8 Medically related reasons that may be the root cause of your fatigue

8 Medically related reasons that may be the root cause of your fatigue

By Dr. David Samadi

We’ve all experienced fatigue, from burning the midnight oil over a weekend, neglecting breakfast for a sugary snack, or enduring extended work hours. Typically, these causes can be rectified with simple lifestyle adjustments to boost energy levels. However, if your fatigue seems persistent and disproportionate to your lifestyle choices, it might indicate an underlying medical issue warranting attention from a healthcare professional. Chronic fatigue, when left unaddressed, could indicate an array of medical conditions necessitating proper diagnosis and treatment.

Here, we delve into eight medical conditions that could potentially underlie your feelings of exhaustion:

1. Sleep Apnea: This chronic condition disrupts sleep by causing pauses in breathing, leading to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. Symptoms may include morning headaches, memory problems, irritability, and more. Untreated sleep apnea can escalate to serious health issues such as heart disease or stroke. Diagnosis often involves a sleep study test, with treatments like CPAP machines recommended if necessary.
2. Depression: Depression, influenced by various factors, including genetics and life events, can significantly impact sleep patterns, motivation levels, and overall energy. Seeking professional help for symptoms like persistent sadness, loss of interest, or sleep disturbances is crucial for managing depression effectively.
3. Anemia: This condition, which demonstrates as low red blood cell counts or insufficient hemoglobin levels, can lead to oxygen deprivation, resulting in weakness and fatigue. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, from dietary adjustments to medical interventions like blood transfusions.
4. Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes, marked by high blood glucose levels, can cause excessive fatigue due to inadequate cell energy supply. Diagnosis involves blood glucose tests, with treatment focusing on lifestyle modifications, medication, and dietary changes.
5. Medications: Certain medications, including those for blood pressure, cholesterol, anxiety, and allergies, can induce fatigue as a side effect. Medications that may cause fatigue include medications for blood pressure, statins used to treat cholesterol, proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux, antihistamines for allergies, antidepressants for depression, antipsychotics for bipolar disease, and diuretics to treat edema. Seeking help from a healthcare professional is necessary if you suspect medication-related fatigue.
6. Thyroid Disorders: The two prevalent types of thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Both can disrupt energy regulation in the body, leading to fatigue, among other symptoms. Testing thyroid hormone levels and subsequent medication can effectively manage these conditions.
7. Congestive Heart Failure: Fatigue is a common symptom of congestive heart failure, reflecting the heart’s compromised ability to pump blood efficiently. Diagnosis often involves a comprehensive evaluation, including various tests like echocardiograms.
8. Liver Disease: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), often asymptomatic, can manifest as fatigue alongside other symptoms. To aid in the diagnosising liver disease, blood tests and imaging techniques like ultrasound will be used.

Understanding the diverse medical factors contributing to fatigue underscores the importance of seeking medical evaluation for persistent exhaustion. Individuals can reclaim their vitality and overall well-being by addressing the underlying conditions effectively.

Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.  Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.