Top Reasons Why We Feel Tired

A universal complaint by many adults is that they always feel tired for no reason whatsoever. For some people, this tiredness is constant, and in others it is intermittent. Millions of people consume caffeinated beverages to get over this feeling of fatigue and to be able to focus on their work. So what gives?

Surveys indicate that nearly ¾ of Americans complain of exhaustion at work for several days each week. In fact, even those people who work on computers all day complain of fatigue. Google search data indicates that a common phrase frequently searched is “why am I tired?”

Experts in medicine say fatigue has many causes and is not always due to poor sleep or late night movies. Some of the factors that can cause fatigue include the following:

1. Lack of sleep: Many people do not sleep the recommended 7-8 hours, and consequently the next day they feel exhausted. Sleep is essential as it allows the body to recover and repair. So if you are always tired, consider developing good sleep hygiene.
2. Sleep apnea: A very common cause of fatigue and sleepiness during the daytime is sleep apnea. During the night, sleep apnea is associated with snoring and episodes where respiration slows down. The cause is usually due to some type of blockage in the airways. While there are many remedies for sleep apnea, losing weight is the key. Devices like CPAP do work but are extremely uncomfortable, and compliance is low.
3. Anemia: Some people may have low iron levels which can lead to anemia. This results in less oxygen getting to the body tissues and fatigue is a very common complaint. The condition can be diagnosed by a simple blood test and treatment is to eat iron supplements and/or a diet that consists of vegetables, meat, and seafood.
4. Too much sugar: A common reason for fatigue is excessive consumption of sugar. This results in unwanted calories, which leads to weight gain and diabetes. High sugar levels decrease brain activity, and one often feels sleepy and tired after a meal. To avoid this, cut down on sugar in your diet.
5. Lack of exercise: A very common reason for fatigue is a sedentary lifestyle. Many people hardly do any exercise or walk, and this leads to weight gain and fatigue. It is thus important to have some form of physical activity in your life.  Start some type of exercise; even walking is an excellent form of physical activity. Walking refreshes the mind, allows you to enjoy nature, is free and you can lose weight and lower your blood pressure.

If fatigue persists, see a NYC healthcare provider to determine the cause.