Causes of Chronic Fatigue and Tiredness

Stress, Insomnia, Anemia Can Cause Low Energy

Aug 28, 2009 Noreen Kassem

Causes of fatigue or lethargy may be caused by illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, insomnia and anemia which are worsened by stress.

Lethargy is one way the body tells us something is wrong or off balance. This may be as simple as a lifestyle change such as sleeping too much or unhealthy eating habit, or it may be a sign of disease. If you have become unusually lethargic a medical diagnosis can determine the cause. There are many disorders and secondary factors that can cause or worsen fatigue.

Stress Can Worsen Other Disorders and Cause Fatigue

Stress can be very difficult to adapt to a comfortable level, before it spirals out of control. Persistent stress can lead to depression, anxiety and grief.

Such stress may cause the body to undergo notable physiological as well as emotional and psychological changes. And there’s no question that stress often disrupts sleep patterns.

Stress can also aggravate physical conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal ulcers, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (overactive and underactive thyroid gland function), infections, arthritis, lupus, depression and other disorders that may cause chronic fatigue. Speak to a doctor about ways to cope with negative and excessive stress and maintain health.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia has a wide range of definitions; including not being able to fall asleep, not being able to stay asleep and waking up too early. There is also a range of precautions to take to prevent or reduce insomnia.

Wind down before bed, avoid watching television, listening to loud music and exercising just before going bed as these activities can be stimulating. Avoid spicy foods at least a few hours before bedtime – they may cause heartburn and indigestion.

Sleep disorders include both the quantity and quality of sleep. Sleeping too much or taking unnecessary naps during the day can cause fitful sleep at night. This does not provide the deep, restful sleep needed to recharge the body and prevent fatigue.

Wake-up time is just as important as bed time. Sleeping in too late on a quiet Sunday can disrupt your sleep cycle. Avoid sleeping in for more than an hour past your regular time to prevent fatigue during the week.

If sleep patterns do not improve over time a doctor can determine whether there are other causes such as a disorder.

Exercise for Energy

The more active you are, the more energy you'll have for hours afterwards to beat fatigue. This may not be felt right away, but after a few weeks of an active lifestyle, the body will kick into overdrive, rev up your metabolism and you'll have more energy than ever. And you'll sleep better. Regular exercise, particularly running and jogging, has been shown to improve sleep patterns and decrease insomnia. Just remember not to exercise at least 2 hours before going to bed.

The heart also becomes more efficient at pumping blood through the body with exercise. This delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain helping you think more clearly, focus better and be more alert. Regular exercise improves creativity and memory power, and can even keep the brain sharp into old age.

Iron Out Fatigue

Anemia is a common disorder in teens and adults, particularly in women due to a loss of blood during their monthly menstrual cycles. Iron-related anemia is preventable and treatable with the right nutrition.

Anemia is a condition where there is a lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells and is composed of iron. The oxygen you breathe in is needed by every cell of the body to metabolize nutrients and produce usable energy. When there is a loss of iron due to poor nutrition or a disorder, anemia can occur causing chronic fatigue.

There are various other types and causes of anemia. These include blood loss, reactions to medication, hereditary diseases and some disorders. Some indications of anemia are a pale complexion, rapid heart rate and consistent fatigue and weariness. Anemia can be diagnosed by a simple test to determine red blood count or hemoglobin levels.

A change in diet can prevent or reduce anemia. Eggs are rich in iron as well as protein for energy and stamina. Other iron-rich foods include meats (liver and red meat are higher in iron), fish, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, legumes such as peas and beans, and whole-grain bread. Vitamin C increases the body’s absorption of iron.

Thyroid Disorders

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. It secretes thyroxine (T4) and triidothyronine (T3), the hormones that control metabolism, and hence influence the body’s energy levels. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which this gland is underactive and produces lower than normal amounts of thyroid hormone. This affects metabolism and almost all body functions, causing a wide range of symptoms including mental and physical sluggishness.

The most common cause of this serious disorder is an autoimmune response in which the body attacks the gland and damages it. It is most common in women, in individuals of both genders over the age of 50, and in obese people.

Hypothyroidism has a wide range of drastic symptoms including depression, weakness, fatigue, constipation, weight gain, joint or muscle pain, puffiness in the face, hands and feet, thinning hair and cold intolerance.

Hyperthyroidism has the opposite cause of hypothyroidism. It is due to an overactive thyroid gland and causes symptoms that include restlessness, rapid weight loss, increased sweating, heat intolerance, frequent bowel movements, fatigue and an inability to focus. Both thyroid conditions can be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Causes Of Lethargy:

• Lifestyle habits
• Dietary habits
• Poor nutrition
• Stress
• Insomnia
• Poor sleeping habits
• Depression
• Lack of exercise
• Anemia
• Head injury
• Infections
• Alcohol or Drug use
• High or low blood pressure
• Nutritional deficiency
• Constipation
• Thyroid or Adrenal gland disorders
• Diseases such as Diabetes, Measles, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Mononucleosis, and Encephalitis.
• Drug interactions
• Side effect of certain medications or herbal supplements and treatments.
• Toxins in the body

The copyright of the article Causes of Chronic Fatigue and Tiredness in General Medicine is owned by Noreen Kassem. Permission to republish Causes of Chronic Fatigue and Tiredness in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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