Understand why some people experience constant fatigue

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Many people face the challenge of waking up every day feeling tired and low on energy, no matter how much time they spend sleeping. This phenomenon raises the question: why?

I follow a strict sleep routine and prioritize my health, but despite this, when I wake up, I often find myself feeling tired, despite being an active and healthy middle-aged man.

This scenario is not unique; Statistics show that one in five adults globally suffer from persistent fatigue without clear medical causes, suggests a 2023 meta-analysis covering 91 studies from three continents. In the United States, 44% of adults surveyed by the National Sleep Foundation in 2019 admitted that they felt sleepy two to four days a week.

The complexity of the phenomenon of fatigue becomes clear, with its difficult definition and diverse manifestations. Family physician Rosalind Adam, who practices in Aberdeen, UK, highlights how common this complaint is among her patients, which is so common that the UK's National Health Service has a specific abbreviation for it: TATT (“tired all the time”, or “tired all the time”). the time”). the time”).

Fatigue is a multifaceted concept, encompassing not only physical fatigue, as a result of physical exertion, but also emotional and cognitive aspects, such as brain fog and difficulty concentrating. Technological advances have allowed for deeper studies into these less obvious forms of fatigue, but there is still much to understand about their basic neurobiology.

Sleep quality, not just quantity, appears to be a critical factor. Interrupted sleep weakens the brain's waste disposal system, known as the glymphatic system, negatively affecting mental and physical health. Synchronizing sleep with the circadian rhythm, a natural regulator of the sleep-wake cycle, is vital to ensuring restorative rest.

In search of the roots of persistent fatigue, experts take into account factors such as stress, sleep disturbances, respiratory problems, dehydration, as well as the influence of substances such as caffeine and alcohol. A comprehensive approach, which includes a balanced diet, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and stress management strategies, is emerging as a valuable response to combating fatigue. The challenge is to implement these measures effectively, but modifying routine procedures can be a promising step.

With information from the BBC.