Doctors Answers (4)
How long has this been going on? Is it possible that you are anxious or depressed about something? Sometimes, depression or anxiety is at the root of chronic fatigue. With depression, you might be in a depressed mood most of the day and may have little interest in normal activities. In addition to feelings of fatigue, you may eat too much or too little and over- or under-sleep. Anxiety symptoms may include: agitation; difficulty sleeping; excessive worrying; feeling "on alert" most of the time; feeling of impending doom; nervousness. Seek the advice of your physician or a sleep specialist if this is a routine occurrence.
Sometimes your complaint would be related to Insomnia or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Without additional information I cannot help to determine your actual problem. However, if it is affecting your productivity during the day or general well being then you should schedule an appointment with a Board Certified Sleep Specialist.
Having chronic pain, even mildly, can increase your cortisol levels which will make it more difficult for you to sleep. To sleep better, if you are feeling uncomfortable, you should address those issues first.
It is important to differentiate exhaustion form sleepiness. Fatigue can lead to extended periods of time in bed and thus more trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Alternatively, consider an arousal disorder like Restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea creating difficulty falling asleep. Also, optimize sleep hygiene.
