I'm so Tired

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I'm so Tired

Sunday, May 06, 2007

How often have you said that as you stifled a yawn and reached for yet another of your special energy drinks? What happens when the fatigue just will not go away? Call it what you wish - tiredness, lack of energy, fatigue; the fact is that this often overlooked and very common complaint is frequently a warning sign of ill health.

If you are always tired and your fatigue does not go away after resting, your body may be alerting you to an undiagnosed illness.

ANAEMIAThis is a potentially life-threatening condition which occurs when the amount of oxygen carrying haemoglobin falls below normal levels in the blood. The body is literally forced to work harder to get oxygen to its vital organs. There are a number of possible causes - deficiencies of iron, Vitamin B 12, folic acid, heavy periods, worm infestation, kidney disease and poor nutrition.

You may notice that you tire easily, feel "out of sorts" and that routine tasks such as taking out the garbage require more effort. BEST TEST A blood test measuring haemoglogin and ferritin (a measure of the amount of iron stored in the body.)

DEPRESSION This is one of the most common mental illnesses. In some persons the fatigue is debilitating - lasting all day. Others feel sluggish, even after plenty of rest. You may find yourself sleeping too much or too little. There are other symptoms such as irritability, hopelessness, changes in eating habits, lack of interest in previously pleasurable activities - sex, relationships or hobbies.BEST TEST

You may go online to www.depression-screening.org for a depression screening test. This test can also be performed by your doctor.

DIABETESType 1 and type 2 diabetes occur because the body is not effectively using or producing insulin, a hormone that helps cells to absorb glucose ( sugar ), a fuel for the body. As a result there is a build-up of glucose in the blood. The cells are then unable to function properly. Over time the high glucose levels damage the eyes, heart, kidneys and nerves. The fatigue associated with diabetes is not unusual and can be subtle. Other symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, weight loss and blurred vision.

BEST TEST a fasting blood glucose test, which measures blood glucose early in the morning after a fast, and a 2-hour post-prandial, which measures blood glucose 2 hours after a drink of glucose. The preferred tests for diagnosing diabetes are.

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASEThis occurs when your kidneys are not filtering enough waste from your blood, causing a build-up of toxins. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of kidney disease. This condition can, of itself, cause high blood pressure, anaemia, nerve damage, poor nutritional health and weak bones. Persons suffering from kidney disease tire easily and feel as if they are constantly out of breath. This fatigue is caused by anaemia. Other symptoms are weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting and swelling of the feet.

BEST TEST Three simple tests can detect chronic kidney disease - blood pressure measurement, testing the urine for protein and a blood test for creatinine. Your doctor can use these results, along with your age, race, gender and other factors, to calculate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This will tell how much kidney function you have.THYROID DISEASEHYPERTHYROIDISM

This occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. Thyroid hormone regulates the body's metabolism. Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to a life-threatening irregular heartbeat. Unexplained weight loss, restless sleep, tremors, frequent bowel actions, heat intolerance and warm, sweaty skin are associated with this disease.

The fatigue feels like muscle weakness, which is very noticeable when you are exercising.

HYPOTHYROIDISMIn this condition, the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to "run the body's metabolism", people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism. Left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to high cholesterol levels, heart disease, muscle weakness and infertility. Other symptoms include weight gain, constipation, hair loss, rough coarse skin, memory loss, irritability, depression, muscle cramps and aches, cold intolerance and loss of libido. About 10 per cent of women may have this problem at menopause. The fatigue makes you feel weak and sluggish with muscle aches, especially in colder weather.

BEST TEST A blood test for TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone. A low reading may indicate an overactive thyroid gland; a high reading may indicate an under-active gland.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnoea, mononucleosis, hepatitis C and fibromyalgia are other common causes of tiredness.

Dr is a family physician in private practice. E mail drjcampbell14@...

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