What’s causing your constant fatigue; understanding stroke risk
Q: I’m dragging around with no energy these days. I never used to feel this way. What could cause me to be so tired all the time? I am 47 and in pretty good shape. — Kevin G., Milwaukee
A: Chronic fatigue — that’s what being tired all the time is called — is something that 20% of folks ages 45 to 86 contend with according to a study in BMJ Public Health — and around 60% of those folks haven’t been able to pinpoint the cause.
What we do know is that fatigue can be the symptom of many things, from sleep apnea and insomnia to hormonal changes, depression, stress, drinking too much, being sedentary, and obesity. Obsessive use of social media or other digital snares can deprive you of needed sleep and fuel fatigue.
Certain medications such as beta-blockers (for high blood pressure), anticonvulsants, sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs can also cause daytime weariness. Chronic fatigue is also associated with specific medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (duh!), Lyme disease, mononucleosis, heart disease/ failure, anemia, and respiratory conditions like COPD.
As a first step, ask yourself if there are lifestyle choices that you’re making that are fueling your fatigue. If so, determine if you can address them yourself (with help from the support and information at Longevityplaybook.com) by adopting a smart sleep schedule (7-8 hours nightly), getting more physical activity daily (30-plus minutes), improving your nutrition (go plant-based, avoiding highly processed foods), and/or avoiding excess alcohol. You may also want to check out the iherb.com blog, “Constant Fatigue: Common Causes + the Best Foods and Supplements to Boost Energy.”
But if your tiredness doesn’t improve with lifestyle changes, or it came on suddenly, you’re losing weight unintentionally, it is accompanied by other symptoms such as sore muscles or headache, or you’re over age 65, it’s important to consult your doctor to determine if there’s an autoimmune condition, hormone imbalance, or chronic disease causing your symptoms. Good luck!
Q: My 37-year-old cousin had a stroke two months ago. I don’t really understand why she had it at such a young age. And does that mean I’m at increased risk? I am 52. Any info would be welcome! — Greg T., Evansville, Indiana
A: It surprises people to learn that about 15% of ischemic strokes happen to young adults and adolescents and that in any given year, around 34% of people hospitalized for a stroke can be younger than 65.
There are three types of strokes: Ischemic stroke happens when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked and accounts for around 87% of strokes. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain ruptures. A transient ischemic attack, AKA mini-stroke, occurs because of a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. It can signal a risk for a major stroke.
The most common causes are high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, head or neck trauma, an irregular heartbeat and smoking or vaping. Smoking — even a little — increases the risk — every five cigarettes you smoke a day increases your stroke risk by 12%. In addition, genetic risks for cardiovascular disease may predispose you, as can diseases like sickle cell anemia.
To reduce your risk, get plenty of physical activity; eat a plant-based diet that avoids highly processed foods, saturated fats and added sugars; maintain a healthy weight; and don’t smoke or vape. Also, have cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly; take any medications prescribed for diabetes and heart disease; and limit alcohol consumption. If you’ve had a stroke, stay in touch with your health care team to prevent another one (around 23% of people who have a stroke will experience a second one).
We hope you and your cousin adopt preventive measures. And check out the iherb.com blog, “Cardiovascular Health,” which lets you know what foods to avoid if taking anti-clotting medication and what may help protect you from stroke or aid in your recovery. (Always discuss supplements with your doctor before taking them).
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to iherb.com, the world’s leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1’s).