Do you have trouble sleeping at night, or find yourself frequently tired even after a good night’s sleep? If so, you may be suffering from chronic fatigue. Though chronic fatigue is typically blamed on the modern American lifestyle, a lot of other factors can contribute to chronic fatigue as well. Treatments for chronic fatigue can help alleviate issues like insomnia, but it helps to have a better understanding of the reason why you are feeling so tired.
Here are five common culprits of chronic fatigue.
Vitamin Deficiency – You may experience symptoms of chronic fatigue due to deficiencies in essential vitamins and nutrients like potassium. Deficiency in potassium contributes to general feelings of muscle tiredness and fatigue. Potassium helps synthesize protein and metabolize glucose and glycogen—prime energy sources for your body. If your potassium levels are low, you might be left feeling tired, achy and generally fatigued.
Anemia – Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. This can be caused by a number of deficiencies, the most common being iron. Iron deficiencies are easily treatable with simple dietary and lifestyle changes.
Thyroid Conditions – If you suffer from an underactive thyroid (hypothryroidism), you may also battle symptoms of chronic fatigue. Blood tests can easily determine if your thyroid-stimulating hormones are imbalanced, leaving you feeling excessively tired.
Depression – Oftentimes, chronic fatigue is a side-effect of depression. According to a study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, people who are depressed are more than four times as likely to develop unexplained fatigue while those who suffer from fatigue are almost three times as likely to develop depression.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Chronic fatigue can also be caused by common sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea will stop breathing for brief periods as they sleep, often leading them to choke or cough as they catch their breath. The lack of oxygen prevents you from falling into a deep sound sleep, which could leave you feeling restless and tired in the morning. To determine if such a disorder is the root cause of your chronic fatigue, your wellness doctor may advise undergoing a sleep test.
In order to properly treat chronic fatigue, the root cause of your condition must be identified. While the above causes are only several possible causes for chronic fatigue, causes will ultimately vary person to person. If you think you might be suffering from chronic fatigue, don’t hesitate to speak with the medical staff at Waller Wellness Center to further identify what might be causing your tiredness.
