Tiredness and Fatigue

 

 Why am I tired all the time? We all feel tired from time to time. Usually, it's obvious why we are tired. We take the time to rest and get over it quickly.

But tiredness can be a serious problem if:

• there is no obvious reason for it
• it goes on for a long time
• it is so bad that you can't do anything at all.

This sort of tiredness can stop us from enjoying and getting on with our lives.

“There’s more chance of a medical reason for tiredness if there are other symptoms as well, such as heavy periods, weight loss, a change in bowel habits, hair loss, extreme thirst and so on.”

If you want to work out how you became tired in the first place, it can help to think about:

• parts of your life, such as work and family, that might be particularly tiring
• any events that may have triggered your tiredness, for instance, a bereavement or relationship break-up
• how your lifestyle may be making you tired.

  

Physical causes of tiredness

There are lots of health complaints that can make you feel tired. Not just the well-recognised ones like anaemia and thyroid problems, but also more surprising ailments, such as diabetes and food intolerance.
Read more about the medical causes of tiredness.
Being overweight or underweight can cause tiredness. That’s because your body has to work harder than normal to do everyday activities. If you’re underweight, you have less muscle strength, and you may feel tired more quickly.
Pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks, can also sap your energy.