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According to a YouGov poll taken in 2021, a staggering 13 percent of people in the UK say they feel tired “all the time”.
It’s such a common issue that it has its own acronym – TATT (tired all the time).
As part of the same poll, 25 percent of people said they were tired “most of the time”, while an additional 33 percent were tired “about half of the time”.
An obvious cause of fatigue is not getting enough sleep at night, with the NHS recommending between seven and nine hours each night for adults.
However, there can be other – more concerning – reasons behind tiredness.
Doctor Raja Mohan, from Rainbow Labs, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about some of the medical causes for fatigue.
Sleep apnoea
He said: “This condition causes you to stop breathing momentarily during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.”
Common signs of sleep apnoea while you sleep include:
- Breathing that stops and starts
- Making gasping, snorting or choking noises
- Waking up a lot
- Loud snoring.
In the day this can not only make you feel tired but cause mood swings and headaches.
Anaemia
“Anaemia is a condition where your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, which can cause fatigue and weakness,” he explained.
This can be caused by a number of things, but common causes include an iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.
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You might need to up your intake of either of these through diet or supplements.
A doctor can test your blood to see if you are low and help you work out the best way to treat it.
Thyroid problems
The thyroid gland is located in the neck just in front of the windpipe. Its main function is to produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism.
Dr Mohan said: “Both an overactive and underactive thyroid can cause fatigue and other symptoms.”
Other signs you could have a thyroid issue include:
- Being sensitive to cold or heat
- Weight gain or loss
- Depression and mood wings
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Infrequent periods.
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Chronic fatigue syndrome
“This is a complex disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest,” he said.
Depression
He commented: “Depression can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue and low energy levels.”
Diabetes
Dr Mohan added: “High blood sugar levels can cause fatigue, as well as other symptoms such as increased thirst and frequent urination.”
Other common signs of diabetes include:
- Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- Blurred vision.
However, tiredness could also be due to a number of lifestyle factors.
Dehydration
He warned: “Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration, which can cause fatigue and other symptoms.”
Poor diet
Dr Mohan said: “Eating a diet that is high in sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats can leave you feeling tired and sluggish.”
Lack of sleep
“Not getting enough quality sleep can leave you feeling tired and sluggish during the day,” he added.
If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue you should speak to your doctor.
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