Aug 5, 2008 8:47 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Chronic Fatigue Fears
Always Tired? It May Not Be Because You Work Hard
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
If you're tired all the time, you're not alone. But a lack of sleep may not be the reason why.
Fatigue can be a sign of serious health problems.
Barbara Daley is constantly on the go. She has three young children, a marketing career and heads up a local newcomers group.
"Average days are crazy," Daley said.
That leaves her little time for a decent night's sleep.
"Getting out of bed in the morning is … hard," she said.
Sleep specialist Dr. Kenneth Sassower says when it comes to rest, Americans are running on empty.
"It's really a societal issue," Dr. Sassower said. "People [are] working a couple of jobs, taking care of families, and we're just so tired."
But Daley was convinced there was more to it than her busy schedule.
"I thought, sometimes, maybe it's my thyroid," she said.
Fatigue can be a symptom of thyroid problems and other serious conditions.
"Anemia? Do I have a pre-diabetic condition? Is it something with my heart?" Dr. Sassower said.
Being tired all the time could even be a warning sign for certain forms of cancer. To help determine if your yawning is from your busy life or a medical issue, try a little experiment.
Take a few days off from work. Spend those days eating a balanced diet, free of caffeine, sugar and alcohol and exercise regularly.
"If it's the weekend it's still a problem. Or if vacations are still a problem, then there may be something more to it," Dr. Sassower said.
When in doubt head to the doctor -- a few simple blood tests can clear up the question.
"I was seriously hoping that it was my, you know, that I had an issue with my thyroid, because that's such an easy fix," Daley said. "You can go on medication and just feel so much better."
Daley's test came back normal. It turns out she's just a busy mom.
Fatigue has psychological causes as well as physical ones. If you wake up with a low energy level and feel tired all day, it could be a sign of depression – even if you don't feel sad.
When it comes to illness, both the mind and body can cause symptoms.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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