Everyone feels tired from time to time, but for some older adults, that tired feeling doesn’t go away.
It becomes a daily struggle that affects everything from mood to mobility. Most people assume fatigue comes from poor sleep, stress, or simply getting older.
While those are common causes, there are also some lesser-known reasons that might be behind constant tiredness. Knowing about these hidden causes can help people find better answers and start to feel more like themselves again.
One surprising cause of long-term fatigue is chronic infection. Infections like Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, or undiagnosed hepatitis can stay in the body for a long time. Even after the main symptoms go away, these infections can quietly cause problems like tiredness and body aches.
Because the symptoms can be mild or look like other illnesses, these infections are often missed. For example, Lyme disease, which comes from tick bites, may start with flu-like symptoms. But if left untreated, it can cause ongoing tiredness and joint pain. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment early can make a big difference.
Another possible cause is a hormone issue called adrenal insufficiency. This happens when the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol, the hormone that helps the body deal with stress and keeps energy levels steady.
When cortisol is too low, a person may feel weak, dizzy, or completely worn out, especially during stressful times. This condition is sometimes related to autoimmune diseases like Addison’s disease and usually requires hormone therapy to help restore energy levels.
Some people also develop fatigue due to rare genetic conditions like mitochondrial diseases. These affect the parts of cells that create energy.
Even though these disorders are not common, they can sometimes appear later in life and be confused with normal signs of aging. In these cases, energy doesn’t come back with rest. Special tests or genetic screening can help identify these conditions and lead to treatments that improve how people feel.
Autoimmune diseases are another cause to consider. In these conditions, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues by mistake, leading to pain, inflammation, and exhaustion.
Conditions like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, or polymyalgia rheumatica often show up with more than just fatigue. People may also have joint pain, dry eyes, or stiff muscles. These illnesses are more likely to affect older adults and women. Medicines, lifestyle changes, and support from doctors can help manage them.
Rare sleep disorders are another factor. Some people may have conditions like narcolepsy or advanced sleep phase syndrome, which make it hard to get restful sleep. These disorders aren’t always obvious, so they can go undiagnosed. But sleep studies and expert care can often uncover the issue and provide treatment to improve sleep and energy.
Nutritional problems can also play a role. While iron deficiency is well known, less common shortages of nutrients like vitamin B12 or folate can also leave people feeling run down.
As people age, their bodies may not absorb nutrients as well, or they might follow diets that leave out important vitamins. Taking the right supplements or making changes in eating habits can lead to big improvements.
In some cases, fatigue is an early sign of something more serious, like blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma. These illnesses can cause tiredness, weight loss, night sweats, and fevers. While it can be scary to think about cancer, catching it early makes treatment more effective.
Fatigue in older adults is often more than just tiredness. It can be a clue to something deeper going on in the body. If the usual reasons don’t explain it, it’s worth digging deeper with a doctor’s help. With the right tests and attention, even rare causes of fatigue can be found and treated, giving people a chance to get back the energy they need to enjoy life.
If you care about pain management, please read studies about Scientists find a new drug for chronic nerve pain and findings of Scientists find a new, less-invasive way to tackle knee pain.
For more about pain, please read studies about Scientists find a new way to manage knee pain and findings of Promising new drug offers hope for chronic nerve pain relief.
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