Why do I feel tired all the time? 3 reasons for fatigue

17/06/2022

We all feel tired sometimes but when feeling tired becomes a daily experience — no matter how much sleep you get — then it’s worth considering what could be going on. Fatigue, or feeling tired, is most likely caused by something from one of these categories:

  • a physical health condition
  • a lifestyle choice
  • a mental health issue (e.g. depression, fatigue)

Here, we’ll take a brief look at each category — and what you can do about it.

If you feel tired all the time it could be due to your health.
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Why do I feel tired all the time?

Feeling tired (fatigue) could be a symptom of an underlying condition such as:

  • anaemia — not having enough iron in your blood
  • underactive thyroid — when you have too little of the thyroid hormone thyroxine
  • coeliac disease — when you are allergic to gluten
  • diabetes — when your body can’t metabolise glucose. This common condition also causes thirst, a need to go to the toilet frequently, and weight loss
  • problems with your liver or kidneys

InstantScripts has just launched the “Why am I tired?” test. This is a blood test that helps identify some of the conditions causing fatigue. The test measures things like:

  • iron levels
  • electrolytes
  • fasting glucose
  • vitamin B12
  • kidney function

Lifestyle choices can cause tiredness

Most mild fatigue is not due to an underlying condition. You might not be getting enough sleep. You might have a poor diet. Or they may be another lifestyle factor you could tweak.

To combat mild fatigue, try one of these tips:

  • Eat a little, more often — smaller meals more frequently can smooth out your energy levels. Try having more protein, and less refined carbohydrates
  • Exercise — a little goes a long way (even a 15 min walk)
  • Lose weight — carrying excess weight can strain your body and cause fatigue
  • Reduce or manage stress — delegate some tasks, or practice mindfulness/deep breathing
  • Cut down your caffeine intake — too much caffeine will affect your sleep
  • Drink less alcohol — alcohol can affect sleep quality, too
  • Drink more water — dehydration is a known energy thief
Combat tiredness by doing some exercise in the fresh air.
Going for a run or getting some exercise can boost your energy levels and help you feel less tired.

Mental health can cause tiredness

Always consult a doctor if your fatigue is more than mild, lasts for a long time and you have other symptoms such as:

  • weight loss
  • pain in your muscles or joints
  • blood loss from your bowel or heavier periods
  • loss of appetite

Sometimes, fatigue is not the result of a physical problem, but a psychological one.

If you feel depressed or overly anxious, talk with a doctor as soon as you can. Fatigue is a symptom of both depression and anxiety. You can request a telehealth consultation with one of our Australian-registered doctors from anywhere in Australia, seven days a week.

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