Always Tired? Uncover the 11 Hidden Causes Behind Your Fatigue!

Even after a whole night’s sleep, do you wake up feeling worn out? You’re not alone. Many suffer from chronic fatigue, feeling exhausted before the day has begun. What if your fatigue stems from something more serious than a late-night binge-watching session or a few additional snooze-button presses?

Lack of sleep doesn’t solely cause fatigue; various physical, emotional, and behavioral issues frequently contribute to it. Stress, dehydration, poor diet, underlying medical problems, or even too much caffeine can all subtly decrease your energy levels. If you reach for coffee several times a day, have trouble concentrating, or feel sleepy even after resting, it’s time to identify the actual causes.

Let’s explore the most typical causes of your fatigue and, more crucially, how you can naturally replenish your energy. Prepare to feel renewed and in charge of your everyday schedule again!

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What is Fatigue?

Everyone experiences fatigue occasionally. However, weariness is the state of being extremely exhausted. It is difficult to get out of bed in the morning, go to work, do your daily activities, and get through the day when you are exhausted. An overpowering need to sleep is a symptom of fatigue, although you might not feel rejuvenated after resting or sleeping.

Many individuals mistakenly believe that fatigue syndrome is the same as everyday fatigue, but they must meet specific requirements to receive a chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis.

Causes of Fatigue?

Now that we have reviewed the basic definition of fatigue and its description, let’s focus on some causes of overwhelming fatigue.

1. Anemia

In the United States, anemia is the most prevalent blood disorder. Over 5.6% of Americans are impacted. Anemia is a predominant cause of fatigue in fertile women. It is particularly true for those with uterine polyps, uterine fibroid tumors, or heavy menstrual periods.

When you don’t have enough red blood cells, you have anemia. It can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, cancer or gastrointestinal (GI) issues like ulcers or hemorrhoids could cause it. Aspirin and ibuprofen are examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) that can cause bleeding and gastrointestinal problems. Iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 deficiency can also result from anemia. Anemia can also result from long-term conditions like diabetes or kidney failure.

Your doctor will do a blood test to confirm the anemia diagnosis.

2. Thyroid Diseases

A slow or underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism, could be the issue. The thyroid is the little gland at the base of your neck that resembles a butterfly. It helps determine the body’s metabolic rate or how quickly it uses energy.

The American Thyroid Foundation estimates that by the time they are 60 years old, 17% of all women will have a thyroid condition. Most won’t be aware of it either. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition, is the most frequent cause. Hashimoto prevents the gland from producing enough thyroid hormones to keep the body functioning correctly. Slow metabolism or hypothyroidism are the outcomes.

Blood tests called T3 and T4 can detect thyroid hormones.

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3. Lack of Sleep

Getting enough good sleep is essential to staying healthy. Your brain generates growth hormones to mend cells as you sleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society, adults should strive for a minimum of seven hours of sleep. While sleep is uninterrupted, the brain can proceed through the rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stages.

However, things like the sleeping environment, stress, or illness might interfere with your sleep, making you feel drowsy during the day and unable to wake up feeling refreshed.

Trouble falling and staying asleep can also cause insomnia. Speaking with a sleep specialist can reduce feelings of fatigue, enhance the quality of your sleep, and identify the source of your sleep problems.

4. Depression

Depression is a mental health issue that adversely affects one’s overall lifestyle, from how or what they eat to how many hours of sleep they get – it affects it all.

When you are suffering from depression, the darkness consuming your mind prevents you from eating healthy and leading a healthy life, which reflects in the form of overwhelming fatigue.

Some of the common symptoms of depression-induced fatigue include whacky sleeping patterns, lack of appetite, feelings of worthlessness, lack of enthusiasm and energy, and hampered memory.

5. Diabetes

In the United States, type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in both adults and children. Give your doctor a call and request a test if you exhibit signs of type 2 diabetes. Although receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be terrifying, type 2 diabetes is manageable.

In people suffering from diabetes, the excess accumulation of blood glucose becomes a problem for how the person generates energy. Without the proper fuel to charge the body, which is the energy one gets by the breakdown of the glucose molecules, the body lacks the optimum level of energy to function properly.

Some of the common symptoms of diabetes-induced fatigue include excessive tiredness, increased thirst, frequent urination, drastic weight loss, consistent hunger, and affected vision.

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6. Anxiety

Prolonged stress negatively impacts the structure and function of the brain, which can result in weariness, inflammation, or even stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED). While it might be difficult to avoid stressful events altogether, you can learn coping mechanisms to prevent exhaustion.

Meditation, regular exercise, and soothing baths are proven relaxation methods to reduce stress and exhaustion. Speaking with and getting advice from a therapist can also help you create a customized strategy for managing stress.

7. Unbalanced Diet

A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients is necessary for the body’s cellular metabolism. Muscle mass loss results from the breakdown of muscle and fat for energy with insufficient calories and nutrients. It’s crucial to remember that sugary foods and drinks raise blood sugar levels, interfere with sleep and may keep you up at night.

Make fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources like fish and eggs a priority to promote restful sleep and lessen weariness. They offer vital nutrients that are good for energy levels and sleep.

8. Cancer-Related Fatigue

Fatigue after receiving a cancer diagnosis is frequently a symptom of the illness or a side effect of some therapies. Fatigue associated with cancer is far worse than fatigue without the disease.

You may have weakness and be too exhausted to move around. Common malignancies like lung, colon, or breast cancer, as well as less common ones like brain and spinal cord cancers and blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, can all experience it.

Feeling extremely exhausted may be a sign of cancer if you have not received a diagnosis, but there are numerous other, more plausible reasons.

Read More: Are You Chronically Dehydrated? Hidden Signs You Need More Water

9. Being Overweight or Obese

In addition to disrupting sleep patterns and raising the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, being overweight can cause chronic exhaustion and daytime drowsiness. Fatigue from long-term illnesses, including depression and type 2 diabetes, is also linked to obesity. Ironically, poor sleep quality can also lead to obesity or weight gain.

Keeping a healthy weight can help avoid weariness by fostering better sleep and longer-lasting energy levels throughout the day.

10. Excessive Intake of Caffeine

Overindulging in coffee or other caffeinated drinks can disrupt your sleep pattern and raise your risk of insomnia, anxiety at night, nocturnal awakenings, and daytime drowsiness. Reduce your coffee intake and observe whether you sleep better and feel more rested.

Consuming too much coffee or other caffeinated beverages might interfere with your sleep cycles and increase your risk of having trouble falling asleep, anxiety at night, nocturnal awakenings, and daytime drowsiness. Reducing caffeine may help you sleep better and wake up feeling more rested.

11. Deficiencies in Some Nutrients

Among the most frequent reasons for inexplicable exhaustion are vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as those in B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium. Over 50% of people worldwide suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and 12.5% suffer from iron deficiency anemia.

Vitamin B12, essential for metabolism and oxygen transport, tends to be more challenging for people to absorb as they age. One of the most noticeable signs of these dietary deficits is fatigue.

If you suspect that vitamin shortages cause your exhaustion, blood tests can help identify this. Addressing these inadequacies through appropriate eating can help you regain a sense of well-being and increase energy.

Read More: Top 10 Bach Flower Remedies for Stress and Anxiety Relief

Conclusion

Constant fatigue is not a passing mood but your body’s warning sign. Fatigue has numerous hidden causes, ranging from stress and underlying medical issues to inadequate sleep and bad diet. The good news is that even minor, deliberate adjustments can result in a significant increase in energy.

Imagine feeling alert and energized when you wake up, able to tackle the day without the need for caffeine. Doesn’t that sound impossible? It isn’t! Start by prioritizing getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating nutritious meals, and efficiently handling stress.

One tiny step starts your path to a more revitalized existence. What will be the first modification you make today? Leave a comment below with your opinions!

• July 2018
  Written by Somapika D
• Feb 2025
  Edited by Ankita