Fatigue And Sleepy During The Day

Fast Facts On Fatigue And Tiredness:

• Fatigue is also known as tiredness, reduced energy, physical or mental exhaustion, or lack of motivation.
• Causes of fatigue can be psychological, physiological, and physical.
• To diagnose the reasons for fatigue, a doctor will ask questions and take a sleep history, and may perform a physical examination and blood and urine tests.
• Treatment is focused on the underlying cause of tiredness.

lists the following lifestyle habits that can lead to tiredness and fatigue:

• staying up too late
• drinking too much alcohol
• eating junk food

Some people are more likely than others to suffer from fatigue. For instance, women more often report fatigue. People who live in poverty and those with mental or physical illness are also more likely to present with fatigue.

Why Am I Fully Awake Overnight

If you aren’t getting enough quality sleep each night, it’s going to be hard for your body to function properly during the day.

Sleep is very important because it allows your body to repair itself and restore balance between its various systems. If you’re not getting enough sleep, this process gets disrupted which can lead to poor decision-making, increased stress levels, and other issues that may come up at night.

So, if you’re struggling with nighttime insomnia, here are a few things that may help: avoid caffeine after 2 p.m., make your bedroom more comfortable , try relaxing exercises like breathing techniques or yoga, and talk to your doctor about medications that may help.

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Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Though you are probably unaware of it, you may be involuntarily moving your legs during the night as you sleep. The movement may be significant enough to wake you. The interruptions in sleep may or may not wake you, but either way are significant enough to cause havoc in your sleep cycle. People with PLMD often complain of feeling unrested and of daytime sleepiness.

The cause of PLMD is unknown, but may be related to anemia, central nervous system problems or may be genetic. Good sleep hygiene habits will help relief PLMD. If you are not relieved despite having good sleep hygiene, a consultation with your health care provider is necessary.

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How Is A Pots Diagnosis Made

Problems with the autonomic nervous system can be difficult to diagnose. The standard test for POTS is the tilt table test. During the test, you are secured to a table that tilts from being horizontal to almost a 90-degree angle. The test measures your hearts response to switching from laying down to standing up. Some people with POTS faint during this test, even if they rarely faint standing up.

Although the test seems straightforward, many things can interfere with it. Its important that a POTS specialist oversees it. Its best to work with a doctor who has diagnosed and treated patients with POTS. This could be a cardiologist, a neuromuscular specialist or another doctor.

Why Can I Sleep During The Day But Not At Night

If you’re exhausted yet unable to sleep, it might be an indication that your circadian cycle is out of sync. Poor napping habits, worry, sadness, caffeine intake, blue light from electronics, sleep problems, and even food can all contribute to being fatigued all day and awake at night. In addition to making it difficult to do anything else other than sleep, this also risks exacerbating other health issues such as depression or anxiety. It’s important to understand why you sleep in the daytime so that you don’t need to, and can fix the problem instead.

You might think that if you cannot sleep at night, then something is wrong with you or your environment. But many people suffer from insomnia — actually, about 30 million Americans experience some form of insomnia each year. So if you aren’t sleeping at night, it isn’t just a personal issue there are likely social, emotional, or environmental factors involved as well.

It is very common for people to want to sleep during the day because they are tired at night. If this is affecting your ability to function properly, see your doctor so that he/she can determine what is causing your daytime fatigue and help you find a solution. You could possibly try using melatonin or hot baths before bedtime to help you get more restful nights’ sleep.

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Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion

Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances — or allergies — can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.

Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test — or invest in a home test such as ALCAT — which may help you identify the offending foods.

Signs Your Fatigue Is Actually Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Being overly tired can totally wreck your day. Most of us will occasionally suffer from fatigue a sense of being so tired that you can almost feel weary down to your bones. Usually, it comes from a temporary illness or from a lack of sleep, something that’s easily remedied with a bit of rest. Even if you feel tired day after day, having a restful period with a lot of sleep can normally help set it right. But for some people, this fatigue can be a sign of something more. In some cases, extreme tiredness might actually be excessive daytime sleepiness. “At first, these two may seem like the same thing, but they aren’t,” Chris Brantner, sleep expert and founder of SleepZoo, tells Bustle. “We all get tired sometimes. But that comes and goes with adequate rest. However, excessive daytime sleepiness is a chronic issue that indicates something is afoot.”

The difference between excessive daytime sleepiness and normal, occasional fatigue can be difficult to explain. Certainly, some of us can feel so tired that it feels undeniably excessive, but that’s not necessarily EDS. When it comes to EDS, there’s a severity and tenacity to the tiredness that goes beyond what most of us have experienced. So how can you tell the difference? Here’s a sign that your tiredness is actually EDS, according to experts.

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Why Do I Feel Tired All Day But Awake At Night

According to Meir Kryger, MD, a sleep disorders expert at Yale Medicine, “being fatigued during the day and energetic at night is frequently caused by circadian rhythm anomalies,” which means that “a person’s biological clock runs late and they experience a surge of energy in the evening.” He claims that individuals frequently…

How Much Sleep Do You Need

Adults generally need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 35% of respondents reported getting six or fewer hours of nightly sleep. Since a good nights rest is essential for bodily recovery and repair, those who dont get enough sleep on a regular basis are at higher risk for certain disorders, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

As you can see from our recommendations, the amount of sleep you should get each night will evolve over the course of your life.

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Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper

At 2.5 inches, this is one of the slimmest pillows youll find. It has a rounded top and flat bottom. People whove used this pillow recommend it for stomach sleepers who like to sleep with their arm under their pillow.

This pillow weighs less than 2 pounds, making it a great choice for traveling and camping trips.

Considerations

The fill is made from mildew-resistant latex memory foam.

The pillow cant be machine washed, but it can be hand washed with a sponge. The cotton outer cover is removable and machine washable.

Latex allergy

If you have a latex allergy, look for another low profile pillow instead. Read on to learn about Bluewave Beddings super-slim option, our pick for cooling pillows.

Fatigue And Being Tiredwhats The Difference

You know what it means to be tiredyou likely feel that way every night before bed. But fatigue is slightly different. When youre fatigued, you have unrelenting exhaustion that lasts longer than normal tiredness, and its usually not helped by getting rest, the Mayo Clinic says.

Symptoms of fatigue can include low energy, feeling unmotivated, or feeling unfocused, says Dr. Waters. And that can lead to other symptoms like pain issues including headaches, restless legs, muscle aches, and insomnia. It may translate to not completing tasks through your day, or not being able to focus on a project, Dr. Waters says. Fatigue does not have to be constant, it can fluctuate.

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What Else Causes Fatigue

Some lifestyle habits can make you feel tired. Here are some things that may be draining your energy:

• Staying up too late. A good night’s sleep is important to feeling refreshed and energetic. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
• Having too much caffeine. Drinking caffeinated drinks like soda, tea, or coffee late in the day can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Limit the amount of caffeine you have during the day and avoid it in the evening.
• Drinking too much alcohol.Alcohol changes the way you think and act. It may also interact with your medicines.
• Eating junk food. Say “no thanks” to food with empty calories, like fried foods and sweets, which have few nutrients and are high in fat and sugars. Choose nutritious foods to get the energy you need to do the things you enjoy.
• Getting too little or too much exercise. Regular exercise can boost your energy levels, but dont overdo it.

Where To Get Help

• Your doctor

• Wilson J, Morgan S, Magin P, et al. 2014, Fatigue a rational approach to investigation, Australian Family Physician, vol. 43, no. 7, pp. 457-461, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. More information here.
• Fatigue, 2013, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. More information here.
• Fatigue, Mayo Clinic, USA. More information here.
• Fatigue in the workplace, WorkSafe Victoria. More information here.

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How Can I Combat This Issue When I Work

To ward off sleepiness at work, first, start by practicing good sleep hygiene at home. Maintain a steady sleep schedule, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, drugs, and alcohol, and dont work or use your tech devices before bed.

In the event you still feel somnolent at work, these tips should help you feel recharged.

• Splash cold water on your face
• Limit your sugar intake
• Work in a cooler space
• Play some music

The Secondary Benefits Of Treating Sleepiness Or Fatigue

Treating other health conditions that can cause EDS or fatigue can deliver the wonderful secondary benefit of improving your overall health and symptom load.

For instance, people who treat their OSA find that they have more energy, are more clear-headed, experience less pain, and find it easier to maintain a stable mood this is because OSA also causes systemic inflammation , cognitive problems, hypersensitivity to pain, and mood dysfunction.

If you have EDS or fatigue and are newly diagnosed with MSor youve had MS for a while but are experiencing new or different symptomsits important to investigate them to determine if theyre actually related to your condition or if they may require separate diagnosis and treatment.

Note: If you are middle aged or older, the aging process alone may lead to the development of other conditions. Arthritis, for instance, can lead to both depression and fatigue, and sleep apnea is a common cause among older people with EDS.

Do yourself a favor and look into your symptoms, rather than chalk it up to aging or assume its just the monster at work. Theres no reason you need to suffer more just because you have MS!

And finally, make sleep a priority. The National Sleep Foundation says:

Getting a good night’s sleep helps to alleviate many common symptoms of MS, including chronic fatigue, mood and memory problems.

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Is It Possible That I Have Pots And Was Incorrectly Diagnosed

This is entirely possible. Given how common POTS symptoms are and how unfamiliar many doctors are with this condition, diagnostic mishaps happen. POTS is frequently misidentified as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, anxiety disorder, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, myositis, etc. It is also possible that you have both POTS and one of these conditions, which may complicate the diagnosis. Sometimes people with POTS are told that its all in your head, implying that the cause of their symptoms is psychological. If you feel like something is physically wrong, dont hesitate to seek a second, and even a third or fourth opinion.

What Causes Excessive Sleepiness

Any condition that keeps you from getting good quantity and quality sleep at night can cause excessive sleepiness during the day. Daytime sleepiness may be the only symptom you know, but other signs, such as snoring or kicking, may be occurring while youre asleep.

For many people with sleep disorders, its a bed partner who observes other key symptoms. Regardless of the cause, its important to have your sleep condition evaluated if daytime sleepiness is keeping you from making the most of your day.

Among the more common causes of excessive sleepiness are:

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What Causes ‘your’ Fatigue

Many physical and mental illnesses, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause your fatigue, and that can make it hard to diagnose. In some cases, it might be something simple and easy to fix, like having caffeine at bedtime. But other causes, like heart disease or COPD, are serious, and you may need to start long-term treatment right away.

Your doctor can help you sift through your health issues, as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, in order to zero in on the cause and help you on the road to recovery.

Are Energy Drinks Safe

Some folks turn to energy drinks to help keep themselves alert, but health experts warn these could have serious health repercussions.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the number of emergency-room visits due to energy drink consumption doubled between 2007 and 2011. They add that young people are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of energy drinks. Its reported that college students who mix energy drinks with alcohol are more likely to binge drink, and kids who consume too much caffeine could comprise their developing cardiovascular and nervous systems.

It may also be unclear how much caffeine is in energy drinks or supplements since its not mandatory to list the amount on the label. Consuming too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, digestive issues, dehydration, heart and blood vessel problems, anxiety, and disrupt sleep patterns.

Find Out More:Caffeine and Sleep

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When To Get In Touch With A Doctor

Sleepiness or fatigue can warrant a doctors visit. You should schedule an appointment with your doctor if you feel like sleepiness or fatigue is having a negative impact on your everyday life, especially since theres a chance they could indicate an underlying condition.

Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend better sleep hygiene practices, prescribe medication, or help you pin down an underlying cause.

They may also refer you to a sleep specialist to diagnose your condition and come up with a treatment plan. If your sleepiness or fatigue is caused by a sleep disorder like narcolepsy or sleep apnea, its especially important to work with an expert to get proper treatment.

Drive Alert And Stay Unhurt

Learn the risks of drowsy driving and how to protect yourself.

Drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. The risk, danger, and sometimes tragic results of drowsy driving are alarming. Drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough, but it can also happen due to untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol, and shift work.

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Exercise Doesnt Completely Eliminate Your Risk

While regular exercise is always recommended, it doesnt completely offset all the health risks of sitting too much.

One study measured metabolic markers in 18 people following different exercise protocols. One hour of intense exercise did not make up for the negative effects of inactivity when other hours were spent sitting .

Additionally, a review of 47 studies found that prolonged sitting was strongly linked to negative health outcomes, regardless of exercise levels .

As expected, the negative effects were even greater for people who rarely exercised.

SUMMARY

Being physically active is incredibly beneficial, but exercise alone does not completely offset the negative effects of sitting.

What To Look For In A Pillow For Stomach Sleeping

If you sleep on your stomach, try looking for pillows that:

• Provide medium-firm support. Its important to choose a pillow thats relatively flat and doesnt exceed 3.5 inches in height. For many stomach sleepers, less is more. You may find your most perfect pillow only raises your head around 2 inches.
• Are good quality. No matter your budget, remember that pillows are not meant to last for years. Even the highest quality pillow will eventually start to sag or become stained.
• Can be cleaned easily. You also want to avoid sleeping on an old pillow that has become contaminated with allergens, mold, or dust mites. Using a pillow protector can help prolong the life of your pillow.
• Are nontoxic. Pillows are made from a wide range of fills and coverings. Some may contain chemical toxins you want to avoid. If youre looking for a more sustainable pillow, choose one thats made from organic or vegan materials. Any pillow that comes with a CertiPUR-US or Greenguard Gold guarantee is toxin-free.

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