Experiencing fatigue during the day due to not getting enough sleep is a common occurrence that most busy individuals struggle with daily. Between maintaining a healthy work-life balance and juggling various commitments, it is easy for one to blame constant lethargy on a stressful lifestyle. However, there are plenty of reasons why you feel drained all the time.
If you have already been making remarkable lifestyle changes, such as going to bed earlier or engaging in physical exercise, but to no avail, it may be a tell-tale sign that you require professional help. Certain medical conditions can contribute to your sluggishness, but once treated, you will be able to perform at your best again. Learn about the health issues behind your exhaustion that you should keep an eye out for.
1. Anaemia
Anaemia, commonly referred to as an iron deficiency disorder, is one of the reasons for tiredness. The fatigue caused by anaemia stems from a lack of healthy red blood cells, which impedes oxygen transport throughout your body.
The science behind it is that your body does not have enough iron to create haemoglobin, a protein that helps to circulate oxygen in your system. With insufficient haemoglobin, less oxygen reaches your tissues and muscles, leading to decreased energy levels. Furthermore, your heart needs to make up for the inadequate amount of oxygen by pumping harder to deliver more oxygen-rich blood to your vital organs.
As your body struggles to function with low oxygen in the blood, you will experience side effects like weakness in your limbs, reduced concentration, and heart palpitations. In the long run, should your anaemia be left untreated, your heart can eventually be overworked and result in heart failure.
2. Depression
More than just “the blues”, clinical depression is a major mental condition resulting from traumatic life events that can drain your physical and mental health. In fact, without proper treatment, the reoccurring symptoms of depression can last for as long as years. Constantly feeling wiped out and down in the dumps are hallmarks of depression.
With depression, there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in your brain, bringing about irregular energy levels and sleep patterns. Additionally, most diagnosed patients grapple with insomnia, which makes it hard for them to doze off.
Aside from profound feelings of negativity, a lack of sleep and insufficient energy replenishment can also make it harder for you to climb out of bed and stay energetic during the day.
3. Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a grave sleeping disorder whereby your tongue muscles, soft palate, or certain parts of your throat relax and obstruct your airway during your sleep. Without the smooth flow of oxygen through your system, you experience episodes in which you stop breathing in your slumber.
This causes you to wake up repeatedly throughout the night when you gasp for air. The multiple awakenings associated with sleep apnea make uninterrupted, restorative sleep impossible, causing excessive daytime sleepiness to occur.
Should you find yourself experiencing sleep apnea, you may notice that you tend to snore loudly during your sleep or remain overwhelmed with fatigue even after a good night’s rest.
Before further complications, such as high blood pressure or heart problems, start to develop, you should immediately see a doctor online for professional advice and treatment.
4. Diabetes
Research has shown that patients diagnosed with diabetes often complain of feeling tired all the time. When you have diabetes, your body cannot produce enough insulin, which affects your body’s overall energy levels.
Insulin is essential in transporting glucose from your blood into your cells and provides your body with energy. However, suppose you have an insufficient level of insulin due to diabetes. In that case, your immune system will have imbalanced blood glucose levels, and your cells do not receive the right amount of energy they require to function well.
Beyond fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and headaches are all contributing factors to diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can quickly bring about other severe complications like heart attacks and strokes.
Conclusion
Unrelenting exhaustion that does not seem to improve even with significant lifestyle changes and extra rest may signify that you have underlying medical issues. If you suspect that there may be more to your sluggishness than meets the eye, take a proactive approach by promptly addressing your concerns to a trusted healthcare provider.
You can reach professional medical aid with the help of MyCLNQ, the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore. As a one-stop telehealth in Singapore, the MyCLNQ app offers a diverse range of digital healthcare services at the comfort of your home.
From booking digital appointments to arranging for private ambulance services, medical assistance has never been more accessible.