Why Do I Feel Tired All The Time?
Nearly 30 percent of all doctor visits include a complaint about fatigue, which is not surprising — after all, it’s exhausting being exhausted all the time! Fatigue, defined as lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting, often results from multiple systems of the body, such as nutrition, digestion, and sleep, not functioning properly. Below, we dig a little deeper into the causes and symptoms of fatigue and chronic fatigue as well as treatment options.
Causes of Fatigue
A major cause of fatigue is not eating right. Remember that food is fuel. If you’re not fueling your body with the proper nutrients, you won’t have the energy needed to get through the day. Plus, poor nutrition can lead to insomnia and other sleeping issues, which will further increase your exhaustion.
Another common reason for extreme tiredness is weight issues. If you’re underweight or overweight, your body has to work harder to complete everyday tasks, causing you to feel tired more quickly.
Other possible causes include allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and lung disease. Fortunately, many of these causes are easily treated and managed.
What is Chronic Fatigue?
Chronic fatigue causes you to feel so tired that you can’t complete normal activities, making it difficult to function during daily life. Simple acts like cooking breakfast or walking your dog can make it worse. Unfortunately, sleep and rest don’t help.
The three core symptoms of chronic fatigue are:
Inability to do usual activities for six months or longer because of fatigue
Worsening of classic symptoms of being tired, like difficulty thinking, feeling dizzy, sore throat, and headaches — all of which often get worse when sitting or standing
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Although it has no known causes and is difficult to diagnose, the major symptoms of chronic fatigue can be treated.
Treatments for Fatigue
If you struggle with fatigue or chronic fatigue, take a look at your diet. Your body’s cells rely on macro-nutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates) and micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) to generate energy. If you have nutrient deficiencies in any of these areas, energy production will slow down, resulting in extreme tiredness. A poor-quality diet may also lead to digestive issues linked to altered intestinal bacteria and intestinal lining, which can cause fatigue to worsen.
If you need professional insight, The Kahm Clinic can help. To start, we use Metabolic Testing to determine if your eating habits are the cause of your fatigue. We can see how many calories your body is burning per day and how you are metabolizing fat, carbohydrates, and protein. We can also figure out an ideal weight for your body type and height. If food issues are at the root of your tiredness, we can develop an eating plan to help you feel energized and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you.
To talk to a professional about help or treatment for fatigue, please reach out to our staff or schedule an appointment at The Kahm Clinic.