Why are you so tired all the time?

WHEN we feel tired, we often blame it on overwork and lack of sleep. But believe it or not, there are other little things such as our health and daily activities that may cause us to slow down.

Dr Calnette Williams, family physician at Dunrobin Medical and Wellness Centre, shared with All Woman some issues with the body which may result in prolonged tiredness.

1. Thyroid problem

The thyroid glands produce hormones that control your metabolic rate and give you energy and that extra boost to do the daily activities. But if something is wrong with the thyroid, it will affect your energy level.

“If you have hypothyroidism, which means that the gland is under-functioning, then you won’t have these energy-boosting hormones that boost your metabolism, and that could explain why you have this low energy state,” Dr Williams said. The family physician explained that low thyroid hormones also have other effects on the body, and it is important that you rule them out first by seeing your doctor, as having hypothyroidism can cause serious problems down the road.

2. Low-T syndrome

Dr Williams said for men low-T syndrome or low testosterone syndrome occurs as they age, because the body’s testosterone levels fall. “You may end up with a low sex drive, low feeling of energy, and weight gain,” she said. Dr Williams added that it is important to check this out as a priority to ensure you don’t have any hormonal disturbances.

3. Sleep apnoea

“People who are overweight and even those with normal weight may have sleep apnoea, which is difficulty breathing while they are sleeping,” she said. Dr Williams explained that when this occurs, the body wakes up every few minutes because of the lack of air. She further stated that you never get into the deep sleep that gives you the rest you need, so you’re sleepy during the day and always tired.

“This can have consequences in the long run including worsened obesity, heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. You need to check this out if you are snoring heavily or gasping for air during the night,” Dr Williams said.

4. Lack of exercise

According to Dr Williams, exercise boosts your metabolism and gives you more energy as your metabolic rate goes up. “If you’re not exercising enough then you fall into a slump where your body is just using enough energy to grow and repair cells. If you exercise more it will boost your energy levels,” she said.

5. Heavy meals

The family physician said people may notice after the Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner that they have low energy and only want to sleep. “Most people refer to it by the coined name ‘niggeritis’, but this happens when you consume too heavy a meal and it changes the pH balance in your blood and shunts blood to your gastrointestinal tract to digest that food. So if you’re eating heavy meals consistently, you may have prolonged fatigue as a result of digesting this meal,” she said.

6. Depression

Dr Williams said people who are depressed have feelings of low energy and this may be one of the first signs. “Lack of interest in the activities you usually enjoy, or anhedonia, is associated with depression. If you are experiencing these symptoms, go and check it out,” she said.

7. Anaemia or low blood count

“The red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and with anaemia, you may have easy fatigability, which means enough oxygen is not going to your muscles,” she said. She explained that once you start to do some exercise, depending on the level of anaemia you have, you may end up with tiredness just carrying out daily activities.

“If you notice any change in your bowel habits or if you have heavy periods in particular you should be worried about anaemia. Other symptoms include cravings for ice, dirt, or strange substances that are not usually consumed as food,” Dr Williams said.