Have you become tired of feeling tired? If so, NHS GP and TV doctor, Amir Khan has identified the most common causes of the problem – and explained what you can do to try and resolve it.
The NHS advises that adults should aim for an average of seven to nine hours of sleep, while children require between nine and 13 hours depending on their age. If you’ve been feeling tired for a few weeks without knowing why, if your fatigue is impacting your daily life, or if you’re experiencing other symptoms like weight loss or mood changes, it is recommended that you consult a doctor.
In addition, if someone tells you that you make gasping, snorting or choking noises while sleeping, it’s worth seeking medical advice.
“As GPs it’s one of the things we get asked about most and there are so many possibilities,” said Dr Khan, who is best known for his appearances on Lorraine. He then proceeded to list several causes of tiredness.
Lifestyle choices
“Poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, stress and burnout can all cause tiredness,” the doctor continued in a TikTok video. “Furthermore, being a busy parent or having caring responsibilities can also contribute to fatigue.”
Sleep quality
“I tell my patients that anything that might be impacting getting a good night’s sleep including work patterns and work stress can of course contribute,” Dr Khan continued.
Medication
The GP also highlighted that he frequently reviews the medication of those suffering from fatigue, as this could identify any “culprits” causing their exhaustion.
“Things like sedatives, antipsychotics, opioids, anti-convulsants, antihistamines and beta blockers are common examples of drugs which can cause you to be tired all the time,” he said.
However, he emphasised that one should never alter or cease any medication without consulting a doctor beforehand.
Existing conditions
“There are a number of medical conditions that simply have tiredness as a symptom,” Dr Khan went on to note. “Things like infections, heart disease and heart failure, POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), chronic lung conditions, mental health disorders, lupus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid issues, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and of course, cancer.”
Nutrition
Dr Khan also advised that nutritional deficiency can result in excessive tiredness – particularly highlighting iron deficiency, anaemia, low levels of Vitamins D and B12 and folic acid as some of the most common issues he’s encountered. Furthermore, he pointed out that eating disorders resulting in both underweight and overweight conditions can also contribute.
The doctor concluded: “You must get any underlying causes of tiredness treated and any unexplained tiredness or tiredness associated with worrying symptoms like weight loss should always be investigated.
“But things we can all do to improve our energy levels include getting a good night’s sleep – aim for seven to eight hours, avoid or reduce alcohol, eat a balanced diet, manage stress by making time for the things you enjoy, exercise or move regularly and maintain a healthy weight.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
