If you are starting to feel unreasonably jealous of Sid the Sloth from Ice Age because of his 18-hour sleep schedule, you might be experiencing extreme fatigue for one of the following reasons.
Lack or excess of physical activity
Although it may seem counterintuitive that not expending energy on physical activity actually causes fatigue, this happens because of a process called “deconditioning.” When you do not move your body consistently, you can reverse that previously conditioned behavior and make it more difficult for yourself to do so.
To combat this, find at least 15 minutes a day to do a HIIT workout or a simple stretching routine. The way you treat your body can have a dramatic impact on the way you feel. You probably hear that all the time, but its importance cannot be overstated. Devote a tiny chunk of each day to yourself, and you really will thank yourself later.
On the flip side of that (and maybe more intuitively), if you are using a lot of mental or physical effort on the regular, it can be difficult to stay awake for extended periods of time.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a type of inflammation in the nose that is caused by exposure to allergens such as dust mites, mold, pollen, and pet dander. If you are around these triggers at night, they can be causing you poor sleep, which can lead to fatigue during the day.
To combat this, try an over-the-counter (OTC) histamine such as fexofenadine (Allegra) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or talk to your doctor if symptoms because extremely disruptive to your life.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
This syndrome is characterized by extreme fatigue, loss of memory or concentration, headaches, sore throat, and/or extreme exhaustion that lasts more than 24 hours after physical exercise. None of these symptoms are a result of an underlying medical condition, and none of them improve with rest.
If you think you have this condition, you should see a doctor.
Anemia
This is a condition in which oxygen does not get adequately get administered to all of your body’s tissues. It can make you feel weak, dizzy, and fatigued, and can cause chest pains and headaches.
There are a number of treatment options for this condition, including (but not limited to) taking supplements, changing your diet, and in some cases, undergoing medical procedures.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, can cause repeated awakenings during the night that can lead to daytime fatigue.
If you seek medical attention for this condition, your doctor might prescribe you a device called CPAP, a machine that keeps your airways open while you sleep. In some cases, your doctor will surgically remove tissue that is blocking your airway.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid can fail to produce enough thyroid hormone, thereby slowing the body’s metabolism down and making you feel extremely tired throughout the day.
Prescribed thyroid hormone replacement medication generally helps people alleviate these symptoms within 6 months of starting treatment.
Take care of your body
In order to identify these symptoms and their subtle differences, it can be extremely important to tune into your body. Make sure you are making at least a little bit of time for yourself every day to work out, eat right, and sleep well. These factors individually and in combination with one another have a very big impact on your energy levels and general well-being, so be sure to keep them in check.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-tired-is-too-tired#1
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-allergy-attack
https://www.verywellmind.com/why-am-i-always-tired-1067496
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490
