When you are feeling so tired that it is overwhelming and not relieved with rest (also called fatigue or exhaustion), you should see a doctor, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms.
Feeling tired all the time is called fatigue or exhaustion, which is when tiredness is overwhelming and is not relieved with rest. Tiredness is usually able to be alleviated with rest.
Talk to your doctor if you are feeling tired with low energy and:
- Symptoms have persisted for several weeks
- Sleep does not alleviate the symptoms
- Excessive tiredness is a new symptom
- You are feeling depressed or anxious
See a doctor immediately if you have fatigue and:
- A profound change in the ability to do what you used to do
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heart rate
- Feeling as if you will pass out
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential.
Treatment for feeling too tired will depend on the cause.
What Are Symptoms of Feeling Too Tired?
In addition to feeling tired all the time, fatigue and exhaustion can cause physical, mental and emotional signs and symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Muscle aches or soreness
- Muscle weakness
- Slowed reflexes and responses
- Impaired decision-making and judgment
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Problems with hand-eye coordination
- Loss of appetite
- Reduced immune system function
- Blurred vision
- Short-term memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased attention
- Reduced motivation
- Hallucinations
Why Am I Always Tired?
There are numerous causes for feeling too tired, including:
- Iron deficiency anemia, which can be caused by
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Ulcers
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia
- Iron-overload disorder (haemochromatosis) (rare)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Sleep problems
- Sleep apnea, a condition in which people stop breathing for short periods during sleep
- Restless legs syndrome
- Lack of sleep
- Other sleep disorders
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system responds abnormally to a protein called gluten
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Infectious mononucleosis (“mono”)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancer
- Fatigue may be from the cancer itself or from the treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
- Certain medications, such as such as antidepressants, antihistamines, pain relivers, and medicines for nausea
- Recovering from major surgery
- Infections, including influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, or COVID-19
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Untreated pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in females
- Emotional stresses, including grief, financial or personal stresses
- Boredom
- Lifestyle habits
From
Healthy Resources
References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/10-medical-reasons-for-feeling-tired/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/fatigue-older-adults
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/10-medical-reasons-for-feeling-tired/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/fatigue-older-adults
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue