Has tiredness become a constant and expected state for you?
Being tired all the time isn’t normal and there is usually a reason behind fatigue.
So instead of resigning yourself to always being tired, read on as we explore reasons for tiredness.
Lack of sleep
It may seem like an obvious place to start, but so many of us don’t practice a proper sleep routine that may help us achieve a restful night’s sleep.
Some tips to establish a healthy sleep routine are:
Eliminate screens before bed - avoid your phone and make your bedroom a screen-free zone.
Don't eat within two hours of going to bed to avoid acid reflux and too much energy.
Cut back on caffeine intake and try not to consume any after 3 pm.
Figure out how much sleep you need. Most adults need between 7.5 and 9 hours of sleep each night. So, try experimenting to see how much you need.
If you find it difficult to get to sleep at night, there are a few things you can try, such as:
Having a relaxing bath before bed
Reading
Meditating (find guided sleep meditations on Youtube or Spotify, or through apps such as Calm!)
Breathing techniques
Lack of physical activity
It may sound counterintuitive, but you need to spend energy to make energy. Aim to get in at least thirty minutes of exercise each day.
Poor diet
A balanced, nutritional diet is needed for optimal health, as is proper levels of hydration.
Our diet fuels us, and loading up on high-sugar carbs can cause us to experience crashes in our energy.
Aim to eat a variety of healthy foods that include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, lean meats and dairy.
If you are intolerant or allergic to any foods, speak with your doctor or a dietitian on how you may be able to replace the nutrients and vitamins with other foods or supplements.
Medical conditions
There are many medical conditions that can cause tiredness such as chronic fatigue syndrome.
If you suspect that a medical condition may be why you’re so tired, we urge you to see your doctor to discuss the possibility further.
Iron deficiency
An iron deficiency may be the culprit behind your tiredness. Many women, and even men, have issues with their levels of iron. Typically, women between the ages of 18-45 years old are more susceptible to low-iron. Pregnant women are particularly at risk of iron deficiency
Checking for an iron deficiency is easy - see your doctor and tell them your symptoms. After a discussion, your doctor may order a blood test to check your iron levels.
Treatments for iron deficiency
Your GP may recommend that you start taking iron supplements and including more iron-rich foods in your diet.
Or, an iron infusion may be a more suitable option depending on the amount of iron you have or your response to the supplements.
Iron infusions
Some people may experience adverse side effects to the iron supplements or may have severely low levels of iron. If this is the case, your GP may discuss an iron infusion with you.
An iron infusion quickly replenishes iron stores within the blood.
An iron infusion comes with both benefits and risk, and your doctor will discuss all with you so you can make an informed decision on whether the treatment is right for you.
To learn more about iron infusion, read our article iron infusions: what to expect.
Iron infusions at The Clinic
Here at The Clinic, we provide iron infusions. If you’d like to discuss an iron infusion with one of our doctors, please call us on 9741 1200 or book an appointment online.
This article is in no way an exhaustive list of reasons why you may be experiencing excessive tiredness. We recommend that you seek medical advice if you have any unexplained reasons behind tiredness and lack of energy.
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