Tiredness

Tiredness can happen to anyone. Tiredness in itself is a symptom best described as:

• Feeling sleepy all the time.
• Not having enough energy to perform routine activities.
• Not feeling refreshed even after taking ample rest.
• A lack of motivation or enthusiasm for day-to-day activities.
• Feeling drained or low on energy after performing simple tasks.

Tiredness may also be associated with other symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Mood swings and irritability
• Breathlessness
• Muscle weakness and muscle aches

There could be a number of causes that can lead to tiredness. These are broadly classified as follows:

Lifestyle Factors

• Being jet-lagged
• Alcoholism and chronic smoking
• Drug abuse
• Excess caffeine consumption
• Increased workload
• Heavy exercise
• Poor diet and malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Rotating work shifts
• Obesity

Psychological Factors

• Anxiety disorder or stress
• Chronic depression
• Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa
• Increased stress due to circumstances like the loss of a loved one, unemployment, etc.

Health Conditions

• Anemia
• Pregnancy
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cancer and chemotherapy
• Fever and infections
• Sleep apnea syndrome
• Heart diseases like ischemic heart disease, heart failure
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Certain medications

• Have a poor lifestyle
• Suffer from health disorders such as anemia
• Are a woman
• Are above 60 years of age

Furthermore, the National Institute on Aging lists the following lifestyle habits that can lead to tiredness and fatigue:

• Staying up too late
• Having too much caffeine
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Eating junk food

When tiredness becomes chronic and starts interfering with day-to-day activities significantly, it is essential to establish a cause for chronic tiredness or fatigue so that it may be appropriately treated. The doctor may ask detailed questions about your lifestyle, history of sleep, and try to identify whether tiredness is due to lifestyle or psychological factors.

Along with a detailed history and physical examination, the following tests may be essential to determine if the tiredness is due to any underlying physical disorder:

• Complete hemogram and serum electrolyte to screen for overall health, presence of parasitic infections, electrolyte imbalance, etc.
• Urine routine and microscopy to check for latent urinary tract infections.
• Glucose - fasting blood and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) to evaluate diabetes mellitus.
• Thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate hypothyroidism.
• Liver function test and kidney function test to check the metabolic health of the body.
• Iron studies in cases of suspected anemia.
• ECG and lipid profile to check cardiac health.
• PET CT in cases of suspected malignancy.

Further testing or imaging studies may be essential if a diagnosis cannot be made on these preliminary tests.

Most of the time, tiredness can be prevented by making changes in lifestyle and habits. While it is not possible to completely prevent tiredness arising out of health conditions, lifestyle changes may help in reducing the intensity of the symptoms.

Following lifestyle modifications can help prevent tiredness:

• Take a wholesome diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Cut back on processed foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially during the summer season.
• Establish a sound sleep schedule. Do not sleep during the day.
• Cut down on caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages.
• Quit smoking.
• Exercise daily, but do not over-exercise. Meditation or yoga can also help.

In most cases, the treatment of tiredness is aimed at improving the diet and lifestyle of the patient. This includes:

• Eating a diet rich in nutrients
• Ensuring 8 hours of sleep
• Exercising to stay active
• Maintaining overall physical and mental well-being

In some cases, psychological therapy may be required to improve symptoms if there is an underlying mental health issue. After evaluation, the doctor may recommend weekly or fortnightly charts to assess improvement in symptoms and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.

If these interventions fail to improve the condition, a combination of lifestyle changes, diet modifications, and medications is recommended. Medications are usually necessary to treat the health condition that may be causing the symptoms of tiredness.

Possible treatments include:

• Supplements like Vitamin C and folic acid for the treatment of anemia
• Analgesics like ibuprofen and diclofenac, along with joint care medications to treat arthritis
• Antibiotics to treat infections and paracetamol formulations to help relieve fever
• Oral hypoglycemic drugs like metformin, glimepiride, repaglinide, sitagliptin, or insulin preparations like lispro and glargine to treat diabetes mellitus
• Beta-blockers, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers for heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease and heart failure
• Thyroxine preparations for individuals with hypothyroidism
• Anti-anxiety medications like fluoxetine and venlafaxine for anxiety

If you are constantly tired, it is important to identify what is causing your tiredness so that the cause may be addressed and treated accordingly. There are certain things you can do at home that may help combat tiredness:

• Consume a wholesome and balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids, such as coconut water and buttermilk, throughout the day.
• Avoid engaging in strenuous activities that may worsen your fatigue, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
• Refrain from daytime naps; it is better to get 8 hours of sound sleep at night instead of catching up on sleep in bits and pieces.
• Reduce excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks, especially in the evening, and limit alcohol intake.
• Quit smoking and the use of recreational drugs.

Tiredness may worsen and become so severe that it becomes difficult for the person to get up from bed to perform activities such as grooming or visiting the bathroom. The individual may become bedridden and completely dependent on caregivers.

Along with medical treatment for underlying health conditions, some alternative therapies can also help in overcoming the feeling of tiredness:

• Diet and Energy Drinks: Consuming a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and maintaining good hydration are excellent ways of providing energy to your body. Although coffee or other caffeinated drinks may boost energy levels in the morning, they must be consumed in moderation and not later in the day as they may interfere with the sleep schedule.
• Meditation: Meditation can help channel and conserve the body’s energy. It may also help overcome fatigue and boost energy levels.
• Massage: Gentle body massage has been known to promote relaxation and improve blood flow to various parts of the body. This may help rejuvenate the body and boost energy levels.
• Psychotherapy: Counseling and psychotherapy can help when the feelings of tiredness arise from psychological conditions rather than physical disorders. Overcoming anxiety and depression may be the key to resolving the symptoms of tiredness and fatigue.
• Exercise and Yoga: Light exercises and yoga help boost the body's energy levels and are a great way of combating tiredness. However, care must be taken not to overdo the physical activities as it may lead to overexertion.
• Ayurveda: Certain ayurvedic herbs like Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Licorice may be useful in overcoming tiredness.
• Homeopathy: Homeopathic preparations like Cadmium Sulphuricum, Phosphorus, Lycopodium Clavatum, Nux Vomica, and Calcarea Phosphorica have been found to be useful in combating fatigue due to cancer.

Yoga has been practiced for ages and offers several benefits to the body beyond improving flexibility and posture. Here are a few yoga asanas that will help you fight fatigue and keep you refreshed.

Living with chronic tiredness and fatigue can be challenging and can hamper the quality of life of the patient. Simple day-to-day activities, such as grocery shopping or going to work, as well as household tasks like cooking and cleaning, may drain the patient's energy and leave them exhausted.

A tired individual may not get sound sleep at night, as they may take frequent naps throughout the day. A lack of a good night’s sleep can cause weariness, forcing one to nap again during the day. This leads to a vicious cycle, leaving the person even more fatigued. Certain health conditions that cause tiredness may also have other problematic symptoms that contribute to a poor quality of life.

Due to our fast-paced lifestyles and hectic schedules, we often find ourselves excessively tired throughout the day. Most of the time, excessive fatigue is a result of:

• Lack of exercise
• Inadequate diet
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Lack of sleep

Here are some simple and effective ways to fight fatigue.