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Why Are We So Tired?
Research by Don Jibaro
tired (tīr'd) adj. — in need of sleep or rest; weary. FATIGUED, exhausted, worn out, weary, fatigued, dog-tired, dead beat, bone-tired, ready to drop, drained, zonked, wasted, enervated, jaded;

Have you ever noticed that you are just so tired and do not know why? Medical Fatigue is not tiredness caused by running a mile or two. Fatigue (exhaustion, tiredness, lethargy, etc.) is a subjective feeling of tiredness which is distinct from weakness, and has a gradual onset. Unlike weakness, fatigue can be alleviated by periods of rest.

Physical fatigue is the inability of a muscle to maintain optimal physical performance, and is made more severe by intense physical exercise. Mental fatigue is a transient decrease in maximal cognitive performance resulting from prolonged periods of cognitive activity, in other words, A LOT of UNNECESSARY THINKING. It can manifest as somnolence, lethargy, or directed attention fatigue and system collapse.

Medically, fatigue is a non-specific symptom, which means that it has many possible causes. Fatigue is considered a symptom, rather than a sign because it is a subjective feeling reported by the patient, rather than an objective one that can be observed by others. Fatigue and ‘feelings of fatigue’ are often confused.

Physical fatigue, or muscle fatigue, is the temporary physical inability of a muscle to perform optimally. The onset of muscle fatigue during physical activity is gradual, and depends upon an individual's level of physical fitness, and also upon other factors, such as sleep deprivation and overall health. It can be reversed by rest. Physical fatigue can be caused by a lack of energy in the muscle, by a decrease of the efficiency of the neuromuscular junction or by a reduction of the drive originating from the central nervous system.

The central component of fatigue is triggered by an increase of the level of serotonin (stimulant) in the central nervous system. During motion activity, serotonin promotes muscle contraction. During high level of motor activity, the amount of serotonin released increases and a spillover occurs. Serotonin triggers nerve impulse initiation and thereby muscle contraction are limited.

Mental fatigue is a temporary inability to keep mental cognitive performance. This is gradual, and depends upon an individual's learning ability, and also sleep deprivation and overall health. Mental fatigue has also been shown to decrease physical performance. It can manifest as lack of sleep, lethargy, or directed attention fatigue and decreased level of consciousness.

Stress, in contrast, is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger—whether it’s real or imagined—the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight-or-freeze” reaction, or the stress response. So, we can assume that fatigue can lead to stress.

In any case, this can be dangerous when performing tasks that require constant concentration, such as operating large vehicles. For instance, a person who is sufficiently rest may experience microsleep. Fatigue is generally considered a more long-term condition than sleepiness (somnolence). Although sleepiness can be a symptom of medical issues, it usually results from lack of restful sleep, or a lack of stimulation.

Chronic fatigue, on the other hand, is a symptom of a greater medical problem in most cases. It comes as mental or physical weariness and inability to complete tasks at normal performance. Both are similar and even categorized under the description of 'just being tired.'

This Excessive Fatigue is a normal result of working, mental stress, over stimulation or jet lag or active recreation, depression, and also boredom, disease and lack of sleep. It may also have chemical causes, such as poisoning or mineral or vitamin deficiencies. Massive blood loss frequently results in fatigue. Fatigue is different from drowsiness, where a patient feels that sleep is required. Fatigue is a normal response to physical exertion or stress, but can also be a sign of a physical disorder.

Temporary fatigue is likely to be a minor illness like the common cold as one part of the sickness behavior response that happens when the immune system fights an infection.

Chronic fatigue
Prolonged fatigue is a self-reported, persistent (constant) fatigue lasting at least one month. Chronic fatigue is a self-reported fatigue lasting at least six consecutive months. Chronic fatigue may be either persistent or relapsing. Chronic fatigue is a symptom of many diseases and conditions.

Some major categories of diseases that feature fatigue include: multiple sclerosis, blood disorders such as anemia, and even cancer, drug abuse including alcohol abuse, depression and other mental disorders that feature depressed mood, eating disorders, which can produce fatigue due to inadequate nutrition, fibromyalgia, and YES... Heart disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Liver failure, Infectious diseases such as infectious mononucleosis. Leukemia or lymphoma, Lyme disease, Neurological disorders such as narcolepsy, Parkinson's disease and post-concussion syndrome Physical trauma and other pain-causing conditions, such as arthritis Sleep deprivation or sleep disorders Uremia, which is caused by kidney disease
Stroke

Fatigue may also be a side effect of certain medications, e.g. lithium salts, ciprofloxacin; beta (carotene, etc.) blockers, which can induce exercise intolerance; and many cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Diagnosis
Minor dark circles, in addition to a hint of eye bags, a combination mainly suggestive of minor sleep deprivation.One study concluded about 50% of people who have fatigue receive a diagnosis that could explain the fatigue after a year with the condition. In those people who have a possible diagnosis, musculoskeletal (19.4%) and psychological problems (16.5%) are the most common. Definitive physical conditions were only found in 8.2%.

If a person with fatigue decides to seek medical advice, the overall goal is to identify and rule out any treatable conditions. This is done by considering the person's medical history, any other symptoms that are present, and evaluating of the qualities of the fatigue itself. The affected person may be able to identify patterns to the fatigue, such as being more tired at certain times of day, whether fatigue increases throughout the day, and whether fatigue is reduced after taking a nap.

Because disrupted sleep is a significant contributor to fatigue, a diagnostic evaluation considers the quality of sleep, the emotional state of the person, sleep pattern, and stress level. The amount of sleep, the hours that are set aside for sleep, and the number of times that a person awakens during the night are important. A sleep study may be ordered to rule out a sleep disorder.

Depression and other psychological conditions can produce fatigue, so people who report fatigue are routinely screened for these conditions, along with drug abuse, poor diet, and lack of physical exercise, which paradoxically increases fatigue.

Basic medical tests may be performed to rule out common causes of fatigue. These include blood tests to check for infection or anemia, a urinalysis to look for signs of liver disease or diabetes mellitus, and other tests to check for kidney and liver function, such as a comprehensive metabolic panel. Other tests may be chosen depending on the patient's social history, such as an HIV test or pregnancy test.

Stay Well...