Could tiredness be something more serious?
FEELING tired constantly is a common complaint in today’s hectic world – but sometimes exhaustion can be a sign of something more serious. GP Dr Sindhu Siddiqi of the Smart Clinics, London, (thesmart clinics.co.uk) outlines symptoms that are best to get checked.
■ ARE you getting enough rest, but are tired and constantly thirsty? This may suggest you have diabetes. Other symptoms are weight loss, constipation and recurrent infections.
■ IF YOU’RE cold when others aren’t, you’re constipated, and if you’re female, your periods aren’t regular, then you might have an underactive thyroid. This gland produces a hormone called thyroxine, which is essential for smooth running of nearly all our organs.
■ IF YOU’RE feeling more breathless and your heart’s beating faster, you might be anaemic. This means your red blood cells aren’t transporting enough oxygen around your body, so it’s working harder to compensate. Anaemia can be due to not getting enough iron and vitamins in your diet.
■ ANY unintentional weight loss with a normal diet suggests your body is using more calories than it should. Tiredness associated with weight loss can sometimes be due to cancer – the uncontrolled division of cells leads to more energy being used. Any lumps in your neck, armpits or groin that persist for over three weeks require further investigation, regardless of age.
■ TIREDNESS is an early symptom in 80% of people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). If you also have other symptoms, such as electric shock sensations, balance or co-ordination problems, talk to your doctor.
■ IF YOU have joint pains and you’re tired, this can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition where your body triggers inflammation in your joints for an unknown reason.
■ If you’re worried about any symptoms, visit your GP.