Tired all the time? Here’s why

Do you feel that you are not energetic as you were earlier? Do you feel tired, exhausted and sleepy all the time? Even after sleeping do you feel that you have not slept at all? If so, than you are suffering from “Tired all the Time” syndrome. The reasons for tiredness are over exertion, stress, strain and also nutritional deficiency.

Nutritional Deficiency: Due to less intake of the balanced diet because of poor economic status.

Over Exertion: Due to work and excess of responsibilities, one experiences too much stress. It has been found that married couples are working too hard to meet their family requirements, children study excessively or extra hours to beat the competition and also elderly couples who lack support of their children are found to be under excessive stress.

Thyroid Problems (Hypothyroidism): One of the most common causes of feeling tired all the time that goes undiagnosed is hypothyroidism. Nearly 30 per cent of the population has it but is unaware.

Adrenal Fatigue: This is also one of the most common underlying causes of feeling tired all the time! If you don’t get enough sleep and experience stress regularly, you could have adrenal fatigue.

Insomnia: Not getting good sleep.

Anemia: Lack of iron is not a common factor for low energy but must be checked to rule it out.

Lack of movement/circulation/exercise: When you don’t get enough exercise — it doesn’t have to be high intensity workouts — your blood doesn’t circulate and can cause fatigue.

Low magnesium: Recently, it was said that the primary cause of feeling tired all the time these days is low magnesium.

Dehydration: Too often, we do not drink enough water or hydrating drinks. Drinking soda and other sugar laden and chemically processed drinks can also cause dehydration.

Low Vitamin B12: If you’re deficient in vitamin B12 you can experience fatigue, restless legs, and other symptoms like forgetfulness.

People with TTT require to be evaluated properly. General physicians need to opt for a systematic approach focusing on physical, psychological and social issues to understand the true aetiology of the problem.

Psychological stress is a common factor for TTT. Dr Sandeep Ghanta, consultant physician at Citizens Hospital explained, “People should be evaluated for concurrent depression, pain and sleep disturbances. Treatment options include cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy both of which have shown to improve the fatigue levels, social adjustment, anxiety and post-exertional malaise. No pharmacological or complementary therapy has been proven to be effective.”

Diabetes, food intolerance and sleep disorders are found to be some of the major reasons for TTT. Diabetes causes tiredness due to high sugar levels in the body which leads to excessive urination, thirst and eating. Dr Hari Charan G., senior general physician at Sunshine Hospitals says, “Food intolerance causes tiredness secondary to nutritional deficiency and may lead to acidity, abdominal discomfort and Irritable Bowel Syndrome which further leads to less intake of food thereby causing severe tiredness.” In some cases, alcohol and smoking has also been a factor causing tiredness. In such patients, sleep patterns are also affected.

Long-term emotional support will be required by patients.

Rest and gentle exercise is a must.

Music and playing new games are found to relieve stress in people with TTT syndrome.