We all feel tired and exhausted at times, especially after a lot of physical or mental labor. Some people, however, are prone to chronic fatigue, which persists for months on end with no apparent underlying cause.
Constant, unexplained fatigue is often a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you’ve been feeling listless lately and can’t understand why, seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out a serious health issue.
Here are eight possible reasons why you’re experiencing excessive fatigue and weariness despite a generally healthy lifestyle.
You are iron deficient
Deficiency of iron in the body, or anemia, is one of the most common causes of feeling constantly tired, fatigued and low on energy. Because of menstruation, young girls and women are particularly prone to iron deficiency anemia. Other problems that can make one anemic include taking a low-iron diet, having stomach ulcers, or taking certain medications in excess. It can also be caused by a B12 deficiency.
A simple blood test can reveal the iron levels in your body and help you take corrective measures to treat iron-deficiency anemia, which includes taking a supplement and switching to an iron-rich diet. When you choose a supplement that helps you gain daily iron requirements and other vitamins and minerals, be sure to seek advice from healthcare professionals. Read Gundry MD reviews to understand the importance of seeking professional advice from a well-experienced doctor. A professional and well-experienced doctor will prescribe you with most suitable supplements that help you to get rid of fatigue.
You have an underactive thyroid
If your thyroid gland is not producing the hormones T3 and T4 in sufficient quantities, you may be having hypothyroidism, a condition that upsets the body’s hormonal levels and is characterized by symptoms such as weight gain, dry skin, hoarse voice, hair fall, poor memory, muscle pain and fatigue.
In fact, persistent fatigue is one of the main symptoms of hypothyroidism, which is detected through blood work to test levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) in the bloodstream. Thyroid-related conditions can be safely treated with allopathic medication, and you can also try natural therapies on the side.
You have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
CFS is diagnosed when fatigue lasts for over six months, with no obvious cause. It is still not known what causes chronic fatigue syndrome in some people, although it affects millions of people in the United States alone. There is some evidence that it occurs as an aftermath of an infectious disease.
However, feeling fatigued and getting tired after minor exertion are not the only symptoms of CFS. These are usually accompanied by cognitive impairment such as memory-related problems, poor concentration and mental cloudiness.
If you recently recovered from an illness and have been experiencing fatigue along with cognitive difficulties, consult your physician to rule out CFS.
You have intestinal worms
Intestinal parasites can go undetected for a long time, particularly if you’re attributing your digestive woes to something else. Common symptoms of an intestinal worm infection include abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea and unexplained fatigue.
Intestinal worms are generally diagnosed via a stool test. If you have a parasite infection, there are several ways to remove intestinal parasites from your body, such as conventional medication, herbal parasite cleansing and anti-parasite diet. Remember that it is important to properly treat a parasite infestation or it can escalate into a major problem such as intestinal blockage or nutritional deficiencies.
Your blood sugar levels are not optimal
Too low or too high blood sugar levels can wreak havoc on your general wellbeing. People with diabetes, in particular, are known to suffer from exhaustion or tiredness caused by an imbalance in their blood sugar levels. Even if you’re not diabetic, get your blood sugar levels checked to rule out glucose imbalance.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, you may be experiencing a condition called diabetes fatigue, which can be triggered by both high and low blood sugar levels. Keeping your blood glucose levels in check is important to treat constant fatigue and tiredness.
You’re not getting enough rest
This is an obvious yet often ignored cause of persistent weariness and tiredness during the day. People who do not get enough sleep or don’t sleep well will often complain of getting exhausted too quickly and feeling sleepy during the day.
If your body is not getting ample rest to re energize and repair itself at night, it can start affecting your general wellbeing sooner than you thought. Also note that poor lifestyle habits are a precursor to chronic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders and heart disease. Also check your pillow and other bedding for a comfortable sleep.Read this Sigmund Home Ergo Foam Tencel Pillow Review to find out what a quality pillow can do.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritious meals and getting enough shuteye are all essential if you want to boost your energy levels and don’t want to feel weary for no reason.
You’re exercising too much
Over-exercising is a common cause of adrenal fatigue. According to experts, feeling mentally and physically fatigued after a workout or heavy weightlifting is a clear sign that you’re overdoing it.
While it’s normal to feel tired after a strenuous workout, if you feel completely burned out after a session of resistance training such as heavy weightlifting, chances are you’re not taking adequate rest and proper diet between sessions.
In addition, it is very important to use the right powerlifting belt that provides proper support to your spine and doesn’t make you unnecessarily overwork to lift the weights. By using the right gear and techniques, you’ll be able to lift heavier and won’t feel exhausted as well.
You have vitamin D deficiency
While most people know that vitamin D is essential for bone health, not many are aware that its deficiency can cause chronic fatigue, which is why people who are generally healthy cannot relate their constant tiredness to this common problem. Other symptoms of low vitamin D include frequent sickness, joint pain, muscle pain, hair loss, poor wound healing and depression.
If you’re struggling with listlessness and low energy, a simple blood test can rule out nutrient deficiencies. Low levels of vitamin D can be easily treated with supplementation, spending more time in the sun (while wearing sunscreen) and eating foods rich in this essential micronutrient.
Aside from the above, other conditions that can cause chronic fatigue include heart disease, liver disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, emphysema, sleep apnea, multiple sclerosis, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic inflammation.
