Guide To The Causes Of Lethargy

When individuals suffer from lethargy, they’re tired and sluggish. They feel unmotivated to do anything and would rather lie down and rest all day than do anything productive. It’s difficult to get out of bed and feel accomplished when lethargy hits. However, it’s a common health concern in many individuals. It’s very common when someone is coming down with an illness such as the flu or a common cold, and it’s also a common symptom of other illnesses. Lethargy is often one of the first signs someone is coming down with something, but there are times when it’s caused by something more serious than a common cold.

It’s time to become familiar with a few of the underlying causes of lethargy.

Hyperthyroidism Or Hypothyroidism

Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can both cause lethargy. When the thyroid does not work properly, it causes a myriad of health concerns. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the gland produces too much of the hormone it needs to function the way it should. Hypothyroidism is the opposite, and it occurs when the gland doesn’t make enough of the hormone it needs to work correctly. Both are a cause for concern, but both are treatable issues. Most patients who suffer from either have the same health issues. They’re tired, don’t have much energy, and find it difficult to find enjoyment in life. It can affect appetite, sleep patterns, and even the body's sensitivity to heat and cold. Patients may lose weight quickly, or may put it on quickly depending on their symptoms. If individuals notice any of these signs, it’s time to call a doctor.

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Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious problem. It affects the individual's ability to get a good night of sleep, which can cause them to feel lethargic, tired, and unmotivated. It occurs when their breathing is abnormal during the night. An individual's breathing stops and starts on its own throughout the night, which is a dangerous way to sleep. Most patients who suffer from this notice a full night of sleep still leaves them tired and groggy in the morning, and many who have bad snoring issues are also suffering from sleep apnea. There are several types of sleep apnea, and some are more common than others. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax so much during sleep that they no longer allow the patient to breathe. Central sleep apnea occurs when the patient's brain isn’t sending the right messages to work to breathe to the muscles in their throat. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of both of these. Sleep apnea is treatable, so patients need to call their doctor to discuss their options for better health once they notice symptoms.

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Meningitis

Meningitis is dangerous because it often fools individuals into thinking they are suffering from the flu since the symptoms are all the same. Patients feel lethargic and have no energy. Even lifting their hand to take a drink of water can feel like so much work. When dealing with meningitis, patients often cannot eat, sleep, or do anything. It’s not an uncommon illness, which is why most patients assume they are suffering from the flu rather than anything worse. However, meningitis can last a lot longer than the flu, and it can have some deadly consequences if patients are not careful. It’s an infection that causes the membranes around the spinal cord and brain to swell. This is dangerous as this is the patch the body uses to transmit information from the brain to the rest of the body. It causes patients to feel weak, lethargic, and like they cannot do anything else. Meningitis is not going away after a few days or even a week like the flu, and it can become much worse over time. A sudden high fever, a stiff neck, and even seizures can be a sign of meningitis, and patients need to seek help right away to treat it.

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Kidney Failure

Kidney failure occurs in more than 200,000 cases each year in the United States alone. This health problem is caused, in most part, by other health issues that have gone untreated and unresolved. When patients ignore health problems and let them get worse, they damage the kidneys until they are no longer capable of functioning in the correct capacity. This causes the kidneys to stop working to remove the toxins from the body, which causes additional health problems. One of the most common signs of kidney failure is lethargy. However, it’s not always easy to tell this is happening as it’s also a sign of so many other health problems. If a patient's lethargy is accompanied by itching, muscle cramps, and swelling in the hands and feet, it’s time to call the doctor. Other symptoms to watch out for in conjunction with lethargy include a lack of hunger, problems breathing and sleeping, and a concerning concentration or lack of urine.

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Improper Nutrition

Improper nutrition is not just a weight problem for most individuals. It’s a problem that affects everything from the way individuals look to the way they feel. When individuals consume a poor diet, they affect so much more than what’s on the scale. They are not only gaining weight that’s not good for their health, but they're also changing the appearance of their skin, hair, and nails. Patients don’t sleep well and due to this, suffer from lethargy. They will also find it difficult to accomplish even the smallest tasks because they have no energy. They'll also have problems using the bathroom, and are easily bruised when injured. Some individuals are not able to fight off infection and illness because their immune system is weak. Finally, a patient's mood and general mental health are greatly affected. If individuals feel tired all the time and they know your diet is lacking proper nutrients, it’s time to make some dietary lifestyle changes.