Feeling tired is something everyone goes through now and then. But for some older adults, tiredness never really goes away. It becomes part of their daily life, making it hard to enjoy simple activities.
While things like poor sleep, stress, or just getting older are common reasons, there are some lesser-known causes of fatigue that many people and even doctors might miss. Knowing about these rare causes can help people get the right treatment and feel better.
One hidden cause of constant tiredness is chronic infection. Some infections can stay in the body for a long time and make people feel drained. These include Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus (which can cause mono), and even hepatitis that hasn’t been diagnosed.
These illnesses often look like other mild health problems at first, so they can be hard to detect. For example, Lyme disease starts with flu-like symptoms and may later lead to extreme tiredness and joint pain. If caught early, these infections can be treated, and the tiredness often goes away.
Another rare cause is a problem with the adrenal glands. These small glands make hormones like cortisol that help control energy and stress. If the adrenal glands don’t work properly, a person may have adrenal insufficiency.
This means the body doesn’t make enough cortisol, and the person may feel weak, dizzy, or very tired, especially during stressful times. This condition can be linked to autoimmune diseases like Addison’s disease and may need hormone replacement treatment.
There are also rare genetic issues that can cause tiredness. One example is mitochondrial disease, where the energy-making parts of cells don’t work well. This kind of disease can lead to deep, constant fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep.
Though rare, these conditions can show up in older adults and are sometimes mistaken for just regular tiredness from aging. Special tests can help diagnose these problems, and certain treatments and lifestyle changes may help.
Some autoimmune diseases are also to blame for fatigue. These diseases happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
Conditions like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, or polymyalgia rheumatica can cause strong tiredness, joint pain, or stiff muscles. These problems are more common in women and older adults and may need a mix of medicine and lifestyle changes to manage.
Fatigue can also be caused by uncommon sleep disorders. Some people have conditions like narcolepsy or advanced sleep phase syndrome that change their sleep schedule and make them feel tired during the day. These conditions are not always easy to spot, but a sleep study or visit to a sleep specialist can help find the cause.
Another reason older adults may feel very tired is due to vitamin shortages. Many people have heard of iron deficiency, but low levels of vitamin B12 or folate can also lead to fatigue. Older adults may not absorb these nutrients as well or may not eat enough of them. Taking supplements or changing the diet can often bring back energy.
Finally, some types of cancer, especially blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, can cause tiredness early on. This kind of fatigue often comes with weight loss, fever, or night sweats. It’s important to talk to a doctor if these symptoms happen together, because catching cancer early makes treatment more effective.
In the end, long-lasting tiredness is a sign that something may not be right. While the common causes are usually checked first, it’s important not to ignore these rare ones. A full health check-up and the right tests can help find the reason and lead to treatments that bring energy back and improve quality of life.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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