Feeling tired can be attributed to a variety of factors, ranging from a poor night’s sleep to issues with mental or physical health.
While these problems can often be resolved quickly, some individuals experience constant fatigue.
According to YouGov, 13 per cent of people in the UK are perpetually exhausted, while a quarter of the population claim they’re drained ‘most of the time’.
It’s no surprise that being tired can negatively impact your wellbeing and other aspects of your life.
Fatigue can be categorised into three types – psychological, physical, and lifestyle-related.
The NHS lists several common causes for this:
- Not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia).
- An unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise).
- Stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.
- Hormonal changes (such as during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause).
- Some illnesses, like glandular fever and COVID-19.
- Some medical treatments and medicines, like chemotherapy, which can cause drowsiness for a while.
However, if you’ve been feeling tired for an extended period and can’t pinpoint why, it could indicate a medical condition.
Anxiety and depression have also been associated with chronic fatigue, causing some people to feel tired even after getting the recommended six to nine hours of sleep.
Physical health conditions such as sleep apnoea, anaemia, and menopause could also be the cause of frequent fatigue.
Other conditions that can lead to fatigue include diabetes, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), reports Wales Online.
Before you start worrying and self-diagnosing (which you should avoid doing), the NHS recommends several daily routine adjustments that can help combat tiredness and fatigue.
These include:
- Have a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Try to stick to the same sleep times and aim for six to nine hours of sleep.
- Try to relax a couple of hours before your sleep time (read, or listen to music or a podcast).
- Have a relaxing sleeping area (not too bright, noisy or warm).
It is recommended to refrain from smoking, consuming excess alcohol, eating hefty meals, intaking caffeine, or exerting yourself physically in the hours leading up to bedtime.
Also, minimise the use of smartphones and other screens an hour before you tuck in for the night.
But when does persistent tiredness necessitate a visit to your physician?
Dr Leyland, Clinical Advisor at myGP, imparted his knowledge to The Metro, saying: “Fatigue can result in slower reactions, reduced ability to process information, memory lapses, absent-mindedness and reduced coordination.
“These can lead to accidents or reduced productivity, for example at work.
“Where possible you should consider lifestyle changes to improve sleep but seek advice from your GP if tiredness symptoms persist. There may be an underlying health issue requiring a GP prescription.”
According to NHS guidance, book an appointment with your GP if exhaustion has lingered inexplicably for several weeks; it’s disrupting your daily routine; other symptoms such as weight loss or mood swings accompany your fatigue; or if anyone has noticed you making gasping, snorting or choking noises during sleep.
