Don ’t take fatigue lying down
Have you ever had one of those days where you are so weary, you can’t seem to do anything except binge-watch Netflix?
Sure, everyone gets tired sometimes, and often bounces back after a quick rest or a good night’s sleep. However, if bouts of fatigue occur more often and last longer, you shouldn’t ignore them.
“Older adults may chalk up fatigue to aging, but there is no reason you should battle ongoing tiredness,” says Dr. Suzanne Salamon, a geriatric physician with Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Here are signs that you should take your tiredness seriously:
inability to do activities you enjoy
waking up exhausted, even after a good night’s sleep
not feeling motivated to begin the day
sudden bouts of exhaustion that go away and then return
shortness of breath.
This type of fatigue can affect your health in many ways. You may have less energy to exercise. You may have trouble concentrating, staying alert, and remembering things. You may anger easily and become more socially isolated.
It’s worth checking in with your doctor
Fatigue also could signal a medical condition, according to Dr. Salamon, and you should consult your doctor to see if you have any of the following issues.
Anemia. This occurs when your blood has too few red blood cells or those cells have too little hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen through the bloodstream. The result is a drop in energy levels.
Heart disease. Heart disease can cause the heart to pump...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Matthew Solan Tags: Health Source Type: blogs
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