Internal Medicine, by video or in person
Always Tired (Fatigue)
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Always Tired (Fatigue)
- Tiredness that does not improve with rest or a good night's sleep
- Waking unrefreshed, or heavy snoring
- Low energy for work, exercise or family life
- Poor concentration or memory
- Low mood or loss of interest in things
Feeling tired all the time is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor. Often it comes from too little or poor sleep, long hours, stress, low mood or a recent infection. It can also be a sign of a medical problem that is easy to test for, such as anaemia from low iron, an underactive thyroid, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or a side effect of a medicine. Snoring with pauses in breathing at night, called sleep apnoea, is a frequently missed cause. A doctor starts with your story and a few blood tests rather than vitamins or tonics.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Tiredness that does not improve with rest or a good night's sleep
- Waking unrefreshed, or heavy snoring
- Low energy for work, exercise or family life
- Poor concentration or memory
- Low mood or loss of interest in things
- Other changes: weight loss, heavy periods, thirst, breathlessness or swelling
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if tiredness has lasted more than a few weeks, is getting worse, or comes with weight loss you cannot explain, night sweats, heavy periods, breathlessness, a lump, or blood in your stool or urine. Go to a hospital or emergency department now for tiredness with chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, confusion, or thoughts of harming yourself.
Treatment options
- A full history of sleep, work, mood, diet and medicines
- Blood tests: a full blood count, iron stores, thyroid function, blood sugar, kidney and liver function
- Treatment of the cause found, such as iron for anaemia or thyroid hormone
- Help with sleep, stress and mood, including talking therapy where needed
- A sleep study when sleep apnoea is likely
Common Questions
Should I take a multivitamin or a blood tonic?
Not as a first step. They rarely fix tiredness and can hide a cause such as low iron or bleeding. Get the cause tested first, then treat what is actually low.
Which tests should I ask for?
A full blood count, ferritin for iron stores, thyroid function, blood sugar or HbA1c, and kidney and liver function cover the common medical causes. A doctor may add others depending on your symptoms.
Can tiredness be depression?
Yes. Low energy is one of the main symptoms of depression, often with poor sleep and loss of enjoyment. It is common and treatable, and worth raising with a doctor.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call, who advises on the right test and treatment, and tells you if you need to be seen in person.
See a doctor by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
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