Doctor Explains possible Symptoms, Causes and Solutions
The Problem
Accounting for almost 1.5% of all presentations to the family doctor, the feeling of being tired all the time is certainly very common. Fatigue or tiredness can be defined as having low energy, loss of ambition and motivation or even feeling drained and sleepy despite a full night’s sleep.
The Red Flags
If you present to the doctor with tiredness, there are certain symptoms that we simply do not wish to miss as they can be a reflection of a more sinister underlying cause. These include:
- bleeding that is unusual. This could be in a menopausal lady who shouldn’t be having bleeding. A menstruating lady with very heavy periods. Or any person with bleeding from the back passage or vomiting blood as a few examples.
- having a low iron without an obvious cause. Having low iron may be due to dietary factors, however it may also be a reason to further investigate if there are any sources of bleeding as mentioned above.
- recent weight loss that is unintentional. If you are heading to the gym every day and have lost weight as a result then good for you. However, if you have found yourself loosing weight without exercising or following a diet, this is certainly something that we as doctors need to know about.
- suffering fevers, very often this may lead to an underlying diagnosis of infection which can cause fatigue.
- being an older person with a new onset of fatigue, in some circumstances this can be an indicator for something more sinister depending on the duration.
It is therefore important that if you yourself are suffering from any of these symptoms that you seek the advice and help of your local medical practitioner. Take a think about how long you’ve been suffering these symptoms for, how your appetite is and what your weight has been doing.
The Reasons
Common Things are Common
There are many reasons why you may be feeling tired or fatigued. Following a viral infection can be a common cause. We know that after an acute illness it takes the body time to heal and throughout this we may be feeling tired.
Other causes for fatigue include feeling stressed or anxious, this can not only affect our ability to perform our daily tasks but can also affect our sleeping patterns. We may find it hard to fall asleep or obtain a deep sleep.
Other mood disturbances such as depression can also contribute to tiredness. This may be something that you may not be aware of but it’s worthwhile considering if this could be a factor that is not in your conscious mind. Mood disturbances are best managed through your medical doctor who may offer referral to psychological therapies or medication to name a few options.
Serious Reasons are to be Taken Seriously
As doctors we certainly don’t want to miss any common causes of tiredness but it is also important not to overlook any other pathological causes. The biggest diagnosis that we never want to miss is cancer or malignancy. Having an underlying diagnosis can certainly contribute to feelings of fatigue or tiredness. It is important that your doctor checks through any red flag symptoms. Other sinister causes that require immediate treatment include bacterial infections that may be causing sepsis or blood infection. Due to the toll taken on the body from a bacterial infection, this can also be a possible diagnosis. Other reasons may include immunodeficiency disorders such as HIV.
Other common causes of tiredness include anaemias. This could be due to an iron deficiency, which, as mentioned earlier, may be seen in patients with unusual or heavy bleeding. Very often a person with an iron deficiency may feel tired, short of breath, be suffering palpitations or even thinning of hair. In addition, vitamin deficiencies can also cause tiredness, such as a B12 or Vitamin D deficiency. It is vital that you are tested for such deficiencies prior to taking any supplements.
Some Pitfalls
Very often there will be cases where the cause of tiredness is not immediately obvious. I recall a time where I was presented with a 6 year old child who’s mother had sent her to several doctors complaining of her daughter’s constant fatigue. On review of the history, examination and investigations it was clear that she had coeliac disease, which if not managed, can lead to a number of symptoms including tiredness. Once the diagnosis was made, the child avoided gluten and her symptoms settled.
Other common pitfalls are metabolic disturbances. This could be issues with the Thyroid gland, a gland at the front side of the neck which is responsible for many bodily functions including metabolism. This, if under-active can cause symptoms of fatigue. Similarly, if diabetes is undiagnosed and untreated tiredness can also be a common symptom. In women, it’s easy to miss pregnancies at an early gestation which can cause fatigue.
What Can Be Done
See your doctor. I cannot emphasis this enough. They are there to help you along your health journey. When you speak with your doctor they will take the time to listen to your story, perform examinations and investigations as appropriate and help you with your diagnosis and offer you appropriate treatments.
There are also factors that you can do to improve your own health. These include lifestyle factors such as exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, drinking in moderation and avoiding smoking.
Remember, if there’s any concern what so ever, book in and see you local doctor today.
I hope that you have found this article helpful.
Take care and stay healthy,
Dr Nora x
Please note that the contents of this article are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical condition.
