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

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. drepression, fatigue)

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

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

Request a ‘Why am I tired?’ test, today.

Once you take your test, we will have your results back to you before you know it.

And the good news is: if you need a follow-up, one of our InstantScripts GPs will be ready to talk with you.

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
• Check your medications — some medicines cause fatigue as a side effect
• 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

If you know that your sleep is the problem — we can help with that, too.

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. Treating these mental health issues can help your sleep and energy levels.

Not feeling well? Make a telehealth appointment today.