You really want to babysit the grandkids, or meet the guys for a round of golf, but you’re just so tired all the time. It’s hard to keep up with the life you want to live.
If you’re getting plenty of sack time, but still struggle to make it through the day without a nap, more sleep might not actually help.
Tired all the time triggers
Following are six often overlooked reasons why you might be tired all the time…
1. Adrenal fatigue:
Your adrenal glands pump out adrenaline and other stress hormones, when you’re under stress to help you weather the storm. This system worked perfectly for our ancient ancestors, helping them survive, say, attacks from predators or skirmishes with neighboring clans.
The trouble is these days with our always on the go fast pace we’re pushing ourselves too hard. As a result we’re constantly living with a low level of stress. Which means your adrenal glands never get a rest, and neither do you.
Simply put, it’s exhausting to operate in constant overdrive. And, as a result, you end up tired all the time. If you suspect adrenal fatigue may be at the heart of your energy issues, making a few changes in your routine can help turn things back around.
Start by dropping the simple sugars and junk carbohydrates from your diet. These cause sugar spikes and drops that contribute to that tired all the time feeling. Reduce caffeine, which puts extra stress on your adrenal gland. And switch to organic foods and ingredients with the least processing possible.
Then consider some adrenal-supporting supplements such as ashwagandha, eleuthero, licorice root, schisandra and vitamin C. And finally, don’t underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep and finding ways to have fun and relax.
2. Anemia:
Women are at a higher risk for anemia than men are. And while anemia is rarer in women who have already gone through menopause, it isn’t unheard of. In fact, anemia is a classic cause for chronic fatigue.
When you’re anemic, your blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. And since oxygen feeds your cells and gives you energy, when they aren’t getting enough of it, you get tired.
The most common trigger for anemia—and the tired all the time feeling that goes with it—is a lack of iron. Your doctor can give you a blood test to confirm if this condition is behind your own fatigue. Eating more iron rich foods such as liver, clams, mussels, oysters, beef, and sardines can help raise your iron levels. And if your doctor confirms your anemia, he may suggest a supplement as well.
3. Diabetes:
For many folks the first sign of blood sugar issues is feeling tried all the time. It’s also one of the most overlooked.
The constant fluctuating blood sugars of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes alone could trigger feelings of fatigue. High blood sugar can slow circulation, which means your cells might not be getting all the oxygen and nutrients they need. And low sugar levels can starve your cells of the energy they need.
If you’re suffering from unexplained fatigue, consider testing your blood sugar at home. Or ask your doctor about a hemoglobin A1-C test, which will measure your average daily blood sugar.
4. Heart problems:
When your heart isn’t at the top of its game, your blood flow can become unreliable putting your vital organs at risk. But your body has a built in safety system. If needed it will pull blood from your arms and legs to make sure the organs that need it the most get what they require first.
While this system helps keep your organs functioning, it can also make ordinary tasks such as climbing a flight of stairs or unloading groceries exhausting. If everyday activities wipe you out, or you find yourself short of breath or feeling dizzy, check in with your doctor as soon as possible.
5. Sleep apnea:
Obviously if you’re not getting enough sleep, or you suffer from insomnia, you’re going to be tired. But what if you don’t even know you aren’t sleeping well? That is often the case if you have sleep apnea.
If you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This triggers your brain to wake up to restore breathing. However, since you don’t need to become fully conscious for this cycle to occur, you may never even know it is happening.
You could have hundreds of these episodes every single night. And even if you never become completely awake, you will end up feeling the effects in the form of constant fatigue during the day.
Folks with sleep apnea are often heavy snorers as well. If you suspect sleep apnea could be the reason you feel tired all the time ask your doctor about having a sleep study done.
If you do have apnea, sometimes losing weight can cure the condition. And meanwhile a CPAP machine, that creates positive air pressure to keep your throat open—and you breathing—can help you finally get a good night’s sleep.
6. Thyroid problems:
According to experts at the New York Thyroid Center at Columbia University Medical Center, both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can cause fatigue.
Thyroid problems are more common in women than men. Hyperthyroidism occurs more often in younger women. And while hypothyroidism can happen to anyone, the condition is more common in women 50 and older.
A blood test can diagnose either condition. Reducing stress, taking thyroid-supporting supplements and getting a full 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night can help ease some thyroid symptoms, including that tired all the time feeling.
Chronic fatigue is often more than just needing to turn the light out earlier. If you feel tired all the time, one of these six conditions could be the cause.
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