Tiredness is a widespread concern in today’s world, and many people readily dismiss it as a trivial matter that could be resolved through sleep, exercise or an improved diet. While this may hold true for most, Dr Punam Krishan highlighted certain warning signs indicating your exhaustion may have a more serious underlying cause.
Speaking on BBC‘s Morning Live, the GP outlined the distinction between ‘normal tiredness‘ and the fatigue that warrants medical attention. She observed that with “ordinary tiredness”, you can typically identify the underlying cause yourself.
Dr Punam went on to describe the more concerning type of exhaustion people should not ignore: “The one I’m talking about is when you’re feeling absolutely fatigued and wiped out no matter how much you rest and you don’t know why you’re feeling tired all the time.
“It might be something as simple as a vitamin deficiency, low iron levels. It might be your thyroids, it might be blood sugar issues.
“But it can also be a sign of something with sinister. That’s why going in, getting your bloods done, getting a history, getting us to diagnose it could be really really helpful.”
The NHS recommends seeing a GP if you feel tired and:
- It has been going on for a few weeks without a clear reason
- It affects your daily life
- It is paired with other symptoms like weight loss or mood changes
- Someone has said you make gasping, snorting or choking noises when you sleep
Dr Punam shared these findings following a discussion on the latest healthy life expectancy statistics, which revealed that Britons are now falling ill approximately two years earlier than they were a decade ago.
This means many people are spending lengthier periods of their lives in poor health than previously. Dr Punam expressed particular concern for those who delay seeking help when symptoms first emerge.
While the GP encouraged people not to panic, she cautioned: “Sometimes I have people that go; ‘Oh, it started six months ago’. You know what, six months ago if had we seen you, it would be a different outcome.”
She drew attention to several “essential red flags” that could signal something is amiss within the body, including lumps, unexplained weight loss, bleeding and coughs.
Dr Punam made a heartfelt appeal specifically to women and carers, who frequently neglect to prioritise their own health and wellbeing even when unwell. She said: “The sooner we act, the sooner we recognise early symptoms and take action, the better it is for us.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
