I’m a GP – here’s why you feel tired all the time even when you get enough sleep
WHETHER it's due to the heat or the fact their brain won't stop whirring at night, many Brits can pin their tiredness to a lack of sleep.
But for those regularly getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep, constant sleepiness can't be explained away so easily.
According to Dr Raja Mohan, there can be more concerning underlying issues that are making you feel tired all the time.
Speaking to the Express, the co-founder and CEO of Rainbow Diagnostics, outlined the possible medical reasons behind your drowsiness.
1. You're dehydrated
You might be asking yourself what the amount of water you drink throughout the day has to do with your tiredness.
But Dr Mohan said dehydration could be the sneaky culprit behind your symptoms, as it can cause fatigue.
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It's easy to become dehydrated during hot weather, with medics issuing warnings on signs of dehydration to watch out for - especially in kids.
The NHS recommends you aim to drink six to eight cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
2. You're eating poorly
Continuing on the theme of what you're putting in your body, a poor diet could be the reason you just can't shake off sleep throughout the day.
According to the doctor, eating food that's processed and high in sugar or unhealthy fast could be leaving you sluggish and without energy.
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While you do need fats in your diet, health advice points to avoiding food high in saturated fats.
These include:
- fatty cuts of meat and sausages
- butter, ghee, and lard
- hard cheese like cheddar
- cream, soured cream and ice cream
- biscuits, cakes, and pastries
- palm oil
- coconut oil and coconut cream
It comes as a growing body of evidence has suggested that ultra-processed food could increase your risk of developing serious illnesses and early death.
3. You're anaemic
According to Dr Mohan: “Anaemia is a condition where your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, which can cause fatigue and weakness."
A lack of iron is a common cause of anaemia, as is a deficiency in vitamin B12 or B9.
Upping your intake of these substances through diet or supplements could be a way to chip away at your tiredness, but you should speak to a doctor first to get a diagnosis and recommendations.
They'll be able to test your blood to check for any deficiencies and give you advice on how to treat them.
4. Sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep.
You'll know you have it if you make gasping or choking noises at night, wake up a lot a snore loudly - ask your partner to check for these symptoms.
The condition can cause you to feel very tired throughout the day and have problems with concentration or mood swings.
It's important you get sleep apnoea treated because it can lead to more serious health issues.
5. Thyroid problems
The thyroid, a tiny butterfly-shaped gland in front of the windpipe whose job is to produce two hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — that help to regulate things such as your heart rate, body temperature and metabolism.
Dr Mohan said: “Both an overactive and underactive thyroid can cause fatigue and other symptoms.”
Signs you could have a thyroid issue include:
- Being sensitive to cold or heat
- Weight gain or loss
- Depression and mood swings
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Infrequent periods
6. Diabetes
"High blood sugar levels can cause fatigue, as well as other symptoms such as increased thirst and frequent urination," Dr Mohan added.
According to the NHS, the most common signs of diabetes are:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision
7. Depression
Depression can make you feel persistently sad or down for weeks or months on end and it can also have physical symptoms, which can include feeling tired all the time.
Getting poor sleep, losing your sex drive, losing your appetite, and feeling aches and pains are some additional things you could feel if you're depressed.
How to get help if you're depressed
NHS talking therapies can help if you’re struggling to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression.
Your GP can refer you or, in England, you can refer yourself online via nhs.uk/talk.
If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, NHS urgent mental health helplines offer 24-hour advice and support for people of all ages.
Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline via nhs.uk/urgentmentalhealth (England only).
The charity Mind also provides support to those that need it. Call 0300 123 3393.
If someone’s life is at risk or they cannot be kept safe, call 999
8. Chronic fatigue syndrome
Finally, chronic fatigue syndrome could be the reason why you're feeling constantly tired.
“This is a complex disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest," Dr Mohan said.
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Symptoms of the condition - also called myalgic encephalomyelitis - include:
- feeling extremely tired all the time – you may find it very hard to do daily activities
- still feeling tired after resting or sleeping
- taking a long time to recover after physical activity
- problems sleeping, such as waking up often during the night
- problems with thinking, memory and concentration