Why do you always want to sleep: experts have named unexpected causes of drowsiness and fatigue

Persistent fatigue and excessive sleepiness can significantly affect a person's quality of life and limit their ability to function effectively in everyday life.

What can be the cause of constant sleepiness and what to do about it, sleep experts told SSPDaily

You don't get enough sleep

The issue is not only the quantity of sleep, but also its quality. Poor sleep is probably the main cause of American fatigue, says sleep medicine expert Noah Shigel. Adults typically need 7-8 hours of sleep, but even if you get that much rest, you may not be recovering enough.

Many patients come to Noah and say that they sleep 9 hours a night, but still can't get enough sleep. Environmental disturbances, such as the blue screens of our gadgets, are to blame, the expert explains. Hot or cold air temperatures, an uncomfortable mattress, ambient noise, and sometimes even pets or children in bed are on the same list.

What to do: Try to develop your sleep schedule, go to bed at the same time, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, keep the room cool (ventilate) before going to bed, and avoid gadgets before going to bed.

You may have sleep apnea

Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes temporary cessation of breathing movements during sleep, can also disrupt your sleep and affect its quality. It can be caused by enlarged tonsils, overweight, allergies, etc.

What to do: To cure sleep apnea, you should open the airway located at the back of your throat. To do this, you should seek medical help. Sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol, and losing weight can also help.

You have low iron levels

"Low iron levels affect how much oxygen gets to your tissues and deprive them of sufficient energy," says internist Dana Corriel. This is often accompanied by anemia, but patients can feel tired and have low iron levels without being in the anemic range.

Other symptoms of iron deficiency include pale and dry skin, brittle nails, headache and dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, inflamed or sore tongue, and unusual cravings for ice or starch, explains nutritionist Madeline Basler.

What to do: Eat more foods rich in iron: oysters, shellfish, poultry, and red meat.

The body absorbs animal products better than plant-based ones, but vegetarians and vegans can enjoy foods like white beans, spinach, lentils, and whole grains.

You are lacking in vitamin B12

B12 is an important vitamin found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk. Therefore, some vegetarians, especially vegans, may be deficient in this vitamin. This vitamin is needed for the proper functioning and development of the brain, nerves, blood cells, and other parts of the body.

What to do: Deficiencies can be compensated for through a variety of methods, but the most popular are in oral or injectable forms, says Corriel.

You eat too much sugar

Although the body needs some sugar for energy, if we consume too much of it, we can get unwanted consequences: weight gain, chronic disease, and "sugar crashes" that affect our mood and energy levels, says psychiatrist Dion Metzger.

What to do: Protein is the antidote for these "accidents". It helps to stabilize sugar levels and prevent energy surges and crashes.

Try to eat more vegetables and low-fat, high-protein foods, and try to eat fewer fried foods and sugary snacks like cookies, donuts, and cakes. However, you shouldn't cut out carbohydrates entirely. They are converted into glucose, which is the brain's main food.

You may be depressed

Fatigue, along with changes in sleeping habits, is one of the main symptoms of depression, says Metzger. Other signs can be feeling demotivated when we don't enjoy things we used to get excited about and feeling hopeless.

What to do: Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have this condition. If you've been diagnosed with depression, it can be treated in a variety of ways: sports, relaxation techniques, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.

The cause may be in the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located on the front of the neck, in front of the trachea. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism. If your thyroid hormone levels are low, you may feel tired, says Corriel. Other signs of thyroid dysfunction include feeling cold, depressed, dry skin, hair changes, constipation, and brittle nails.

What to do: A simple blood test will determine if there is anything wrong with your gland. If something is wrong, a specialist will prescribe treatment. It is usually not complicated.

You don't exercise enough

Lying on the couch like a vegetable may not take much energy. The irony is that lack of movement can reduce your energy level in general.

"A sedentary lifestyle can often lead to feelings of fatigue," says Corriel. "Our bodies need movement, and physical inactivity harms our muscles and emotional well-being.

What to do: "Vigorous, aerobic exercise helps maintain good sleep quality, and better sleep will improve productivity, both physically and psychologically," advises Schiegel. He suggests that we do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 6 days a week.

You may have hormone problems

Low testosterone levels in men can make you feel tired, says Siegel. Low cortisol levels in men and women also lead to fatigue.

Elevated estrogen levels and insufficient progesterone in women can make them feel drained and cause moodiness, says integrative nutritionist Alice Vitti.

What to do: Consult your doctor and get tested (usually with your blood or saliva). This will help check your hormones and, if necessary, determine a course of treatment.

The weather may be the cause

If you notice that you tend to be more tired during the winter, it may not be a coincidence. People with seasonal affective disorder show symptoms of depression, including fatigue, due to less light during the short winter days, says Schiegel.

What to do: Light sources like LED lamps can help. Consult your doctor if you think it's necessary.

You may have diabetes

If you have type II diabetes, you may experience fatigue along with other symptoms like increased urination and thirst, hunger, dry skin, and blurred vision.

What to do: Get yourself checked for diabetes, usually with a blood sugar test.

Finally, if you are tired more than usual and feel this fatigue all the time, consult your doctor. Fatigue may be a sign of a more serious health problem.