Why am I always tired?

Introduction

Fatigue is a pervasive and debilitating symptom characterized by an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that impairs daily functioning. It is commonly reported across various chronic illnesses and can be influenced by multiple biological mechanisms. Understanding the underlying causes of persistent tiredness is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Key Insights

Inflammation and Immune Response:
- Chronic fatigue is often linked to inflammation and immune system activation, particularly through cytokines and sickness behavior .
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Dysregulation:
- Dysregulation of the HPA axis, which controls stress responses, is associated with fatigue in chronic illnesses such as heart failure, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Autonomic Nervous System Activation:
- Activation of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, is another mechanism contributing to fatigue in chronic conditions.
Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction:
- Fatigue is also linked to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which impair cellular energy production.
Genetic Factors:
- Certain genetic predispositions can influence the severity and presence of fatigue, suggesting a hereditary component.
Accumulation of Metabolic Byproducts:
- In children, fatigue can result from the accumulation of sarcolactic acid in muscles, which the body fails to clear efficiently, leading to a sensation of tiredness even without significant physical activity.

Conclusion

Persistent tiredness can be attributed to a variety of biological mechanisms, including inflammation, HPA axis dysregulation, autonomic nervous system activation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, genetic factors, and the accumulation of metabolic byproducts. These insights highlight the complexity of fatigue and the need for multifaceted approaches to address this pervasive symptom.

Why am I always tired?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

A Systematic Review of Biological Mechanisms of Fatigue in Chronic Illness

Fatigue in chronic illnesses like heart failure, multiple sclerosis, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be linked to inflammation, the HPA axis, and the autonomic nervous system.

Biological mechanisms of chronic fatigue.

Chronic fatigue in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is linked to cytokines, sickness behavior, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic factors.

Fatigue in Children

Fatigue in children is caused by exhaustion of energy-supplying substances in muscles, or by an accumulation of excess sarcolactic acid, which can be removed by oxidation processes.

Fatigue as a response to environmental demands in women's lives.

Internal demands like depression and anxiety are more significantly related to fatigue and vitality in women's lives than external demands like negative life events or employment status.

Conceptualising the neurobiology of fatigue

Fatigue should be divided into two subtypes, 'hypoaroused fatigue' associated with increased daytime sleep and 'hyperaroused fatigue' characterized by difficulties in falling asleep.

Fatigue in neurological disorders

Chronic fatigue is a common symptom in neurological diseases, with various causes and treatments.

Fatigue as a symptom or comorbidity of neurological diseases

Fatigue is a prevalent and challenging symptom in neurological diseases, negatively impacting quality of life and early retirement, with inconsistencies in defining it and limited evidence-based treatments.

Why Is Your Active Patient Tired?

Improper sleep, eating, and training practices may be all that's needed to help active patients shake fatigue.

Genetic contributions to self-reported tiredness

Trainedness is a partly heritable, complex phenomenon influenced by factors such as BMI, HDL cholesterol, and neuroticism, and is associated with various physical and mental health traits.

Office Evaluation of the “Tired” or “Sleepy” Patient

A detailed neurologic and sleep history and exam can help distinguish between fatigue or weakness and determine the underlying cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, aiding in diagnosis and treatment.

Try another search