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‘I’m tired’: harmless or is there more to it?

4 min read

tired woman

Struggling to get out of bed in the morning? Exhausted at the end of your day? You are not alone. A lot of people struggle with fatigue and often do not give the situation much thought. As though it is a normal part of leading an active life. But is it though? When is feeling tired a response to life, and when is it something you should look further into? This blog helps you understand the difference.

Fatigue: a response to life

Busy days, strenuous exercise or short nights: no wonder we feel tired at times. Fatigue is a very normal response of your body when it needs some time off. In most cases, taking a break, a power nap or a good night’s sleep will do the trick.

In other cases, fatigue may persist for a longer period of time. This can be caused by the seasonal clock change, the use of medication or chronic sleep problems. You can also feel tired from too much stress, burn-out or depression. In those cases, a healthy lifestyle can go a long way to help alleviate matters. Get some routine in your life, turn in on time, relax, eat healthily and get some exercise. In some cases, medical supervision may be required. Your doctor may adjust the medication you are on to make you feel less tired or offer professional mental support.

If you continue to feel tired in spite of all this, then perhaps something else is going on.

When should you pay closer attention to fatigue?

Knowing whether your fatigue is normal or a medical problem is not always easy. Some indications suggest that your fatigue is more than just feeling tired:

  • You are not ‘just tired’, you are struggling with persistent fatigue that simply will not go away.

  • Tackling a chore or just getting the day started requires a lot from you. You feel absolutely drained without any energy whatsoever: physically and/or mentally.

  • You feel tired after minimal exertion. You are struggling to keep up any kind of activity, never mind completing a job or activity.

  • Staying awake is a real battle. You feel like you could nod off at any time of the day.

  • You are struggling to focus and/or remember things.

  • You are constantly feeling emotional and irritable.

The general rule in all of this is to be alerted as soon as your fatigue starts having an impact on your work and your social life and is even causing you to cancel planned activities, simply because you haven’t got the energy.

When is fatigue a sign of an underlying medical problem?

Doctors often hear their patients mention that they’re tired. In some cases, a blood test will bring a condition to light such as anaemia, diabetes or a thyroid disorder. But a lot of conditions cannot be detected from your blood.

Heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation are a good example. No fewer than 1 in every 3 adults experiences atrial fibrillation sooner or later. Nonetheless, the condition often goes undetected as up to 40% of people do not have any complaints whatsoever.

Those who do experience signs often notice shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain and dizziness. As well as one of the most common symptoms… fatigue.

tired alarm clock

Why heart rhythm disorders cause fatigue

Research shows that fatigue ranks among the most common symptoms of atrial fibrillation. This fatigue has various causes.

  • Your heart is not working as it should. It is beating a lot faster and/or more irregularly than it is supposed to. Given the strain placed on your body by constantly having to exert itself, it is no wonder this is making you feel tired.

  • The medication to treat atrial fibrillation can make you feel tired.

  • In some cases, your cardiac arrhythmia may be triggered by another medical condition, such as a thyroid problem for instance. In that case, this is linked to your fatigue.

What to do if you’re experiencing fatigue?

Adjusting your lifestyle is a big step in the right direction. If you have persistent fatigue, then it is a good idea to visit your doctor to find out the underlying cause of your fatigue.

As heart rhythm disorders can be a cause of fatigue, it also helps to measure your heart rhythm regularly with FibriCheck. Check your heart rhythm at least twice a day, and especially when you’re experiencing any symptoms.

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