Fatigue is a constant state of tiredness that doesn’t go away even with adequate rest. It can be caused by lack of sleep or the common cold. It can also be the result of underlying health conditions. This article discusses 6 possible reasons why you could be fatigued.
Reasons Why You Are Feeling Fatigued
If you are constantly feeling fatigued, these are 6 possible reasons:
Not Getting Enough Quality Sleep
While you sleep, your body releases important growth hormones. In addition, your sleep also needs to be restful and uninterrupted to let your brain go through three stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and one stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You get tired when your brain is unable to go through these processes.
To get quality sleep, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society recommends at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
Stress
Chronic stress can result in stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED). It can also lead to structural and functional changes in your brain. This can cause chronic inflammation and contribute to symptoms like fatigue.
Nutrient Deficiencies
If you have a nutrient deficiency, it could make you feel exhausted daily. This commonly happens if you are deficient in the following nutrients:
● Iron
● Niacin (vitamin B3)
● Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
● Folate (vitamin B9)
● Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
Because deficiencies in these nutrients are quite common, it is crucial to have your levels tested if you are feeling unexplained fatigue.
Dietary Imbalances
If you undereat or eat ultra-processed foods low in essential nutrients, it can lead to calorie and nutrient deficiencies. When this keeps happening, and you don’t get enough calories, your body starts breaking fat and muscle, potentially triggering fatigue.
Certain Medical Conditions
If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue, you must visit your doctor and discuss your symptoms. He may recommend testing to eliminate certain health conditions that result in fatigue. These include cancer, anxiety disorders, kidney disease, depression, diabetes, and fibromyalgia.
By getting proper treatment for any underlying medical condition, you can also improve other areas of health.
Consuming Too Much Caffeine
Although caffeinated beverages like coffee can give you a temporary energy boost, relying on them too much can make you more tired the next day. This is because too much caffeine has harmed your sleep and causes fatigue.
Drinking too much caffeine is also connected to less sleep time and daytime sleepiness.
Conclusion
Multiple factors can cause chronic fatigue, such as underlying medical conditions, caffeine intake, nutrient deficiencies, and chronic stress. If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue, you must talk to your doctor to identify the cause.
