Sleepless in the Cedar Valley

My problem is that I’m tired all the time. I get almost 8 hours of sleep almost every night, but when I have to get up I’m still sleepy, and I feel fatigued all day at work. Then when I get home I can’t wait to go to bed. But the next day is just the same. This is affecting my productivity at work, and my home life. It’s all I can do to get a decent dinner on the table. My husband deserves better. Any ideas what’s going on with me?

Dear Sleepless,

Less than 7-8 hours sleep can be bad for your health and concentration, but it sounds like you are getting enough sleep. You may have a sleep disorder, in which case a visit to the doctor is in order. But let’s explore some other ideas here. See if any of them apply.

Some people think they’re sleeping enough, but sleep apnea gets in the way. It briefly stops your breathing throughout the night. Each interruption wakes you for a moment, but you may not even know it. You could be sleep-deprived even though you are in bed eight hours. To fix it, lose weight if you’re overweight, quit smoking if that’s an issue, and sleep with a device to help keep airway passages open at night.

Eating too little causes fatigue, but eating the wrong foods can also be a problem. A balanced diet will keep your blood sugar in normal range and prevent that sluggish feeling when your blood sugar drops. To fix it, always eat breakfast and try to include protein and complex carbs in every meal. For instance, eat eggs with whole grain toast. Eat meals and healthy snacks like fruit or veggies throughout the day to sustain energy.

Anemia is a leading cause of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency. Red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen to your tissues and organs. To fix it, take an iron supplement, and eat iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, liver, shellfish, beans, and enriched cereal. Check labels to look for iron-rich foods.

Depression is an emotional disorder, but it can contribute to fatigue, headaches, and loss of appetite as well. If you have been tired and “down” for more than a couple of weeks, see your doctor. To fix it, he/she may prescribe psychotherapy and/or medication.

Hypothyroidism may be the culprit. The thyroid is a small gland at the base of the neck that controls your metabolism. When your body converts fuel into energy too slowly, you may feel sluggish and put on weight. A blood test may confirm that your thyroid hormones are too low. To fix it, synthetic hormones can bring you back up to speed.

Other causes may be caffeine overload, diabetes, dehydration, heart disease, food allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, or just a lack of exercise. You deserve a better quality of life. You may need a doctor to help wake you up!