Reasons for Being Tired All the Time

Tiredness is usually a symptom that's quite present in our daily lives and many factors influence its appearance. Find out in this article the reasons why you may be tired all the time.

Written and verified by the nurse Maria Marin Garcia.

Last update: 13 January, 2023

In most cases, chronic fatigue turns out to be a consequence of the daily habits we are often used to nowadays. Feeling this lack of energy often boils down to frustration and loss of health. That said, there are many reasons for being tired all the time.

As a rule, generalized weakening is caused by sleeping problems, excessive stress, etc. In this article, you will learn about the causes and symptoms of chronic fatigue.

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a long-term illness with a multitude of causes and consequences. It’s not complicated to notice the lack of energy, both mental and physical.

Mainly, the symptoms of fatigue are varied and go unnoticed, but the consequences are evident. We can highlight some symptoms such as the following:

• Sleep disturbances
• Headaches or muscle pain
• Dizziness
• Concentration problems
• Fatigue
• Discomfort in the initiation and accomplishment of tasks (this symptom worsens with increased physical activity)
• Irritability
• Muscle contractures
• A lack of appetite

Who suffers the most from tiredness all the time?

As risk factors, there are characteristics that make a person more likely to suffer from chronic tiredness. Examples of these determinants are some such as the following:

• Aged between 40-60 years
• Stressful jobs or jobs involving leadership, such as jobs involving high responsibility
• Night shift workers
• White race
• Women
• Social or economic problems
• Family burdens, especially being a caregiver for an elderly relative

What are the reasons for being tired all the time?

Unfortunately, there’s no single cause to identify chronic fatigue. This makes it complicated to diagnose and, above all, to solve. The reasons that occur to a greater extent are the following:

Insomnia

In this sense, not allowing the body to rest causes a neuronal and hormonal alteration. The natural sleep cycle is disturbed. The longer the time awake, the more work the tired cells and hormones of the body will have to do. It all adds up to an endless cycle that increases the symptoms and consequences of fatigue.

Sleep schedule changes

Alternate or unscheduled sleep cycles make the body feel tired. In addition, hormones and substances that help rest are secreted at night. This causes, for example, night workers to be more affected by this condition.

Stress/anxiety

Stress is often cited as the main cause of insomnia and muscle problems. While it does not necessarily cause a lack of sleep, it can cause symptoms of fatigue in and of itself.

Unhealthy diets

Examples of this can be overeating, eating very fatty foods, or long periods of fasting. This does not allow for good nutrition and will increase our tiredness.

Other reasons for being tired

There are other causes that occur to a lesser extent but are still influential factors. When several elements are added together, they can cause serious health problems. Some of these reasons are the following:

• A lack of physical exercise.
• Dehydration or low water intake.
• Anemia: A diet-related disorder.
• Thyroid diseases: The thyroid is responsible for secreting hormones that regulate metabolism. If there’s an alteration in the production of these hormones, fatigue is evident. Hyperthyroidism causes the overproduction of hormones that quickly burn all the calories.
• Diabetes: The poor utilization of glucose makes us feel tired since it is the substance that gives energy to the cells.
• Depression: This can cause a lack of sleep and appetite, which also translated into generalized tiredness.
• Lack of vitamins: A lack of B12, which is an animal protein, and vitamin D, which is acquired from sunlight, can cause tiredness and malaise.
• Occupational situations: Excessive workload, high responsibility, or night shift work worsens the situation.

When faced with these reasons for being tired, watch your habits

Symptoms of tiredness should not be synonymous with alarm. However, it’s advisable to keep an eye on your daily habits and look for causes or conditioning factors. If your habits aren’t responsible for your fatigue, it’s necessary to contact a health professional to establish the cause of this condition.

Fatigue is often a consequence of the frenetic pace of life we lead. If this starts to seriously affect your health, stop and take a break; it may be time to change some of your habits.