Should I see a doctor: Chronic fatigue

It’s 2pm and you can’t stop yawning. You run through the possible reasons you could be so tired. Were you up all night scrolling on your phone? Have you had any water today? Or maybe this is becoming a recurring issue, and you’re wondering if it’s something more serious.

A healthy sleep routine is key to so many things in life, but on the flipside, there are just as many things that could be causing your chronic fatigue.

What’s ‘normal’

“I’m so tired” is a common complaint many people bring to their primary care provider. The good news is that a few tired days a month is nothing to worry about. Whether it’s stress from work or relationships, changes in your environment or time zone, or you’re still getting over a virus, there are many reasons you may be walking around like a zombie.

There’s nothing to worry about if you can bounce back quickly with a good night’s sleep.

What’s ‘not normal’

If you generally wake up in the morning not feeling rested, or find that you’re tired more days than not, that may be something to pay attention to. Your doctor or other health care provider may want to look into potential underlying causes if you’re already following good sleep practices and living a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle.

There can be any number of explanations, from a thyroid imbalance or sleep apnea, to a vitamin D deficiency or anemia. Less common causes could include heart, gastrointestinal or neurological issues, all of which must be diagnosed by your provider.

If you find you need medication to help you sleep every night, talk to your provider. Melatonin is safe to use on a regular basis, as it’s a naturally occurring, nonaddictive hormone already found in the body that helps regulate your internal clock. Other over-the-counter sleep aids, such as Unisom or Vicks ZzzQuil, can be helpful on a case-by-case basis — but can cause side effects like dry mouth or grogginess.

Caring for your condition

The first step to promoting good sleep is building healthy lifestyle and sleep habits.

The average person needs about eight hours of sleep a night and should focus on getting regular physical activity, eating consistent meals, avoiding drugs and excess alcohol, and drinking roughly eight glasses of water a day.

Your sleep practices are also important, such as having a routine bedtime and wake time, avoiding screens and excess water at least one hour before bed, and creating a quiet, dark space for sleeping. Think about what’s going to help your brain and body relax.

Medical review provided for this piece by Amy Anderson, MD, with MultiCare Rockwood Clinic primary care.