Tiredness never was happiness. Do you get a decent amount of sleep every night? Can you not function without napping during the day? Are you completely exhausted for no apparent reason? One of these diseases may be the culprit.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition when your red blood cells do not carry enough oxygen throughout the body. Your cells could be misshapen or there may just not be enough of them. The most common type of anemia is iron deficiency anemia. Anemia typically affects women and children more so than men, but those with autoimmune diseases can also be at risk. Apart from fatigue, other symptoms include pale skin, dizziness, weakness, brittle nails and sensitivity to cold. Anemia can be treated with iron supplements or blood transfusions, but be sure to consult your doctor before taking any medications.
Thyroid disease
One of the major symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland is excessive fatigue. Hypothyroidism affects women more than men. The thyroid controls many functions in the body, including metabolism. Unexplained weight gain, sensitivity to cold, hair loss, depression, and dry, pale skin are among many symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism can be treated with synthetic hormones prescribed by your doctor.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that puts the patient's joints and organs in a chronic state of inflammation. Women in between the ages of 40 and 60 are more at risk for the disease, but it can affect anyone at any age in rare cases. Along with fatigue, swollen and tender joints, unexplained fevers and joint stiffness are symptoms of on-setting arthritis. Although it is not curable, rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatories.
Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is becoming a rising epidemic in the United States alone. Diabetes prevents your pancreas from correctly processing sugar. Diabetes can be set off by a number of factors such as being over the age of 46, family genetics, race, high blood pressure and excessive weight gain. The disease causes irritability, excessive thirst, fatigue and blurry vision. Diabetes can be treated and in some cases cured if one begins to practice a healthier lifestyle.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder. The main factor of the disease is when one stops breathing completely and starts again repeatedly through the night. Symptoms include exhaustion throughout the day, loud snoring during the night, gasping for air during sleep, insomnia, difficulty paying attention and headaches. Sleep apnea can be treated with different types of airway pressure devices, surgery or therapy.
Depression
Depression and anxiety are culprits of chronic fatigue. One of the major symptoms of depression is insomnia, which causes fatigue later on. Depression affects millions of people around the world, both male and female. The main symptoms of depression are feelings of hopelessness, lack of interest in usual pleasures, no motivation, appetite changes and irritability. Depression can be treated with therapy, medication or lifestyle changes.
Allergies
Although you wouldn't think so, underlying food allergies can cause excessive fatigue. Food intolerance can bring many symptoms to the table either minutes or hours after eating. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, acid reflux and unexplained fatigue. A blood test can most likely determine food intolerance.
Chronic hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is not reserved just for diabetics. Many people can suffer from a constant state of low blood sugar. If left untreated, low sugar levels can lead to shakiness, sweating, chills, nervousness, dizziness, impatience, extreme fatigue, loss of consciousness and nausea. Ingesting fast-acting foods with carbohydrates can treat hypoglycemia, or diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of dropping sugar levels.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency has become a spiraling problem in the last decade. Although most people have not changed their daily routines, the "sun vitamin" is continuing to drop low in every reason. Being overweight, having limited sun exposure, gastrointestinal problems and having darker skin can put you at further risk of vitamin D deficiency. Chronic low levels of this vitamin can lead to more serious conditions in the long run, including osteoporosis, depression, multiple sclerosis and heart disease. Symptoms include intense fatigue, irritability and weak muscles. Treatment includes prescribed vitamin D supplements and increased time spent in direct sunlight.
Stress
Do you feel like you could rip all of your hair out and not have a care in the world? Your stress levels have gotten out of hand if you answered yes to that question. Stress is completely draining to our bodies. When we are stressed, we are constantly in "fight or flight" mode, and because of that, we may not get an adrenaline rush when we actually need to fight. Stress has so many negative effects on the body. It leads to muscle pain, intestinal issues, frequent illnesses and fatigue.
There are more serious conditions that can come to pass if stress goes untreated. If you feel like your life is completely derailed, maybe take a day off to relax and pamper yourself. No one should go through life feeling completely exhausted and miserable all the time. Treat yourself, and reduce those stress levels!
