle can greatly reduce this fatigue.

• Get a good night's sleep: Try to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every day . Avoid drinking coffee, tea, and using your phone before bed. Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time.
• Stay away from alcohol and drugs: These will drain your energy.
• Eat a balanced diet: Eat a good diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Manage stress: Relax your mind through things like yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
• Exercise regularly: Instead of sitting around because you're tired, start doing something like walking or running. It may be difficult at first, but after a while you'll feel the benefits. But don't overdo it. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is right for you.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Both weight gain and weight loss can cause fatigue. Ask your doctor about a healthy weight for your height.

When should I definitely see a doctor about this?

There's nothing to be afraid of when you feel tired occasionally. But there are some situations where you should definitely seek medical advice.

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