With the daily hassle and bustle, feeling tired at the end of the day has become part and parcel of life. It’s common to feel tired and lack energy especially if you have a 9 to 5 job, a family to take care of, and other demands to cater to. However, in some cases, tiredness could be a sign of chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a disorder characterized by unexplained extreme tiredness that lasts for months. Chronic fatigue can make life difficult since it prevents you from going about your normal activities causing you to become less productive. The causes are still unknown but experts suggest that chronic fatigue can be triggered by a combination of factors. Here are some.
Age
In the elderly, fatigue is often ignored or attributed to old age. However, it can be caused by a variety of underlying issues such as blood circulation problems, pulmonary diseases, poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances like hypothyroidism, and metabolic issues. It’s necessary to consult your doctor if you experience prolonged periods of tiredness to ensure that it’s not a symptom of any illness. Additionally, you can avoid feeling age-related fatigue by maintaining an active lifestyle, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet.
Cancer
Cancer is a serious disease that takes a toll on your physical health. Therefore, it’s no surprise that cancer patients often experience chronic fatigue. Apart from the disease itself, the treatments are also quite taxing on the body since they may damage healthy cells and cause anaemia. Cancer patients also go through a lot of physical and emotional pain which can lead to insomnia. Cancer – Here Are Some Causes And Symptoms To Look Out For
Iron Deficiency
Iron is an essential nutrient in the body as it helps the red blood cells carry oxygen which in turn helps other organs function normally. Without ample oxygen supply in the body, you’ll experience a host of symptoms including fatigue and dizziness. On the other hand, too much iron or hemochromatosis may also cause chronic fatigue syndrome. Women are at a higher risk of suffering from iron deficiency due to heavy periods. People who are at risk of suffering from iron deficiency should add more iron-rich foods to their diet and consider taking iron supplements. Anaemia – Types, Symptoms, Causes, Management And Treatment
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Viral Infections
When your body is under attack from an infection, your body does all it can to ensure that you’re back to good health including shutting down many nonessential functions so that you can save your energy. Research also suggests the body causes the feeling of tiredness to make you limit your physical activity. This is why when you’re sick, you feel like lying in bed all day. Fatigue is especially common with viral infections such as the flu, HIV, COVID-19, and the common cold. When you fall sick for a prolonged period, it can lead to chronic fatigue. 6 Ways Of Dealing With Pandemic Fatigue
Mental Illnesses
Chronic fatigue can be a mental problem as it is a physical one. According to the CDC, over 80% of illnesses are stress-related. When you’re not in the right state of mind, you may feel worn out, unmotivated and sometimes, physically ill. This is because any time you think a thought, you’re producing chemicals in response to that thought. Therefore, negative thoughts will have a negative effect on your body.
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Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. They are considered related disorders. As they share common symptoms such as muscle aches, insomnia, and anxiety. While it’s not a life-threatening disease, it can make life unbearable if left untreated. You may feel that no matter how long you sleep, you never feel rested. This also affects you during the day making you feel always fatigued and hazy. The best way to counter the effect of fibromyalgia is to try to exercise more. Exercise will help you sleep better thus giving you a burst of energy.
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