Why Am I Always Tired? Common Causes of Chronic Fatigue 

Do you feel like you’re constantly tired, no matter how much rest you get? You might be suffering from chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is a condition that causes extreme tiredness and a lack of energy. It can make it difficult to do everyday tasks, and can often lead to depression and other health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss the common causes of chronic fatigue and how you can treat it.

What is Fatigue?

Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness that can be mild or extreme. It can refer to physical, emotional, or mental tiredness. Fatigue can make it difficult to do everyday tasks, and can often lead to health problems.

Understanding Chronic Fatigue

Hard work should leave you tired and ready to rest. However, chronic fatigue is slightly different from the feelings of tiredness that set in at the end of a long day. Fatigue is more of a general and pervasive lack of energy rather than the acute need for rest you experience after completing a challenge. Patients struggling with fatigue often lack the energy to even get started on tasks and projects. Simple tasks like moving around the office or taking care of children can leave them ready for a day-long nap.

Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic fatigue can vary from person to person, but most people experience extreme tiredness and a lack of energy. Other symptoms can include:

• Memory loss or mental fogginess
• Chronic pain in the joints or diffuse aching throughout the body
• Depression and anxiety
• Increased fatigue and pain during or after exertion
• A lack of restfulness regardless of the amount of sleep
• Headaches or migraines

Other characteristic symptoms include:

• Sleep that isn’t refreshing
• Difficulties with memory, focus and concentration
• Dizziness that worsens with moving from lying down or sitting to standing

Causes of Chronic Fatigue

The first step to treating chronic fatigue is understanding what is causing it. There are many different factors that can lead to constantly feeling tired.

Nearly any kind of major injury, illness, or infection can lead to fatigue. This lack of energy should go away as the underlying cause is eliminated. However, some forms of tiredness are chronic and must be managed with routine care. Your weakness and fatigue may be linked to:

• Infections like Lyme disease and AIDS/HIV
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Thyroid issues
• Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration
• Nutrient deficiencies like anemia
• Cold or flu
• Excessive work or stress combined with a lack of relaxation
• Heart problems
• Kidney disease
• Depression and other mental health conditions
• Abuse of over the counter, prescription, or illegal drugs

Once you understand the cause of your chronic fatigue, you can start to make changes to your lifestyle that will help you feel better.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your risk of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

• Age. Chronic fatigue syndrome can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects young to middle-aged adults.
• Sex. Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome much more often than men, but it may be that women are simply more likely to report their symptoms to a doctor.

Diagnosis

As fatigue can present a vast range of symptoms and be caused by many different factors working in combination, diagnosis can be difficult. Your doctor may diagnose fatigue using a number of tests including:

• Medical history – recent events such as childbirth, medication, surgery or bereavement may contribute to fatigue.
• Physical examination – to check for signs of illness or disease. Your doctor may also ask detailed questions about diet, lifestyle and life events.
• Tests – such as blood tests, urine tests, x-rays and other investigations. The idea is to rule out any physical causes, for example anemia, infection or hormonal problems.

Treating Chronic Fatigue

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating chronic fatigue, but at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center we’re here to help you find more energy with treatments like:

• Testing for food allergies or environmental sensitivities that can cause fatigue
• Supplementation and diet plans to fix nutrient deficiencies
• Exercises and stretching to release muscle tension and pain that drains your energy

If vigorous exercise or the stresses of work are making it hard for you to feel rested, consider seeking treatment even when your fatigue is temporary. A relaxing massage could restore your energy after an illness or period of depression wipes you out. Keep your life running smoothly and according to plan by tackling symptoms like chronic pain, insomnia, and fatigue as soon as they appear. Our medical team will provide help no matter the cause.

Contact Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you don’t remember a day that you felt truly rested and energetic, it’s time to call Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center. We’ll work with you to find the cause of your chronic fatigue and develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. You don’t have to suffer from debilitating tiredness any longer – our team of experts can help!