Feeling tired is a common problem in the World, with many people dozing off while watching TV or relaxing. However, persistent fatigue might suggest an underlying health condition and should prompt a visit to the doctor. The NHS advises that while occasional tiredness is normal, constant exhaustion without an obvious cause should be evaluated by a GP.
The NHS highlights that ongoing and unexplained fatigue could indicate a medical condition. While your symptoms might hint at a possible cause, it’s crucial not to self-diagnose and to seek advice from a GP if you have any concerns.
Tiredness and fatigue can result from various causes, including inadequate sleep or insomnia, an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, emotional difficulties, hormonal changes during life stages like puberty or menopause, illnesses such as glandular fever and COVID-19, and side effects from medical treatments or medications like chemotherapy.
Sleep apnea, a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep due to narrowed airways, can cause serious health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. It is often linked to obesity, aging, family history, smoking, alcohol use, large tonsils, and sleeping on one’s back. Symptoms include irregular breathing, snoring, and daytime fatigue. Treatment may involve lifestyle modifications or using a CPAP machine, which is available through the NHS.
Iron deficiency anemia, characterized by fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and pale skin, often arises from blood loss or pregnancy. It is treatable with iron supplements and dietary changes. Diabetes, which manifests as extreme tiredness, thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss, occurs due to insufficient insulin production or response. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, while Type 2, which is more common, can be prevented through lifestyle choices. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include obesity, poor diet, family history, certain ethnic backgrounds, prolonged steroid use, high blood pressure, and a history of gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly, often resulting in weight loss before treatment, while Type 2 diabetes may go undetected for years due to subtle or absent initial symptoms. Symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, genital itching, and blurred vision. Hyperthyroidism, which causes constant tiredness, restlessness, nervousness, irritability, and muscle weakness, occurs when the thyroid gland overproduces hormones. It is more common in women and usually manifests between the ages of 20 and 40.
Hyperthyroidism symptoms include nervousness, mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, sensitivity to heat, neck swelling (goitre), palpitations, twitching, and weight loss. Thyroid function is evaluated through a blood test and treated with medication, radiotherapy, or surgery. ME/CFS is marked by severe fatigue lasting more than three months, sleep problems, cognitive difficulties, and worsening symptoms after exertion. It can also cause body pain and flu-like symptoms. A GP consultation is necessary for diagnosis due to symptom overlap with other conditions. While there’s no cure for ME/CFS, there are strategies available to manage the symptoms.