Why do I feel tired all the time? 3 reasons for fatigue
We all feel tired sometimes but when feeling tired becomes a daily experience — no matter how much sleep you get — then it’s worth considering what could be going on. Fatigue, or feeling tired, is most likely caused by something from one of these categories:
- a physical health condition
- a lifestyle choice
- a mental health issue (e.g. depression, fatigue)
Here, we’ll take a brief look at each category — and what you can do about it.
Why do I feel tired all the time?
Feeling tired (fatigue) could be a symptom of an underlying condition such as:
- anaemia — not having enough iron in your blood
- underactive thyroid — when you have too little of the thyroid hormone thyroxine
- coeliac disease — when you are allergic to gluten
- diabetes — when your body can’t metabolise glucose. This common condition also causes thirst, a need to go to the toilet frequently, and weight loss
- problems with your liver or kidneys
InstantScripts has just launched the "Why am I tired?” test. This is a blood test that helps identify some of the conditions causing fatigue. The test measures things like:
- iron levels
- electrolytes
- fasting glucose
- vitamin B12
- kidney function
Lifestyle choices can cause tiredness
Most mild fatigue is not due to an underlying condition. You might not be getting enough sleep. You might have a poor diet. Or they may be another lifestyle factor you could tweak.
To combat mild fatigue, try one of these tips:
- Eat a little, more often — smaller meals more frequently can smooth out your energy levels. Try having more protein, and less refined carbohydrates
- Exercise — a little goes a long way ( even a 15 min walk )
- Lose weight — carrying excess weight can strain your body and cause fatigue
- Reduce or manage stress — delegate some tasks, or practice mindfulness/deep breathing
- Cut down your caffeine intake — too much caffeine will affect your sleep
- Drink less alcohol — alcohol can affect sleep quality, too
- Drink more water — dehydration is a known energy thief
Mental health can cause tiredness
Always consult a doctor if your fatigue is more than mild, lasts for a long time and you have other symptoms such as:
- weight loss
- pain in your muscles or joints
- blood loss from your bowel or heavier periods
- loss of appetite
Sometimes, fatigue is not the result of a physical problem, but a psychological one.
If you feel depressed or overly anxious, talk with a doctor as soon as you can. Fatigue is a symptom of both depression and anxiety. You can request a telehealth consultation with one of our Australian-registered doctors from anywhere in Australia, seven days a week.