Why am I tired a lot? Another five reasons here

In our previous blog entry, we explained that we can all experience tiredness at times, which can obviously be relived by sleep or rest. Sometimes, this can be fatigue - this is when tiredness ca n feel overwhelming and is not relieved by sleep or rest.

Either way, it could be an actual health condition causing your symptoms. Let's look at a few more here:

Diabetes
This can be a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. There are two main types:

1. Type 1: where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
2. Type 2; where the body doe snot produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin

The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the Pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy. However, if you have diabetes, your body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there is either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin is not working properly.

Glandular Fever

Glandular Fever is a common viral infection that causes fatigue, along with fever, sore throat and swollen glands. Most commonly affecting teenagers and young adults, symptoms usually clear up within four to six weeks, but it is possible for the tiredness to linger for several months.

Depression

We can certainly see depression as a cause of tiredness, as we have experienced that first-hand. HYou can feel drained of all energy. It also causes severe sleep problems, that can leave you feeling tired all day.

Depression is a complex condition and its causes are not actually fully understood. However, various contributing factors can lead to depression. These include:

• biological factors - for example genetics, or experience of physical illness or injury
• psychological or social factors - for example childhood trauma, unemployment, brereavement or life-changing events
• long-term illness

Symptoms can vary in severity; from mild to moderate to severe depression. If you experience these for most of the day, or every day, for more than two weeks please seek help from your GP.

Restless Leg Syndrome

I speak from personal experience. I have had RLS for many years. It is a compulsion to move the legs, like a mini cramp, that can be frustrating and it feels like driving you mad.  It can obviously affect your sleep.

In the majority of cases there is no obvious cause. This is known as idiopathic or primary restless legs syndrome, and can run in families. Some neurologists believe the symptoms may have something to do with how the body handles the chemical Dopamine. This is involved in controlling movement in muscles.

Either way, there appears to be little people can do,. It is suggested that a good walk before bed, or doing an activity that involves stretching the leg muscles, can be effective.

Anxiety

Some people may say we have covered this with our entry on "depression", but in reality they are two very distinct individual entries.

Feeling anxious can be perfectly normal,. In fact, it would be strange if people were not nervous about upcoming events, or deadlines. It could even involve things that have happened, and possible repercussions.

Doctors call this Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It is a common condition, affecting slightly more women than men. As we as feeling worried and irritable, people often feel tired.

We need to find ways to handle anxiety and stress. We need to be able to relax and chill. It is something we can all learn, Yes, there are tablets people can take, but doing it naturally is better for our overall health.

HMHB says:

In the last two blog entries we have looked at ten medical reasons we could be feeling tired. Mental Health and Physical Health is vitally important in a healthy life. If you have concerns, see your GP.