Diseases Hidden in Fatigue
May 29, 2009
Is exhaustive work, the sole reason for fatigue? A busy lifestyle might be responsible for your tiredness, but tiredness can also be the symptom of a more serious health condition or disease.
Anemia
Exhaustion might indicate anemia. Low level of hemoglobin in the blood causes lack of adequate oxygen supply in the cells and tissues. Although, anemia is largely caused by inadequate amount of iron in the body, but it can also indicate the presence of a more serious physical ailment. Anemia may occur due to internal bleeding, blood loss, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease and cancer. Therefore, if you become exhausted too easily, consider having a blood test to detect anemia.
Diabetes
Energy needed by our body is largely derived from glucose. People suffering from diabetes cannot properly utilize the glucose present in their body. Fatigue might be the early warning of diabetes. If along with fatigue, you are experiencing too much hunger, thirst, increase in urination, consider checking your blood glucose level.
Sleep Disorder
If there is disruption in your normal sleeping pattern, you will experience tiredness. However, fatigue might indicate a more serious sleeping disorder, such as sleep apnea. While a person is sleeping, sleep apnea causes obstruction in breathing. If undiagnosed, sleep apnea can lead to serious heart problems, strokes and hypertension. Having a polysomnogram in a sleep clinic is the best way of detecting sleep apnea.
Lack of essential minerals
Electrolyte imbalance might be responsible for tiredness. Low level of magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium will make us less energetic.
Mental health
Anxiety, stress and depression often make us tired. The symptoms of depression might differ from person to person. Fatigue might be the warning signal of chronic depression.
Thyroid problem
The thyroid gland of our body is responsible for metabolism. Any malfunctioning of this gland causes tiredness. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are responsible for fatigue. If you experience fatigue, have a thyroid test to check the health of your thyroid gland.
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