Yahoo News Why am I so tired? 12 common health and lifestyle factors that could be draining your energy
Millions of us feel tired on a daily basis, but if you're constantly feeling fatigued, it could be a sign that something's not quite right.
If your tiredness is impacting your quality of life, it might be time to seek medical advice. There could be underlying health conditions causing your fatigue, and a GP can help rule these out.
Feeling exhausted despite getting plenty of sleep could be down to an illness or a lack of certain vitamins. It could also be due to a poor diet, specific health issues, or a combination of factors.
READ MORE:
'I'm living with an extremely rare blood cancer - but I just want to go home'
One night-time habit that could be early sign of heart failure and stroke
Lifestyle factors that can impact your energy levels:
Not exercising enough - or pushing yourself too much
You're on your phone too much
Your diet isn't energy-rich
You're dehydrated
You're staying up too late
You're having coffee too close to your bed time
Too much exertion during exercise can cause you to feel excessively tired. At the same time, don't exercise enough and you can also feel sluggish as a workout can boost energy levels, according to the National Institute on Aging, reports the Mirror.
If you use your phone before you go to sleep, the brightness from the screen can also interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle and affect how well you sleep. It can disrupt the production of the hormone, melatonin, which helps induce sleep.. The large quantity of blue light from screens can also lead to eye strain.
Another trigger for tiredness can be an excess of processed foods and sugar. These can cause a rapid energy boost followed by a crash. Increasing your water intake can help as a lack of hydration can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, reduced alertness, and poor focus.
Other potential problems include staying up too late, especially on weekends. A regular sleep cycle is better than chopping and changing. And avoiding caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, or soda close to bedtime can result in a more restful night. Having your last one at least four to six hours before you plan to sleep will help.
Health factors that can impact your energy levels.
You may be anaemic
You may have a thyroid problem
You could be suffering from anxiety or depression
Your menstrual cycle could be to blame
You could have sleep apnoea
Possible side effect of certain medicines
Most commonly caused by iron deficiency, anaemia can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, and fatigue. Your body requires red blood cells to transport sufficient oxygen and people with anaemia don't have enough.
Hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid condition, can also lead to fatigue. In contrast, an overactive thyroid condition, known as hyperthyroidism, can accelerate everything and result in insomnia and restlessness.
People with depression are at higher risk of suffering with fatigue - twice as likely in fact. It can also be a consequence of clinical anxiety. Women's health expert, Jennifer Wider M. D., said feeling exhausted regularly was also a frequent indication of PMS. Factors such as hormonal changes, bloating, and disruptions in sleep can all cause excessive tiredness.
However, if you find you get a full eight hours of sleep but still wake up tired, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). It can lead to frequent pauses in breathing throughout the night, putting extra stress on your heart, and you should seek medical advice.
Finally, particular medications and dietary supplements can also cause a lack of energy. Antihistamines, pain relievers, certain antidepressants, beta blockers, and medications used to treat anxiety are all potential causes.
