Last Updated on June 6, 2022 by Nurse Vicky
Can body Pain Make someone Tired?
The words tired and fatigue are often used interchangeably, but the distinction between the two is important.
While tired is a natural state of tiredness, fatigue is sleepy.
This feeling often means you have an underlying problem like anemia or depression.
But what if the underlying cause is something more serious? Is fatigue a sign of an illness?
Or is it just a way of saying you’re “over it?”
Fatigue is a persistent feeling of tiredness or lack of energy
If you’re tired all the time, you’re probably suffering from fatigue.
While some causes of fatigue can be treated, others require medical intervention.
In either case, lifestyle changes can help you manage the symptoms and get back to living a fulfilling life
. However, if you’re experiencing persistent fatigue, a medical checkup is necessary.
Read on to learn how you can get back on track.
The most common causes of fatigue are physical conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain.
Sometimes, a person’s fatigue symptoms occur after strenuous exercise or mental stress.
This type of fatigue may last for a week or longer.
For example, a person suffering from depression may experience fatigue symptoms after a long day of work or activity.
Fortunately, the Mayo Clinic offers a free health information newsletter that can provide valuable information about fatigue.
It is a symptom of chronic pain
Chronic pain can leave you feeling drained and exhausted.
Tiredness from pain can affect your mood and motivation.
It can also manifest as physical symptoms like achy or heavy limbs.
This symptom is closely linked to your chronic pain condition.
Sleep is another important aspect of your health, as your pain may affect your ability to sleep.
If you have difficulty sleeping, your chronic pain could be the cause of your tiredness.
During times of chronic pain, many people may feel exhausted despite their best efforts.
They may spend most of their day merely getting by, and they may struggle to plan their day ahead. Luckily, understanding how fatigue affects chronic pain can help you plan for the future.
To begin, consider what causes your tiredness.
A lack of sleep may contribute to fatigue and weak muscles.
If you find that this is happening to you, it is time to seek treatment.
It is a sign of anemia
If you have been feeling tired and lethargic for no apparent reason, it may be an indication of anemia.
However, if you are experiencing shortness of breath when climbing stairs, or if your mind wanders, it may be a sign of something else.
Anemia is caused by an abnormality in hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen throughout your body.
Without adequate hemoglobin levels, your organs will slow down and you may experience other symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Iron is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, where it is stored until needed to make new red blood cells.
The body needs a certain amount of iron in order to function properly, and anemia makes it difficult for your body to get the proper amount of oxygen and blood to your entire body.
A lack of iron results in fewer healthy red blood cells, which means less hemoglobin carrying oxygen throughout your body.
A lack of red blood cells can result in tiredness, weakness, and inability to concentrate. Fortunately, anemia is treatable with the right care.
It is a symptom of depression
Fatigue is a common occurrence in depressed individuals.
This ailment may affect many aspects of your life, including your ability to perform everyday tasks, your weight, and your cognitive function.
is also linked to depression and lack of sleep.
In addition, fatigue may exacerbate your feelings of hopelessness and loneliness, and make it difficult to separate them from normal, everyday fatigue.
Fortunately, there are ways to differentiate between the two.
Depression is closely related to pain.
The muscles of the scalp and neck are sensitive to pain, and people with depression often subconsciously tense them.
A person suffering from depression may have trouble getting out of bed or may experience extreme fatigue and sleeplessness throughout the day.
Insomnia and sleeplessness are also common signs of depression.
Although depression can make you feel tired and rundown, it is important to note that this symptom is not a sign of mental illness itself.
It is a symptom of insomnia
Aside from pain, other sleep-related symptoms may occur with insomnia.
Pains related to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraine are common with insomnia, and some people may experience generalized muscle pain while sleeping.
Pains are often co-morbid with other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, smoking, or lack of physical activity.
Pains related to insomnia may even be the result of a condition, such as depression.
Research has shown that at least 50 percent of chronic pain patients have difficulty sleeping.
Most chronic pain patients exhibit symptoms of insomnia.
Insomnia can worsen pain symptoms, so understanding the root causes of chronic pain is vital for treating insomnia.
Chronic pain is also a common cause of sleep disturbances.
For this reason, the best way to treat pain is to address the underlying causes.
Chronic pain and insomnia go hand-in-hand. It is important to recognize the difference between feeling fatigued and being physically ill.
While the former is often resolved by taking a nap or a good night’s rest, the latter is usually indicative of a more serious condition.
Even if you do feel tired and sleepy, you may feel temporarily rejuvenated after some exercise.
However, if you are feeling fatigued and lethargic for days on end, you may have an underlying illness that requires more extensive treatment or a change in your lifestyle.
Chronic fatigue and pain can also be symptoms of depression.
When they happen on a regular basis, it can negatively impact your quality of life. Seeing a health care provider for an evaluation may help identify the cause and make suggestions to help you overcome your condition.
Your doctor may suggest tests to check for an underlying medical condition or suggest lifestyle changes that may help
. Chronic fatigue may disappear over time, but the symptoms of chronic pain and illness may recur.
