Tired All the Time? Don't Ignore It

NEW ORLEANS, LA — "I'm tired."

For a lot of adults, that sentence practically comes with the territory.

Work. Kids. School. Responsibilities. Late nights. Early mornings. Sometimes there simply aren't enough hours in the day.

But there's a difference between being tired after a busy week and realizing you haven't felt like yourself for weeks.

Persistent fatigue isn't something you necessarily have to learn to live with.

Fatigue Is More Than Feeling Sleepy

Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness, weariness or lack of energy that can interfere with your normal activities.

Sometimes the reason is straightforward: you haven't been sleeping enough, you've been under a lot of stress, or your routine has changed.

Other times, fatigue can be associated with an underlying physical or mental health condition.

There Isn't Just One Cause

Fatigue is a symptom, not a disease, which means there are many possible explanations.

According to MedlinePlus, fatigue can be associated with conditions including anemia, diabetes, thyroid disease, sleep disorders, infections, depression and anxiety. Certain medications can also contribute to fatigue.

That's also why searching your symptoms online and trying to diagnose yourself isn't the answer.

Your healthcare provider can look at the whole picture, including your symptoms, health history, medications, sleep and lifestyle.

Pay Attention to Your Normal

Everybody has tired days.

What matters is recognizing when something has changed.

Maybe you're sleeping through the night but still waking up exhausted. Maybe activities that normally feel easy suddenly take much more energy. Or perhaps the fatigue simply isn't improving.

MedlinePlus recommends contacting a healthcare provider when fatigue continues for several weeks.

Your Provider Can Help Find the "Why"

Depending on your symptoms and health history, your provider may ask about your sleep, daily activities, appetite, exercise and medications.

They may also perform an exam or recommend laboratory testing to investigate possible causes.

Sometimes the answer may be as simple as changing a routine. Other times, identifying fatigue can lead to discovering a health issue that needs attention.

Either way, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Listen When Your Body Speaks

Being busy may be normal.

Feeling unlike yourself for weeks shouldn't automatically become your new normal.

If persistent fatigue is affecting your everyday life, consider starting the conversation with your primary care provider.

At BCHS, our providers are here to listen, help identify what's going on and work with you toward feeling your best.

To schedule an appointment, call 504.533.4999 or visit bchsnola.org.

Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.