12 Common Causes of Fatigue That You Should Know About - By: Keith Frame

Feeling tired all the time is something that many people contend with on a daily basis. When it becomes a constant battle, it is referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome. This type of exhaustion can wreak havoc in your life and prevent you from enjoying a quality lifestyle.

What are the causes of fatigue? There are several factors that may be involved. It can be due to lifestyle or an underlying medical condition or a combination of both. You first need to look at your lifestyle and see what you may or may not be doing that could be causing you fatigue.

Sleep: Not getting enough sleep is an often overlooked cause of fatigue. In fact, the Mayo Clinic has stated that getting one hour less of sleep than your body requires can create a feeling of sleepiness throughout the day. Our lifestyles often make people sacrifice sleep but this shouldn't happen. You need to determine just how much sleep your individual body requires. Make a point of trying to get quality, consistent sleep on a nightly basis. Many women going through menopause will also feel tired. This may stem from a thyroid imbalance which can occur during menopause.

Poor Diet: Consistently eating a low quality diet will cause you to feel fatigue. Avoid processed foods and focus more on whole fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating smaller, healthy meals instead of larger ones can reduce fatigue. Additionally limit your intake of alcohol or caffeinated beverages as these will deplete your energy and lead to fatigue.

Lack of Physical Activity: Not getting enough exercise or movement on a regular basis can also create fatigue. Sometimes it is hard to incorporate exercise into your day but it is quite important to maintaining good health and energy. There are simple exercise routines you can follow that require only 20 minutes daily. You can try light aerobics, walking or using a treadmill. These exercises will all help your body to fight the fatigue factor.

Stress: We all face stress. But if it is robbing you of energy you need to take a good look at how to lower your stress levels. Sometimes it can be as easy as making a little time for yourself each day. Spend a few quiet minutes in the morning and at night, relaxing and meditating on what you are happy about in your life. This focus on the positive can become a very powerful habit. Over time you should feel less stress as you gain more control over your emotions. If there are serious stressful issues you are contending with don't be afraid to seek out counseling or ask friends and family for help to get you through a difficult time. Exercise and healthy eating will also help you to deal with stress better.

Determine if lifestyle is the cause: Work on correcting the areas just discussed. After a few weeks of doing so your energy should improve. If still feeling very fatigued it may be symptomatic of an underlying issue.

Medical causes: It is very important to have a though medical examination if you have fatigue on a regular basis. There could be several underlying health conditions that may be creating this symptom.

Diabetes: This disease can cause fatigue. Your doctor can do a blood test to see if you are diabetic and if this is the cause of feeling tired. If you are diabetic you may also experience increased thirst and urination.

Anemia: Anemia could be a symptom of numerous underlying medical conditions. A hallmark characteristic is extreme fatigue. This is due to the insufficient transport of oxygen caused by this condition.

Depression: Feeling sad for a period of time can become a form of depression. Being depressed also makes a person change their eating habits, sleeping patterns and exhibit a general lack of interest in life. All of this combined can zap a person of energy and lead to fatigue.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Also known as "CFS", this is a medical condition that is often misdiagnosed as very little is currently understood about the cause. Fatigue, poor concentration and muscle aches are classic symptoms.

Sleep Disorders: There are a variety of sleep disorders that could also be responsible for fatigue. One type is known as sleep apnea. This condition can be very debilitating as it often wakes a person up frequently throughout the night.

Thyroid Condition: Both an overactive or underactive thyroid can result in fatigue.

Clearly there can be numerous causes for why a person feels fatigued. If you are serious about wanting to improve your energy you need to look at your lifestyle choices and see if they play a factor in why you are feeling tired all the time. As with any medical condition, fatigue can be a symptom of something more serious. Always consult with a medical professional if you are feeling very tired. It is very important to always consult with your medical doctor before undertaking any changes in your diet or lifestyle, particularly if you are currently taking prescription medications or have been diagnosed with any disease. Low energy levels could be symptomatic of an underlying medical condition.

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