It’s normal to feel tired once in a while. Life can be get pretty crazy, after all. But if you’re always feeling bogged down, there might be something else going on. An underlying condition may be the blame, so it’s important to pay attention to other symptoms.
10 Possible Diseases That Make You Tired
Here are 10 possible diseases that can cause extreme fatigue.
1. Celiac Disease
If you have celiac disease, your digestive system can’t absorb nutrients properly. This disease can lead to iron deficiency anemia or vitamin B12 folate deficiency anemia, both of which can cause fatigue.1 Pay attention to what you’re eating and how you feel afterward.
2. Anemia
Your body depends on red blood cells to deliver oxygen. But if there isn’t enough red blood cells, you’ll feel extremely tired.2 This condition is known as anemia and can be caused by low iron, vitamin B12, or folate intake. It can also happen from a hormonal imbalance.3
3. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Conditions like mental stress or the flu can cause chronic fatigue syndrome.4 And while the exact cause isn’t clear, it’s four times more common in women. Other symptoms include insomnia, lack of focus, and confusion.5
4. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, develops when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. These hormones regulate the normal processes of every cell. When there isn’t enough, you can feel weak and tired. Hypothyroidism can also cause joint pain, depression, and constipation.6
5. Diabetes
Diabetics have hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar. This can be controlled by medications and smart food choices. If not, sugar levels will spike, leading to fatigue. Blurry vision and headaches can also crop up.7 Diabetes is also linked to a high BMI and sedentary lifestyle, two factors that can reduce energy levels.8
6. Depression
Depression can make it hard to sleep properly, leading to extreme tiredness. Mysterious physical issues, like back pain, can also interfere with sleep. The intense feelings of sadness can be taxing on both the body and mind.9
7. Anxiety
If you have an anxiety disorder, you might find it hard to relax. This can mess with your sleep cycle, just like depression. Apart from physical symptoms, fatigue also include muscle tension, headaches, and unexplained sweating.10
8. Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological problem that causes unpleasant feelings in the legs. In some cases, there’s a crazy urge to move them around. And since RLS starts when the legs aren’t moving, it’s no surprise that it will disrupt sleep.11 The outcome is lack of rest and feeling tired.
9. Sleep Apnea
It can be difficult to snooze if you have sleep apnea. It’s a common condition that causes you to stop breathing (or have shallow breaths) during sleep. This pause moves you from a deep sleep to a light sleep, even if it only lasts a few seconds. In fact, sleep apnea is the top reason for daytime fatigue.12
10. Mononucleosis
Most commonly known as “mono”, this viral infection is usually diagnosed in young adults. Symptoms typically include high fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands. However, the symptom of fatigue is especially extreme. It can last for months, even after the other symptoms go away.13
Before you run to the doctor, make sure you’re getting eight or nine hours of sleep each night. But if you’re still feeling tired, make an appointment. With your doctor’s help, you can work toward getting your energy back to normal.
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