Feeling tired all the time?

YOUR SYMPTOMS MIGHT GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT'S CAUSING YOUR FATIGUE, SAYS CAMILLA FOSTER

- 

IT’S easy to blame fatigue on busy schedules, late nights or work-related stress, but when tiredness lingers and begins to interfere with everyday life, it may be your body signalling that something isn’t quite right.

Here is some GP-backed advice on how to tell the difference between ordinary tiredness and chronic fatigue, and some of the most common underlying causes of persistent tiredness.

Is fatigue common?

“Fatigue is an extremely common symptom seen in general practice,” says Dr Angela Rai, GP at The London General Practice. “Feeling tired is a normal part of life, but it can also be a symptom of illness. There are numerous causes of tiredness including poor sleep, dehydration and stress, as well as medical causes.

“The symptoms of ‘tired all the time’ [TATT] can be difficult to manage. However, seeing your doctor can help rule out more serious conditions.”

How can we distinguish normal tiredness from chronic fatigue?

“Chronic fatigue is a term usually used for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, otherwise known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,’ says Dr Rai. “Symptoms include feeling tired all the time.”