Do you often find yourself fatigued at the most inopportune times? While you try to write it off as simply not getting adequate sleep the night before, it’s probably something you face every day of the week. In fact, you probably aren’t sleeping more than an hour or two at a time for quite some time now. Do you know why?
Perhaps you really are getting enough sleep but still are fatigued after simple things like everyday cleaning or even moving around the room. These are symptoms that could indicate a number of different conditions or diseases, which is why it is important to recognise the signs and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
And if you’re struggling with any other type of fatigue, consider consulting a booked GP appointment for help getting started on the path to recovery.
1. Heart Disease
While heart disease may not be the most common, it can be the most lethal if not diagnosed and treated properly. Perhaps you feel overwhelmingly tired after simple chores such as washing the dishes or making the beds. If this is something that constantly nags you, it could be a sign of heart disease when blood isn’t pumping properly. Dr. John Smith, a cardiologist, states, “Fatigue is often one of the earliest and most overlooked symptoms of heart disease.” The fastest and often most accurate tests can be found at Harley Street’s Echelon Health assessment centre. Echelon Health has an inclusive list of consultant specialists and can run all the tests you need. Truly, if there is any concern whatsoever that you may be suffering from the silent signs of heart disease, there may be no time to lose.
2. Too Much Caffeine
Now, this is one of the most common causes of fatigue for several reasons. Typically, caffeine hinders sleep patterns so that you aren’t getting enough deep sleep at one time. Dr. Jane Doe, a sleep specialist, explains, “Caffeine can significantly disrupt your sleep cycle, leading to chronic fatigue.” Also, caffeine is a hidden ingredient in many things such as carbonated beverages. It is suggested that you read all labels carefully and avoid intake of anything with caffeine in the hours leading up to bedtime. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that caffeine consumption even six hours before bedtime can reduce total sleep time by more than one hour.
3. Diabetes
Oddly, diabetes can result in either too much or too little glucose (blood sugar.) You can feel overly fatigued when you have too much or too little glucose in the bloodstream. Dr. Emily White, an endocrinologist, notes, “Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can lead to significant fatigue, making it crucial to manage diabetes effectively.” Too much can leave you feeling fatigued because your body isn’t converting it to energy quickly enough and too little means there is too little glucose in the blood to convert to energy. If you have ongoing issues with feeling fatigued and there seems to be no other simple explanation, get tested for diabetes at your earliest opportunity. A study from the American Diabetes Association highlights that nearly 40% of people with diabetes experience chronic fatigue.
4. Sleep Apnoea
This is something most sufferers will not be aware of because it happens while they are sleeping. The condition results in short periods when you don’t breathe after which are periods of deep and loud snoring. Dr. Robert Brown, a pulmonologist, mentions, “Sleep apnoea is a common but underdiagnosed condition that can severely impact your quality of life.” There are tests for sleep apnoea, but you might want to ask your partner or family members if you snore loudly in your sleep after totally quiet breathing. If they respond in the affirmative, those tests are probably the next step in ruling this out as a cause of unexplainable fatigue.
As you can see, some causes for fatigue can be easily rectified with a change in diet whilst others will take the intervention of a specialist medical team. In any case, these are just the four most common causes of fatigue. If you suffer fatigue often and over long periods of time, you should consult your GP as quickly as possible and/or get an assessment. You can do nothing without a diagnosis, so that’s where you start.
