Feeling Tired in the Morning

Most people have had to deal with fatigue during hectic times in their lives. However, there are many for whom it is a debilitating everyday problem. Feeling of tiredness in the morning is a complaint often heard of, especially from women. Weariness or lack of energy are all symptoms of fatigue. While it is normal to feel tired after physical exertion, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep, fatigue in the absence of any of these conditions can signal an underlying psychological or physical disorder. If you are getting enough sleep, consume a nutritious diet and have a low-stress environment, yet are constantly tired, you need to be evaluated by a doctor.

There exists a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which makes one suffer from months of persistent fatigue, muscle pain, and impaired memory and concentration. According to a study accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), abnormally low morning concentrations of the hormone cortisol may be correlated with more severe fatigue in CFS patients, especially in women. Nonetheless, the condition CFS is not very well understood, and usually all other possible causes of fatigue are investigated before this diagnosis is made.

Causes of Tiredness

I've heard many people ask, 'Why am i so tired from the beginning of the day?'. Some of the common reasons are:

• Insufficient sleep (less than 8 hours, though some people may need more)
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances
• Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, or narcolepsy
• Depression or grief
• Anemia (including iron deficiency anemia)
• Thyroid disease (Underactive or overactive thyroid gland)
• An allergy that leads to hay fever or asthma
• Persistent pain
• Use of alcohol or drugs such as cocaine or narcotics, especially with regular use

Tiredness also accompanies the following illnesses:

• Malnutrition
• Addison's disease
• Liver disease
• Anorexia or other eating disorders
• Kidney disease
• Arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
• Congestive heart failure
• Cancer
• Infection, especially one that takes a long time to recover from or treat such as bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart muscle or valves), parasitic infections, AIDS, tuberculosis, and mononucleosis

The manner in which you feel tired will help your doctor narrow in on its cause. If you are always tired in the morning, and continue to feel tired during the day, it might be due to depression. However, if you wake up feeling rested but start feeling tired as your activity filled day progresses, you may have a condition like an underactive thyroid. One should also know the drowsiness or fatigue are a side effect of certain medications, including antihistamines for allergies, blood pressure medicines, sleeping pills, steroids, and diuretics.

Dealing with Tiredness

The only way to of how not to be tired in the early hours of the day is to try to get to the root cause of your fatigue. You can begin making eliminations by ensuring you get sufficient sleep, eating a nutritious diet and not cramming too many activities into your day. Start by getting sufficient amounts of sleep consistently. Go to bed and wake up at the same time, and if you are still tired after eight hours of sleep, be aware that you may need nine. Part from a well-balanced, healthy diet, ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. You may be surprised to learn that regular exercise also helps, for over time it will raise our stamina and energy levels. Ask your doctor about taking a multivitamin, and which one is best for you. Also avoid alcohol, nicotine, and drug use. One fact to be aware of is that some antidepressant medications may cause or worsen fatigue; stimulants (including caffeine) can worsen the problem when stopped and sedatives tend to worsen fatigue in the long run.

If feeling tired in the morning or through the day is interfering with your life, you may consider making some major changes. If your job is too demanding, you may need to change it. Also consider taking a vacation, and dealing with problems in your relationships. If you have crammed too much into your day, cut out some activities and learn to say no. Learning to relax is crucial for those who get stressed easily.