I get plenty of sleep but I'm always tired. Why?
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Figuring
out why you're tired often requires a little detective work, said Dr. Shannon
Sullivan, a sleep medicine specialist at Stanford University.
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Your
sleep routine might just need a few tweaks. But certain health conditions or
medications could also be to blame. The good news, Dr. Sullivan said, is there
are ways to identify and treat the source of your fatigue, which can often help
you feel better.
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The
first thing to do is review your sleep habits, Dr. Sullivan said Have you
recently strayed from your normal sleep schedule? Have you been stressed?
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If
not, your sleep routine might need sprucing. Make sure you're getting at least
seven hours of sleep every night (some people need more) and try to go to bed
and wake at the same times. Your sleep will be better when it's consistent, Dr.
Sullivan said.
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If
you have a regular afternoon coffee or an evening glass of wine, try skipping
it. And avoid scrolling on your phone or snacking just before bed. All of these
activities can lower the quality of your sleep. The timing of your meals can
make a difference, too; aim to finish dinner at least two to three hours before
bedtime.
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It's
always a good idea to visit a doctor if you're struggling with sleep, said Dr.
Kara Dupuy-Mc-Cauley, a pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo
Clinic. Sleep disorders are common, Dr. Dupuy-McCauley said. They can make you
feel as if you might doze off during the day, so if you struggle with daytime
sleepiness, a doctor will most likely consider the following.
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INSOMNIA
Roughly 30 percent of adults worldwide have trouble falling or staying asleep
(or both). Insomnia can be a short-term problem caused by stress or jet lag.
But if these symptoms occur at least three times a week for three months or
more, you could have chronic insomnia.
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How
it's treated depends on its cause, but in many cases, cognitive behavioral
therapy can be more effective than medication.
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SLEEP
APNEA Another common sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs
when the throat muscles collapse while sleeping, blocking airflow and causing
you to periodically stop breathing. Untreated, serious cases can lead to heart
disease, stroke and diabetes. Your doctor can diagnose the condition with an
at-home wearable device, and treatment with a CPAP machine is often effective.
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RESTLESS
LEG SYNDROME This is characterized by an uncomfortable feeling in the legs and
an urge to move them. Symptoms may be worse at night. Massaging your legs and
cutting back on alcohol and caffeine can reduce symptoms, Dr. Dupuy-McCauley
said. Treating iron deficiency can also help, she added.
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Your
tiredness, weariness or low energy could be caused by many things, Dr. Sullivan
said. So it's important to rule out all the major contenders. Here are some
that a doctor might consider.
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HORMONAL
IMBALANCES A common hormonal issue associated with fatigue is hypothyroidism,
which occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone, said
Dr. Susan Samson, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic. The good news is that
it's easy to test for and treat, Dr. Samson said.
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VITAMIN
OR MINERAL DEFICIENCIES Iron deficiency, which is more likely if you're
menstruating or on a vegetarian or vegan diet, can cause fatigue; as can low
levels of vitamins D and B12.
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CHRONIC
CONDITIONS Many other medical conditions, like diabetes, depression,
gastrointestinal conditions and long Covid, cause fatigue. Chronic fatigue
syndrome causes debilitating fatigue and has no cure, though its symptoms can
be managed.
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?MEDICATIONS A long list of drugs including
antidepressants, benzo-diazepines and antihistamines can also make you feel
tired.?
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All
of this might be exhausting just to contemplate. But experts agreed that it's
usually within reach to determine why someone is, is tired. "It's always a
good idea to it just go to the sleep doctor,"? Dr. Dupuy-McCauley said.
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Anna
Gibbs
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