Feeling tired once in a while is something everyone experiences. But for some older people, this feeling doesn’t go away.
They might wake up tired, stay tired all day, and never really feel full of energy, even after resting or sleeping well. This kind of constant tiredness can make everyday life harder and less enjoyable.
Many people think that being tired all the time must be due to poor sleep, stress, or simply getting older. While those are common reasons, there are also some lesser-known causes that can lead to serious, long-term fatigue. Learning about these hidden reasons can help people get the right help and start to feel better.
One hidden cause of never-ending tiredness is long-lasting infections. Some viruses and bacteria can stay in the body quietly and keep draining your energy. Infections like Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus (which can cause mono), or hepatitis don’t always go away quickly.
They might seem like a mild cold or flu at first, but later they can lead to joint pain, weakness, and serious fatigue. For example, Lyme disease comes from a tick bite and may start with flu-like symptoms, but over time it can cause major tiredness and other health problems. If these infections are caught early and treated properly, people usually feel much better.
Another possible cause is a problem with the adrenal glands. These small glands sit on top of the kidneys and make hormones like cortisol, which helps us handle stress and stay energized.
When the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol, a person might feel dizzy, very tired, or even weak. This is called adrenal insufficiency, and it can happen because of a condition like Addison’s disease. Medicine can help replace the missing hormones and improve energy.
Some people may also have inherited conditions that affect how their cells make energy. These are called mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondria are parts of our cells that act like tiny power plants.
If they don’t work well, the body has a hard time making enough energy, even from food. These diseases are rare but can sometimes appear later in life. Doctors can run special tests to look for them.
Autoimmune diseases are another hidden cause. In these conditions, the immune system, which normally protects us, starts to attack healthy parts of the body. This can lead to long-term tiredness along with other symptoms like joint pain, sore muscles, or dry eyes.
Conditions such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and polymyalgia rheumatica are examples. These often affect women more than men and are treated with medicine and lifestyle changes.
Sleep problems can also be to blame. Some rare sleep disorders make people feel sleepy during the day even if they get enough hours of sleep. Narcolepsy is one example, where people suddenly fall asleep during the day.
Another is advanced sleep phase syndrome, where a person falls asleep very early in the evening and wakes up too early in the morning. A sleep doctor can run tests to check for these problems.
Missing important vitamins is another cause. Most people know that not getting enough iron can lead to tiredness, but lacking vitamins like B12 or folate can also be serious. Older people may have trouble absorbing these vitamins or might not eat enough of them. Taking supplements or eating different foods can help bring back lost energy.
In some rare cases, feeling tired all the time can be an early sign of something more serious, like cancer. This is especially true for blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. If tiredness comes with other signs like losing weight, fever, or night sweats, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
In the end, being tired all the time isn’t something people should just accept. While it often comes from common issues, there are many other possible causes.
Getting a full check-up and asking about less common problems can help people get the right diagnosis. With the proper care and treatment, even rare causes of fatigue can be managed. This can help people feel more like themselves again and enjoy life more.
If you care about health, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K could lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more health information, please see recent studies about common exercises that could protect against cognitive decline, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
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