Having a very busy lifestyle can leave you feeling exhausted from time to time. Taking a break from the daily grind, getting good quality sleep nightly, drinking plenty of fluids, opting for a well-balanced diet, popping a multivitamin in your mouth, and cutting back on your coffee and alcohol consumption can help you bounce back in no time.
Do you still feel drained after doing all the things mentioned above? There could be another problem other than just having an unbelievably busy day-to-day life. It is a good idea to be checked by a doctor if it seems like your exhaustion refuses to go away because an undiagnosed medical condition may be the reason behind it.
The following are some of the most common underlying problems that could be causing your unrelenting tiredness:
Celiac Disease
This kind of food intolerance is characterized by the hypersensitivity of the small intestines to gluten, a kind of protein found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. One of the symptoms of celiac disease is tiredness. Other problems you may have if you are suffering from this condition are weight loss, diarrhea and anemia.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
A diet that lacks in iron may lead to anemia, a condition wherein there’s insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin present in the blood. Red blood cells are components that allow the blood to transport oxygen. Because of iron-deficiency anemia, your muscles get fatigued easily as they are not getting enough oxygen.
Depression
Other than making you feel down in the dumps, depression is a problem that can make you tired all the time. Depression may also cause sleep deprivation, something that can leave you feeling exhausted even more the following day. Weight changes, loss of interest in things and irritability are other issues brought about by depression.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, ME leaves you with a debilitating kind of tiredness. To be considered as a sufferer of this condition, the exhaustion you feel should have been around for at least 6 months. Other symptoms of ME include joint pain, muscle aches, headaches and sore throat.
Sleep Apnea
During sleep, someone with this condition experiences a drop in the level of oxygen in the blood due to the narrowing of the throat, something which also causes snoring. If you have sleep apnea, you may be waking up several times each night without you knowing it. This results in exhaustion the following day.
Hypothyroidism
In layman’s terms, hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland. Because your body is not getting enough thyroxine, the hormone secreted by the thyroid that regulates the metabolism, you tend to feel exhausted all the time. You may also suffer from unwanted weight gain and aching muscles if you have an underactive thyroid.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA is an autoimmune disease wherein your own immune system attacks the joints rather than bacteria and other invaders. There are times when this condition leaves irreversible damage to the affected bones and cartilages. Aside from painful and swollen joints, fatigue is another common symptom of this disease.
Diabetes
This condition is characterized by the inability of your muscles to utilize insulin, thus keeping them from using sugar as energy. Naturally, you will feel worn out all the time if you have diabetes. Other common signs and symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, weight loss and the frequent urge to urinate.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Feeling anxious from time to time is perfectly normal. After all, you’re just human. However, worrying that never seems to go away and leaves a negative impact on one’s life is a medical condition referred to as generalized anxiety disorder or GAD. One of the symptoms of this mental condition is lack of energy.
