What Causes Extreme Sleepiness And Fatigue

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur when your blood doesn’t circulate properly, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Doctors don’t totally understand the condition or why it happens, but they know that when a person with POTS stands upright, more blood collects in their lower body, causing the heart to beat faster to pump blood up to the brain.

Some people with POTS describe it as having sudden fatigue attacks, while others say it’s like having waves of sudden extreme fatigue and nausea or extreme fatigue “out of nowhere.” It can present differently depending on the person, but other symptoms might include:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when standing, or fainting
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle cramps or muscle pain

POTS tends to run in families, and there’s a link between POTS and having highly mobile joints , per Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you think you have it, see your doctor, who can run a test and make a diagnosis.

Can Fatigue Be Prevented

Fatigue is a symptom of several conditions, so it is hard to prevent. But it is important that you get enough quality sleep to help minimise the risks of fatigue, such as workplace accidents. If you do feel fatigued at work, take a break.

Listen to your body, and if you have a sleeping problem, see a doctor so they can address any underlying causes.

Tips To Avoid Daytime Sleepiness

Nearly everyone has days when they feel sleepy. But for some people, excessive sleepiness actually gets in the way of daily work, childcare, and even leisure activities. This is known as hypersomnia, recurrent sleepiness that makes people want to nap repeatedly, even at work.

Not surprisingly, the problem of daytime sleepiness usually starts at night. Even missing just a few nightsâ sleep, or not getting enough uninterrupted sleep, can slow you down and sour your mood.

Poor sleep habits are often the cause of daytime sleepiness. Before you go through any more groggy and crabby days, try these 12 ways to improve nighttime sleep and avoid daytime sleepiness.

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How To Combat Daytime Fatigue

There are several things you can do to try to help reduce daytime fatigue:

• Eat healthier Eating less junk food, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-sugar foods may help increase energy levels. If youre hungry late into the evening, opt for healthy late-night snacks like hummus or bananas.
• Exercise regularly Regularly moving your body may improve sleep and reduce daytime fatigue.
• Practice mindfulness One study found that mindfulness training helped multiple sclerosis patients reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
• Get better sleep Aim to improve sleep hygiene by getting 8 hours of sleep, avoiding screens around bedtime, and saying no to caffeine and alcohol 4 hours before bed.

If your efforts to reduce fatigue arent working, its a good idea to pay a visit to your doctor.

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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Getting Relief For Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Relief is possible for most people with excessive sleepiness. The optimal treatment is tailored to each person based on the specific cause or contributing factors.

Because EDS can be caused by both poor sleep habits and medical and brain conditions, there are a diverse range of approaches to resolving it. A doctor is in the best position to identify and tailor optimal treatment pathways for individuals.

If drowsiness is derived from sleep deprivation, various steps can be taken to improve sleep quality and quantity. Examples include continuous positive airway pressure machines for sleep apnea and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia . Many sleep-focused treatments will help facilitate improvements to sleep hygiene, which incorporates a persons sleep habits and bedroom environment, and whether theyre using the best mattress and pillow for their needs.

If EDS is tied to another medical problem, treatment typically focuses on resolving that underlying issue. Sleep hygiene improvements may be encouraged along with other treatments to help people incorporate healthy sleep tips into their daily routines.

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How To Treat Fatigue

If you have been experiencing fatigue, it is important to talk to your doctor in order to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing this lack of energy. Once you are sure the cause is not related to a health issue, it may be beneficial to try one or more of the following tips to help boost your energy.

Exercise. When youre exhausted, exercising may be the furthest thing from your mind, but research shows that physical activity can boost your energy levels and help you shake off that fatigue. Regular exercise can improve the function of your heart, lungs, and muscles as well as increase your stamina for other activities.

Hydrate. Not getting enough water and allowing yourself to become dehydrated can cause fatigue and make it harder for you to perform daily tasks and chores. Not getting enough water can also decrease alertness and concentration, therefore, it is important to stay hydrated for both your physical and mental states.

Sleep. Getting enough sleep can prevent you from feeling fatigue and drowsiness that may impact your daily functioning. If you find you are unable to get a sufficient amount of sleep through the night, it may be a good idea to take a short nap during the day to boost your energy.

Lose weight. Carrying around excess weight can exhaust your bodys energy stores faster than if you were a healthy weight. Losing weight will not only increase your energy, but relieve any extra strain upon your heart.

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When To Call Your Doctor

If your fatigue prevents you from engaging in work or school, social or personal activities, then you should see your doctor, Dr. Patane says.

“When in doubt, it never hurts to speak to your doctor about this. It can be a simple evaluation, and we may be able to say there’s nothing seriously wrong and suggest lifestyle modifications,” he says. “One of the best ways to get better from fatigue is with good sleep hygiene and by slowly increasing daily exercise.”

Physical Causes Of Tiredness

There are several health conditions that can make you feel tired or exhausted.

These include:

Tiredness can also be the result of:

• pregnancy particularly in the first 12 weeks
• being overweight or obese your body has to work harder to do everyday activities
• being underweight poor muscle strength can make you tire more easily
• cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy
• carbon monoxide poisoning especially if your gas boiler has not been serviced regularly
• side effects of medicines and some herbal remedies

If you have been feeling constantly tired for more than 4 weeks, it’s a good idea to see your GP so they can confirm or rule out a medical condition that could be causing your tiredness.

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What Is Excessive Sleepiness

Excessive sleepiness refers to the urge or tendency to fall asleep when you want to be awake, such as during daytime hours. Many people commonly experience excessive sleepiness. Research shows that up to 37% of the U.S. population reports experiencing excessive sleepiness at least a few days each month, with fewer people experiencing it more often.

Although excessive sleepiness overlaps with fatigue, it is a distinctly different symptom. When a person experiences excessive sleepiness, they tend to nod off or fall asleep when they want to be awake. When a person experiences fatigue, they often feel tired but do not usually fall asleep when they want to be awake.

Excessive sleepiness is often referred to as excessive daytime sleepiness, or EDS, by physicians and sleep specialists. To eliminate or reduce your EDS, you must first figure out why you are experiencing it.

Lifestyle Causes Of Tiredness

In today’s 24/7 “always on” world, we often try to cram too much into our daily lives.

And to try to stay on top of things, we sometimes consume too much alcohol or caffeine, or eat sugary and high-fat snacks on the go rather than sitting down for a proper meal.

The main lifestyle causes of tiredness include:

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Depression Mild To Moderate

Daytime drowsiness can be a symptom of depression. Other symptoms of depression include lack of interest in your usual activities, low energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness, and sleep problems such as insomnia, excessive waking during the night, nightmares, and other sleep disturbances.

The fatigue associated with depression can be both mental and physical. It may or may not be caused by the sleeping difficulties that are common in depression.

Mild to moderate depression, whether it be acute or chronic can be treated with medication prescribed by your health care provider. There are things that you can do yourself to help to alleviate depression and daytime sleepiness. Exercising, spending time out-of-doors every day, or talking with a trusted friend or family member may be helpful.

Symptoms And Consequences Of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Sleep plays an important role in consolidating memory, restoring the immune system, and other vital processes. As a result, a lack of quality sleep may result in a host of symptoms that you may not immediately connect to sleep.

Even if you dont consciously feel sleepy, you may be suffering from excessive sleepiness if youre experiencing any of the following:

• Trouble staying alert
• Slower reaction times
• Risk-taking behaviors

Being sleepy can have wide-ranging effects on health and daily life. Consequences of daytime sleepiness include:

• Increased risk of car and work accidents
• Worse quality of life
• Problems regulating mood and emotions
• Social and relationship problems

Excessive sleepiness may be particularly dangerous for young adults, shift workers, medical staff, and people who drive a lot.

Long-term sleep deprivation has been linked to a higher chance of developing diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Daytime sleepiness in children may affect development, while in older adults, daytime sleepiness heightens the risk for falls and may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment, memory loss, and earlier mortality.

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Eating And Drinking Habits

Diet can affect how tired or energetic a person feels. Maintaining a moderate and well-balanced diet can lead to better health and better sleep.

Here are some tips to try:

• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
• Eat snacks that are low in sugar.
• Avoid highly processed food and follow a healthful diet.
• Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid consuming caffeine in the afternoon and evening.

There are many foods that help beat fatigue.

The Doctor May Examine You

The doctor may check your weight and height, if it seems relevant. You may not be examined, as it may depend on your answers to some of the questions above however, the doctor may think it relevant to:

• Check your lymph glands to see if they are enlarged.
• Check your thyroid gland to see if it is enlarged.
• Look at your eyes to see if you might be anaemic.
• Listen to your chest and feel your tummy and the organs in your tummy.
• Check your joints for swelling or inflammation.
• Check the strength of your arms and/or legs.
• Ask you for a sample of your urine to check for sugar or infection.

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Q When Should You See A Doctor For Your Fatigue

A. Talk to yourprovider as soon as you or those around you experience any amount of concern.Simply expressing the problem should lead to a discussion about thetopic.

Your provider will likelywant to evaluate you to determine the severity of your symptoms and potentialcauses. Typically, the evaluation starts with a thorough history and physicalexam.

Doctors also use specificquestions to measure how tired you feel. Terms like feeling tired,experiencing fatigue, having lack of energy and feeling especially sleepyare often used interchangeably. However, its important for your provider todistinguish between them to figure out the cause.

Based on your responses,your doctor can figure out the appropriate approach for diagnosing you. You mayneed additional testing, such as lab work, imaging or sleep studies, todetermine the cause. Once your provider gets to the bottom of the fatigueissue, they can work with you on how to solve it.

Sleep Disorders And Fatigue

Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, feeling exhausted upon awakening, snoring

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that disrupt or prevent restful, restorative sleep. That can take a toll on your health and quality of life, so itââ¬â¢s important to look out for signs and symptoms.

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. If you or your partner notices loud snoring and you wake up tired and stay that way, you could have sleep apnea. More than one-third of adults in the U.S. snore at least a few nights a week. But if the snoring stops your breathing for seconds at a time, it could be sleep apnea.Ã Learn more about the best sleep positions and see if sleeping on your stomach is bad or not.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes low blood oxygen levels. That’s because blockages prevent air from getting to the lungs. The low oxygen levels also affect how well your heart and brain work. Sometimes, the only clue that you might have sleep apnea is chronic fatigue.

Your doctor may prescribe a medical device called CPAP that helps keep your airways open while you sleep. In severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may help. The surgeon will remove tissues that are blocking the airways. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

But sleep apnea is just one of many sleep disorders that cause fatigue. Other common types include:

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Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: The Top Possible Causes

Blog, Sleep Center

Are you feeling tired all the time during the day? If so, check out this guide to learn about the possible causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Do you need coffee after lunch to help you make it through the rest of the day? If so, youre not alone. A survey conducted by the National Safety Council found that 43% of Americans dont get the sleep they need to function properly at work.

In may surprise you, but theres an official, medical term for this condition. Its called Excessive Daytime Sleepiness .

This condition causes several side-effects such as lack of concentration, exhaustion, loss of appetite, and anxiety. If this is happening to you daily, you need to get to the root o the problem before it starts causing job-related issues.

To help you out, were going over some of the top causes of EDS.

A Poor Sleep Routine

If youre lucky to get six or seven hours of sleep each night, youre bound to struggle with fatigue during the day. Theres a good chance youve developed bad sleep habits.

A common mistake many people make is failing to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. If you go to sleep and wake up at different times throughout the week, your bodys sleep cycles will get out of whack.

Try to use your bedroom for sleeping only. You should also invest in a mattress thats right for your body. This puffy mattress review breaks down the different components of a high-quality mattress.

Overwhelming Stress

Underactive Thyroid And Fatigue

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, sluggishness, feeling run-down, depression, cold intolerance, weight gain

The problem may be a slow or underactive thyroid. This is known as hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. It helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy.

According to the American Thyroid Foundation, about 17% of all women will have a thyroid disorder by age 60. And most won’t know it. The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. The result is hypothyroidism, or a slow metabolism.

Blood tests known as T3 and T4 will detect thyroid hormones. If these hormones are low, synthetic hormones can bring you up to speed, and you should begin to feel better fairly rapidly.

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Pots: A Little Known Cause Of Extreme Fatigue

Everyone knows what being tired feels like at the end of a long day. But some people experience fatigue so severe and so seemingly random that its hard to describe. If that sounds familiar, there could be more going on than daily stress.

While there are many causes of fatigue, one of them is frequently missed and misdiagnosed: postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome . Physical medicine and neuromuscular specialist Tae Chung, M.D., answers questions about POTS and extreme fatigue as one of its symptoms.

Why Am I So Tired

You may be asking yourself, Why am I always tired? Why cant I seem to get out of this low-energy fog? First of all, youre not alone. Fatigue is a common problem and can manifest as feeling tired physically and/or mentally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 15.3% of women and 10.1% of men regularly feel very tired or exhausted.

We all know that feeling exhausted reduces our ability to work effectively, manage day-to-day routines, and maintain family and social relationships. Extreme fatigue can cause us to be more prone to irritability and mood swings. Tragically, drowsiness when driving also causes about 72,000 car crashes a year in the U.S.

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