Why am I so tired lately?

Question

I eat well - no processed foods, plenty of fresh fruit and veg, fish and various meats. Not low in Iron. I generally get between 7 and 8 hours of solid, uninterupted sleep but wake up feeling absolutely exhausted. Is there something lacking in my diet or could it possibly be that I'm not getting enough fresh air as the weather is generally too wet and cold to do a lot of outdoor activities?

Had a diabetes test on Monday at my doctors advice. It was fine - reading of 4.8, which means nothing to me to be honest!

Answer 1

fresh air, or lack thereof can make the difference. also sunshine...

Answer 2

It is very normal to find waking up in the morning a 'challenge'. I can sympathise with you! I always struggle to awaken. Bed and sleep are just SO comfortable! Once I'm up and about though, tiredness ceases to be a problem. If this is the case too with you, you are OK. However, if you remain tired for the rest of the day read on......

Do you snore?

Some people who think they have had a good night's sleep, have actually had a night of sleep disturbed by intermittent obstruction of the upper airway and snoring. There is 'arousal' from sleep that is not remembered by the sleeper. Sleep quality is poor. People with 'obstructive sleep apnoea', develop lower oxygen and higher carbon dioxide in their blood because of the obstructive problem.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is more likely if you are big (overweight) with a collar size more than 17. It is also worse with alcohol late at night and any sedative medication. Symptoms include day-time sleepiness, tendancy to dose-off during the day, tiredness etc. It can also result in high blood pressure and heart problems. If you are told that you snore and that there are times when you 'stop breathing' followed by a 'gasp' or 'snort' then obstructive sleep apnoea is a strong likelyhood. If this is the case, you ought to see your GP and ask to be referred to a Sleep Clinic, where studies during sleep can be arranged.

If this is not the case, and you have non-snoring sleep, other possibilities include a very sedentary lifestyle (taking exercise and being energetic, increases general 'zest for life'), lack of thyroid hormone or even being depressed (however you have not mentioned feeling fed-up). If your blood sugar is normal, it's highly unlikely that you are diabetic!

Hope that this information helps.

Answer 3

Balanced diet, fresh air and exercise. You're missing the exercise. Why not try and join an indoor club at your local leisure centre if the weather is a problem. Badminton, squash or something like that. It'll make a massive difference. Also, check your bed is okay and it not causing you to sleep in an uncomfortable position, if you're not relaxing your muscles properly then you won't feel like you've slept at all. Also, (and I'm sure you don't) avoid excessive alcohol because your body will be working all night to clear the system and you will feel tired and lethargic when you awake. Above all- visit your G.P. They will be able to help you.

Answer 4

This is a hard one- you may want to look up "chronic sleepiness" on google. I know that my husband never used to sleep well but when he was in boot camp for the army working out all the time made him sleep like a baby- he even started to only need 6 or 7 hours of sleep and was more happy and awake then ever. (even sometimes doing okay on 3 hours! when he needed to) So working out can help, if it's theat crazy working out and not what I mostly do witch is just taking a walk or whatever. If that feeling keeps up though- do talk to your doctor- because life without good sleep is hardly life at all. When you wake up feeling good it makes the whole day feel easy! I'll say a prayer for you! good luck!

Answer 5

I have spoken to many people, who are saying the same thing. There is not necessarily anything wrong, or 'lacking', but just the end of long winter months. It could also be linked to boredom - I know that is the case with me! If you are happy with work and home life then it could be a change in weather and daylight hours that makes things seem different. There is always more to do in Summer!

Answer 6

When you get up in the morning, do some serious stretching. I've started to go to Pilates and I feel invigourated.

I still feel tired occasionally, but come the end of March when the clocks go back or forward or whatever, (I always end up 2 hours out!), that will be the end of the S.A.D. season.

The sunshine and light nights will be uplifting - it's been a long hard winter.

Answer 7

go to your g.p - at this time of year people experience a kind of melancholy.... winter has dragged on and there has been little sunshine,. it could just be a case of winter blues or anaemia but worth getting a check up to be on the safe side. have you tried a little sport? just a brisk walk once a day for 20 mins can have a very positive effect, or swimming or getting on a bike can all raise your endorphines which makes you feel good, gives you more energy and gives a better quality of sleep.

Answer 8

If you have a lot of very very deep sleep you can wake up feeling really tired. I agree with other people on the fresh air/ excercise thing-stuff the rain, put on a coat and got for a walk!

Answer 9

Could be a thyroid problem, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), possibly something to do with a form of anaemia, pregnancy, chronic fatigue syndrome... or it could just simply be a lack of fresh air and sunshine (hard to find at the mo I know!). If it carries on or if you are particularly worried see your doc.

Answer 10

several things spring to mind when you say this.

Seasonal affected disorder, where your mood is linked to how you percieve the weather, so when its wet and damp, you feel lethargic and/or depressed.
This particularly effects people who are active or enjoy good weather.

pre-stage diabetes, an early treatable if caught early, could be something in your diet.

dehydration, this can really effect your body and make you grumpy tired and lethargic. It is the major cause of most
peoples minor ailments in the UK.

Answer 11

You could have too much yeast in your gut which would be resolved by taking a probitic supplement (Seven Seas do a good one called Advanced Formula Multibionta), also Biocare do a good range.
I take a multi-vitamin +flaxeed oil which tops up any vitamin deficincies, as soon as I stop taking them I get really tired, so it's worth thinking about also.