Everyone feels tired after an exhausting day at work or trek. It’s absolutely normal. Demanding work environments, stress from personal relationships, strain from balancing all aspects of life and patchy sleep due to anxiety can lead to physical and mental fatigue. If you are into health and fitness, engaging in a high-intensity workout can also contribute to exhaustion which becomes pronounced as the day draws to an end. While tiredness caused by these factors is usually nothing to worry about and can be reversed with some lifestyle changes, feeling tired 24*7, even after 7-8 hours of sound sleep, can be worrying and merits your attention. Such feelings of tiredness are indicators of more serious underlying health conditions which may need immediate medical intervention.

In this article, let us explore 8 common health conditions that could be causing perpetual fatigue in you.

Health condition no.1: Anaemia

Anaemia is a common deficiency disorder, more prevalent amongst Indian women. According to the National Family Health Survey, approximately 55% of women in India suffer from anaemia or iron deficiency. Anaemia is a condition in which the blood lacks a sufficient quantity of healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin. Red blood cells are very important because they are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to various tissues and cells in the body. This lack of healthy RBCs and low haemoglobin contributes to symptoms such as shortness of breath, suddenly aggravated heartbeat, difficulty concentrating and constant tiredness. Sometimes, persistent exhaustion is the first sign of anaemia. 

Pre-existing conditions like kidney disorder, arthritis, internal bleeding and blood loss can cause anaemia. Iron and vitamin B12 deficiency leading to anaemia can affect children, men and women. Getting a blood test done is the best way to evaluate your situation. Consuming prescribed supplements and foods like dark leafy green vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, raisins, beans and apricots can help manage iron deficiency.

At times a person with diabetes will describe himself as feeling tired, lethargic or fatigued. It could be a result of stress, hard work or a lack of a decent night’s sleep but it could also be related to having too high or too low blood glucose levels.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Health condition no. 2: Overall nutrient deficiency

Sometimes an improper diet lacking in essential nutrients can cause several health issues, including chronic fatigue. As per studies, deficiency in nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin C, folate, niacin, iron, riboflavin and pyridoxine are linked to fatigue. The best way to tackle this is to consult a doctor and a dietician who may prescribe you certain food groups or health supplements to incorporate into your daily diet and improve your nutrient deficiency. Once your nutrient levels normalise, you can expect an improvement in your energy and mood.

Depression is another major cause if weakness.Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom in major depressive disorder, occurring in over 90% of patients. Clinical presentations of fatigue within major depressive disorder encompass overlapping physical, cognitive and emotional aspects.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Health condition no. 3: Thyroid problems

Thyroid imbalance, wherein the thyroid gland releases excess or lesser hormones, can cause weakness and fatigue. The thyroid gland is positioned at the front of an individual’s neck and its dysfunction is responsible for a number of health conditions (in women mostly), which are not just limited to weight changes. These include conditions like tiredness, weakness, irregular periods, mood swings, hair fall, constipation or diarrhoea, weight changes and rapid heartbeat.

A thyroid function test can help bring about clarity behind your tiredness and the right intake of medications can help remedy your situation to a great extent.

Health condition no. 4: Underlying infection

Sometimes an underlying or undetected infection within the body could be depleting your energy which in turn makes you feel tired all the time. This internal fight may not be visible to the naked eye and symptoms can sometimes be minimal aside from extreme fatigue. Weakness confused with otherwise daily strain from lifestyle activities, if continued for months, need expert supervision. 

A complete blood count (CBC) test can point out various health conditions like infection, anaemia or even cancer. The CBC test counts whether there has been a loss or increase in the number of cells in the body. Your doctor may further advise specific tests needed for the diagnosis.

Health condition no. 5: Diabetes

When the body fails to utilise sugar (glucose) correctly, it gets stored within the blood, leading to a build-up. Blood glucose cannot be used efficiently by the body to produce energy in diabetes. This causes symptoms like constant thirst, fatigue, weight loss, sudden pangs of hunger, yeast infections, blurry vision, irritation and constant urge to urinate. Blood sugar tests can help your doctor diagnose diabetes. Such tests also help shed light on the reason behind your tiredness.

Health condition no. 6: Kidney disorder

The kidneys carry out the task of purifying your system by removing all impurities and toxins from your body. When the job is not done well, it can cause painful urination, constant urges to urinate, high blood pressure and, last and most importantly, fatigue.

Doctors recommend tests to evaluate issues with the kidneys and these involve urine and blood sample collection. This group of tests is called the ‘Kidney Function Test’ and includes parameters like blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. A high level in either of the two parameters is a sign that the kidney is not functioning right.

Health condition no. 7: Liver disorder

A common symptom reported by patients with liver disorders is chronic fatigue. This is linked to alterations in neurotransmission, which is due to a mismatch of signals interchanged between the brain and the diseased liver.

Alanine transaminase (ALT), albumin, bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are some common tests prescribed by doctors to evaluate enzymes generated by the liver when it has become damaged. If a liver disorder is left unaddressed medically, it can cause a condition like jaundice or even be life-threatening. 

Want to check how healthy your liver is click here

Health condition no. 8: Electrolyte deficiency

We often come across advertisements about electrolyte deficiency during summertime. This deficiency is a common cause of tiredness. But electrolyte deficiency is not just a seasonal problem. Some people suffer from a lack of sodium, potassium and chloride (electrolytes) within their body which can cause exhaustion irrespective of the season. Electrolytes help the muscles and nerves to function healthily and when there is a shortage, it causes fatigue. Blood tests, along with consuming coconut water daily, are some ways you can detect and manage your electrolyte deficiency.

Also Read: Felty Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Research-Backed Treatment Options

Conclusion:

From the article, we can understand that tiredness is not as uncomplicated as it may seem. A physical condition as harmless as the constant wish to sleep or rest can be a preliminary sign of an illness. Exhaustion is often one of the earliest symptoms and if action is taken promptly, it helps with a speedy recovery. To address chronic fatigue, consult a doctor and follow up with diagnostic tests and medications to properly manage your condition.

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