Tired All the Time? 30 Likely Causes of Daytime Fatigue

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Are you always tired, day in, day out? If you’ve been experiencing constant fatigue that doesn’t go away, you might need to see a doctor, pronto. It’s possible that vitamin B12 supplements, a change in diet, or prescription medication will get your energy levels back to normal.  Here’s a quick rundown of 30 illnesses, emotional disorders, and lifestyle habits that cause people to be tired all the time. Some obvious fatigue causes may fall under the “duh” category, but a few others may surprise you…

TIRED ALL THE TIME? 30 LIKELY CAUSES OF DAYTIME FATIGUE

Causes of constant fatigue:

  • 1.Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 occurs in protein foods like beef, chicken, and fish, but even meat-eaters are susceptible to getting vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition that causes fatigue, absentmindedness, and depression, among other physical and cognitive impairments. To find out if you have vitamin B12 deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test. If vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause of your fatigue, then you will likely need to take weekly vitamin B12 shots.
  • 2. Anemia: In some cases, fatigue from vitamin B12 deficiency results from pernicious anemia, an illness that occurs when your body is unable to make intrinsic factor, a digestive enzyme required for digesting vitamin B12. Iron anemia is also another cause of constant sleepiness during the day.
  • 3. Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disorder that causes a hyperactive response to pain sensors in its sufferers. Fibromyalgia patients experience chronic fatigue, muscular and joint pain in specific areas, and gastrointestinal problems. Vitamin B12 deficiency also correlates highly with fibromyalgia.
  • 4. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Similar to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome is also an autoimmune disorder causing extreme tiredness and excruciating pain, although not limited to certain pain points in the body. With CFS, patients feel tired and achy from morning to evening, even if they sleep well and avoid overexerting themselves physically.
  • 5. Diabetes: Patients of diabetes often suffer from fatigue as a result of sugar remaining in the bloodstream, instead of being converted into energy. Medications, exercise, and diabetes management is required in order to avoid afternoon burnout.
  • 6. Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid, as in hypothyroidism, will cause you to feel sluggish, slow, and always fatigued. “Brain fog” is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Hormone therapy is required to thyroid disorders.
  • 7. Hyperthyroidism: The opposite of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism is what happens when you produce too much thyroxine, causing jitteriness, heart palpitations, and anxiety. Surprisingly, fatigue is also a side effect of this thyroid disorder.
  • 8. Heart disease: It’s worthy of noting that undiagnosed heart disease is sometimes the cause of constant tiredness during the day. If heart disease runs in the family, then notify your doctor if you feel fatigue that lasts for days.
  • 9. Acute liver failure: Fatigue is one of many symptoms of organ malfunctioning, including the liver.
  • 10. Chronic kidney failure: Kidney failure also causes daytime fatigue.
  • 11. Sleep apnea: Sometimes, undiagnosed sleep apnea keeps you from getting enough quality sleep during the night. If you always wake up tired, despite going to sleep early, then consult your physician.
  • 12. Restless legs syndrome: Like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome is another condition that causes you to lose sleep and feel tired during the day.
  • 13. Emphysema: Fatigue is one of many detrimental side effects of this dangerous illness.
  • 14. Menopause: Menopause may cause unusual tiredness.
  • 15. Pregnancy: Pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, is a common cause of fatigue in women.
  • 16. Alcohol abuse: Alcoholism destroys the body’s organs, causes mood disorders, damages the nervous system, and causes chronic fatigue.
  • 17. Statins: In recent studies, the use of cholesterol-lowering statins is linked with low sports endurance and constant tiredness.
  • 18. Prescription painkillers: Side effects of some prescription painkillers include fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and brain fog.
  • 19. Cough medicines: Many cough medicines and antihistamines cause extreme fatigue, even the ones labeled “non-drowsiness” formula.
  • 20. Blood pressure medications: Fatigue is a common side effect of some blood pressure medications.
  • 21. Certain antidepressants: Sometimes, certain antidepressants may cause chronic fatigue in its users.
  • 22. Depression: Tiredness, sluggish thinking, and deep sadness that last for weeks are all common indicators of severe depression.
  • 23. Stress: Long-term stress causes nervous tension that leads to overwhelming fatigue.
  • 24. Grief: With the death of a loved one, grief causes feelings of sadness, despair, and extreme tiredness.
  • 25. Obesity: Many current studies blame morbid obesity for increasing occurrences of chronic fatigue.
  • 26. Sugar: Eating a diet high in processed sugars and carbohydrates is a source of daytime fatigue for many people. To avoid a sugar “crash and burn,” avoid sugary drinks and candies, and opt instead for plain seltzers flavored with fruit juice and whole food snacks like dates and frozen grapes.
  • 27. Caffeine: Like sugar consumption, overdoing it with caffeinated drinks causes daytime fatigue for many. A good rule of thumb is limiting to only one or two cups of coffee per day.
  • 28. Inactivity: Even if you eat a healthy diet, lack of exercise is likely to cause constant fatigue and health problems like obesity and heart disease. To avoid constant tiredness, include at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 4 times per week.
  • 29. Excessive activity: What goes up must go down, and the same goes for energy levels. Overexerting yourself with too-frequent exercise wears you out, both physically and emotionally.
  • 30. Not getting enough quality sleep: This one is obvious, but still worth mentioning. Many people think they’re getting enough sleep, and are surprised to find that they’re still tired during the day. Surprisingly, even one hour of extra nighttime sleep is enough to avoid the afternoon slump.

Tired All the Time? 30 Likely Causes of Daytime Fatigue

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Sources:

Study: Statins May Be Linked to Fatigue

Obesity, Depression Linked to Daytime Sleepiness

Fatigue Causes

Why Am I So Tired? 10 Possible Causes of Fatigue

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