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Causes of Fatigue and Sleepiness and How to Fight Them

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by waleed, Dec 13, 2011.

  1. waleed

    waleed Moderator

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    No. 1: Not Enough Sleep

    It may seem obvious but you could be getting too little sleep. That can negatively affect your concentration and health. Adults should get seven to eight hours every night.
    Fix: Make sleep a priority and keep a regular schedule. Ban laptops, cell phones, and PDAs from your bedroom. Still having trouble? Seek help from a doctor. You may have a sleep disorder.

    No. 2: Sleep Apnea

    Some people think they're sleeping enough, but sleep apnea gets in the way. It briefly stops your breathing throughout the night. Each interruption wakes you for a moment, but you may not be aware of it. The result: you're sleep-deprived despite spending eight hours in bed.
    Fix: Lose weight if you're overweight, quit smoking, and sleep with a CPAP device to help keep airway passages open at night.

    No. 3: Not Enough Fuel

    Eating too little causes fatigue, but eating the wrong foods can also be a problem. Eating a balanced diet helps keep your blood sugar in a normal range and prevents that sluggish feeling when your blood sugar drops.
    Fix: Always eat breakfast and try to include protein and complex carbs in every meal. For example, eat eggs with whole-grain toast. Also eat meals and snacks throughout the day for sustained energy.

    No. 4: Anemia

    Anemia is a leading cause of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency, putting women at risk. Red blood cells (shown here) are needed because they carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.
    Fix: For anemia caused by an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, liver, shellfish, beans, and enriched cereal, can help.

    No. 5: Depression

    You may think of depression as an emotional disorder, but it contributes to many physical symptoms as well. Fatigue, headaches, and loss of appetite are among the most common symptoms. If you feel tired and “down” for more than a couple of weeks, see your doctor.
    Fix: Depression responds well to psychotherapy and/or medication.

    No. 6: Hypothyroidism

    The thyroid is a small gland at the base of your neck. It controls your metabolism, the speed at which your body converts fuel into energy. When the gland is underactive and the metabolism functions too slowly, you may feel sluggish and put on weight.
    Fix: If a blood test confirms your thyroid hormones are low, synthetic hormones can bring you up to speed.

    no. 7: Caffeine Overload

    Caffeine can improve alertness and concentration in moderate doses. But too much can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and jitteriness. And research indicates too much actually causes fatigue in some people.
    Fix: Gradually cut back on coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and any medications that contain caffeine. Stopping suddenly can cause caffeine withdrawal and more fatigue.

    No. 8: Hidden UTI

    If you've ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you're probably familiar with the burning pain and sense of urgency. But the infection does not always announce itself with such obvious symptoms. In some cases, fatigue may be the only sign. A urine test can quickly confirm a UTI.
    Fix: Antibiotics are the cure for UTI's, and the fatigue will usually vanish within a week.

    No. 9: Diabetes

    In people with diabetes, abnormally high levels of sugar remain in the bloodstream instead of entering the body's cells, where it would be converted into energy. The result is a body that runs out of steam despite having enough to eat. If you have persistent, unexplained fatigue, ask your doctor about being tested for diabetes.
    Fix: Treatments for diabetes may include lifestyle changes, insulin therapy, and medications to help the body process sugar.

    No 10: Dehydration

    Your fatigue can be a sign of dehydration. Whether you're working out or working a desk job, your body needs water to work well and keep cool. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
    Fix: Drink water throughout the day so your urine is light colored. Have at least two cups of water an hour or more before a planned physical activity. Then, sip throughout your workout and afterwards drink another two cups.

    No 11: heart disease

    When fatigue strikes during everyday activities, such as cleaning the house or weeding the yard, it can be a sign that your heart is no longer up to the job. If you notice it's becoming increasingly difficult to finish tasks that were once easy, talk to your doctor about heart disease.
    Fix: Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapeutic procedures can get heart disease under control and restore your energy.

    No. 12: Shift Work Sleep Disorder

    Working nights or rotating shifts can disrupt your internal clock. You may feel tired when you need to be awake. And you may have trouble sleeping during the day.
    Fix: Limit your exposure to daylight when you need to rest. Make your room dark, quiet, and cool. Still having sleep issues? Talk with your doctor. Supplements and medications may help.

    No. 13: Food Allergies

    Some doctors believe hidden food allergies can make you sleepy. If your fatigue intensifies after meals, you could have a mild intolerance to something you're eating -- not enough to cause itching or hives, just enough to make you tired.
    Fix: Try eliminating foods one at a time to see if your fatigue improves. You can also ask your doctor about a food allergy test.

    no. 14: CFS and Fibromyalgia

    If your fatigue lasts more than six months and is so severe that you can't manage your daily activities, chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia are a possibility. Both can have various symptoms, but persistent, unexplained exhaustion is a main one.
    Fix: While there's no quick fix for CFS or fibromyalgia, patients often benefit from changing their daily schedule, learning better sleep habits, and starting a gentle exercise program.

    N.B :
    Fast Fix for Mild Fatigue
    If you have mild fatigue that isn't linked to any medical condition, the solution may be exercise. Research suggests healthy but tired adults can get a significant energy boost from a modest workout program. In one study, participants rode a stationary bike for 20 minutes at a mild pace. Doing this just three times a week was enough to fight fatigue.

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    Source 1:Medical Inspiration-For doctors and Medical students: Causes of Fatigue and Sleepiness and How to Fight Them
    Source 2:medicinenet
     

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  2. einfopedia

    einfopedia Well-Known Member

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    thank you for sharing this article and this disease happen with many people the reason is that how its happen with the human. it is very informative for everyone but i think in a normal life no one have a knowledge about these diseases.so its interesting.
     

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  3. Christophar

    Christophar Well-Known Member

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    Hi Mod,
    Very informative post on causes of fatigue and sleepiness and how to fight with them and your post will be of great help for those who are fighting with fatigue and sleepiness and looking for effective tips to cure fatigue and sleepiness.
     

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