Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Real Reasons You're So Tired

IF YOU ARE ... feeling tired when you're active, but better as soon as you rest.

It could be, lack of fitness. Energy levels increase as you take regular exercise.

But if you're also ... looking paler, experiencing bouts of breathlessness when you're not particularly active, feeling light-headed or you've recently become pregnant, you could be anaemic. You can become iron deficient due to heavy periods or not eating a sufficient diet of dark, leafy greens and/or red meat.

It's time to see your GP if ... you also have dry skin, experience sensitivity to the cold (even when it's warm) and you've put on more than a stone over six months without altering your lifestyle or diet, as you could have an underactive thyroid. It's quite common, especially if it runs in your family.

IF YOU ARE ... feeling tired when you're rested, but better when you're active.

It could be, you need to be more active. This doesn't have to involve going to the gym, it could be getting off the bus a few stops earlier or using the stairs instead of the lift.

But if you're also ... experiencing weight loss or gain, having trouble sleeping and inexplicably low moods that you can't shake off, you may be struggling with a mild to moderate form of depression. Everyone suffers a degree of depression at some point in their life. Exercise can be just as effective as antidepressants and most mild cases resolve themselves.

It's time to see your GP if ... you've experienced panic attacks, severe anxiety or intrusive, unpleasant thoughts.

IF YOU ARE ... feeling tired, thirsty and faint the day after you've been active.

It could be, you're dehydrated. We need water to run the body's essential systems. If you don't drink enough water or drink too much tea, coffee or alcohol you might get headaches, nausea and tiredness.

But if you're also ... sneezing a lot, have a runny nose and watery eyes, you could have a fever. It can develop at any age, and is more likely if you have a family history of hay fever, eczema or asthma.

It's time to see your GP if ... you have achy muscles and tiredness a long time after an illness (such as glandular fever), as a viral infection can trigger fatigue syndrome. One in 200 women develop it. Your GP can only offer symptom relief. So work through it with regular rest, healthy eating and moderate activity, such as walking.

... what I read

4 comments:

The Aminos said...

I'm always tired because i find my is like a routine. Same thing again and again. Now that I just got a new baby, feel energetic a bit.

Unknown said...

hallooo

Elsa said...

hhm.... great info

Lan said...

tok ku suka maca your blog..nang banyak info :)