Many of us feel tired every single day, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not something to worry about. If you’re constantly feeling fatigued even without much reason, don’t ignore that state. In some cases, tiredness and fatigue might be your body’s way of trying to warn you about something that needs medical attention.
You may be asking, “Why am I so tired all the time?”
People who say “I feel tired all the time” might be experiencing the symptom which healthcare professionals refer to by the medical term “Fatigue”.
There are, of course, hundreds of possible causes of fatigue. In most cases, it’s probably due to some unhealthy lifestyle or diet; which means fatigue might be manageable even without medical attention. The treatment for fatigue caused by the above is a no-brainer: one should focus on a change of lifestyle and start eating a nutritious diet.
Sometimes, for different reasons, many who have found eating right very challenging would resort to natural energy boosters or energy drinks instead. However, it’s not really recommended that we rely on these artificial methods in order to boost our energy. They’ll only work on a temporary basis, which would at best be a band-aid solution that might even aggravate the main issue.
A Common Issue
Just how common is fatigue? It is probably too common that people tend to ignore it or just decide to live with it. A very good book that’s highly recommended for such issues is “From Fatigued to Fantastic” by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum. It’s a comprehensive and helpful work that can help us understand the problem and work on it in a better manner.
Chronic Fatigue
If the fatigue has gone on for too long (more than six months or so), it may be an indication of a potentially disabling condition like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which used to go by the name Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. The issue might also be CFIDS with or without associated Fibromyalgia (FM) or Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Incidentally, many holistic practitioners like Dr. Teitelbaum would treat patients who have persistent chronic fatigue states resulting in considerable functional impairment as if they have CSF, even though they may not have enough symptoms to be diagnosed as having CSF.
According to an advisory from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), early diagnosis and treatment for CFS may hold the key to substantial recovery. “The percentage of CFS patients who recover is unknown, but there is some evidence to indicate that the sooner a person is treated, the better the chance of improvement. This means early diagnosis and treatment are important”.
In fact, so alarmed was the CDC about the rising incidence of incapacitating or disabling CFS that the agency developed a tool kit for health care practitioners to properly assess those who are suffering from chronic fatigue and implement the applicable treatments as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in such cases, as functional impairments due to the illness may still be manageable or reversible. If we leave it too late, the problem might become permanent.
Overcoming Fatigue
The first step in overcoming fatigue is to find out the answer to your question “Why am I so tired all the time?”. This means, you need to find out what is causing your fatigue before taking the next step. This is because your treatment options will be determined by the underlying cause or causes of your fatigue. We mention treatment ‘options’ since in most cases of fatigue (in fact, all cases of chronic fatigue) the root of the problem is not just one factor.
In most cases of fatigue, changes in lifestyle or diet, or taking some natural energy boosters or energy drinks may be all you need to overcome the situation. For some, the treatment may require much more attention.
Stay Relaxed
If it turns out that you do have a fatigue-related disorder, your best bet just might be to relax and clear your mind. Many times, we aren’t able to sleep properly at night due to the tensed-up feelings inside our body and mind. Even if we do manage to drift off, we might not get the rest we need due to constant worrying and tension. Many people grind their teeth in their sleep, which is a sure sign of some underlying stress.
It is essential that you start following some methods in order to relax yourself mentally and physically. This could include meditation, deep breathing, or even some light humor.
This shirt is an inexpensive piece of clothing that could help us make light of the situation but also acknowledge it. It’s one of those motto T-shirts that are trending these days, but it’s also comfortable enough to slip on for bed. The front of this item reads “I have no clue why I am not in bed, I need to sleep”. It’s available in several colors, including grey, purple, black, etc.
Other mottos for this T-shirt include “I want to sleep more”, “I love sleeping”, “let’s get back to bed”, etc. This might be just what you need to lift your mood and perhaps even laugh a little. This could relax you enough to finally fall asleep and get that rest you need so badly.
What Causes Fatigue?
Now that we know how common fatigue is, we should take a look at what causes this problem in the first place. In addition to seeing a doctor for such considerations and trying out some natural healing methods, finding out the sources of your problem might also be of help.
First of all, it’s recommended that you visit a doctor as soon as possible if your fatigue is affecting your everyday life. For instance, if you’re sliding back at work or school because of constantly being triggered despite several hours of sleep, there’s probably an underlying problem. It might not be chronic fatigue, but there could be some other deficiency you should work on sooner rather than later.
A few causes of fatigue are discussed below:
Not Enough Sleep
This is one of the first and foremost causes that doctors ask about when you go in complaining about fatigue. That isn’t surprising, as many of us aren’t really great sleepers in any case. If we have the internet, a mobile device, or a service like Netflix, there are many reasons for staying up late at night. Add in the stress of a demanding job, the pressure of making a living or good grades, and it’s no wonder that many of us are lying sleepless night after night.
Getting proper sleep is essential for feeling grounded and healthy in both a mental and physical sense. Before you visit a doctor to get any medications, try to make sure you’re getting a good eight hours every night. If this still doesn’t help, it might be time to get tested for chronic fatigue.
Depression
Depression, or depressive feelings, can be the result of lowered levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. With these neurotransmitters depleted, we experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, and decreased energy.
Many depressed people have issues with falling asleep at night, staying asleep, or waking up. This also makes you sluggish during waking hours and restless at night. If you think that this might be the reason behind your chronic fatigue, get yourself to the doctor or a therapist right away, leaving depression untreated is not just a bad decision because of your tiredness, but also its negative effect on all aspects of our lives.
Conclusion
Fatigue might be experienced by many people in the world, but there comes a point where you need proper treatment in order to function normally. Natural methods are recommended, but medical intervention could absolutely be necessary. Monitor your sleeping patterns and notice what your body’s telling you throughout the day. Don’t hesitate to see a doctor if things look like they’re spinning out of control.