Tiredness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Common Causes of Tiredness

Tiredness can stem from many overlapping factors, often more than one at a time. At Omniya Clinic, we investigate your hormonal, nutritional, and lifestyle profile to pinpoint what’s driving your fatigue.

Hormonal changes

• Perimenopause and menopause (oestrogen and progesterone fluctuations)
• Low testosterone in men, and sometimes in women
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Nutritional and metabolic factors

• Low iron or ferritin, vitamin B12, or vitamin D
• Blood-sugar dysregulation, insulin resistance, or weight gain
• Dehydration, or diets low in protein and fibre

Lifestyle and sleep

• Poor sleep quality, irregular sleep times, or sleep apnoea
• Long-term stress, anxiety, or low mood
• Alcohol excess, smoking, or low physical activity

Medical and medication factors

• Post-viral fatigue or chronic inflammation
• Side-effects from certain medicines (e.g. for blood pressure, mood, or allergies)
• Long-term conditions such as diabetes

Seek urgent medical help if you experience chest pain, breathlessness at rest, fainting, sudden weakness, or severe new headaches.

What You Can Do At Home

Small, consistent habits often make a noticeable difference in energy and focus. These foundations support recovery while you work on the underlying causes of fatigue:

• Sleep: Keep a regular schedule, even on weekends. Aim for a cool, dark bedroom, a caffeine curfew after midday, and a wind-down routine that helps your body recognise when it’s time to rest.
• Nutrition: Include protein at every meal, fibre-rich carbohydrates, and plenty of hydration throughout the day. Limiting alcohol on weeknights and ultra-processed foods can also stabilise energy and mood.
• Movement: Engage in daily light-to-moderate activity such as walking, cycling, or yoga, and try to include two strength sessions per week to boost stamina, metabolism, and mental clarity.
• Stress Care: Incorporate brief breathwork or mindfulness breaks, morning daylight exposure, and short walks between tasks to calm your nervous system and improve focus.
• Medication Check: Never stop prescribed medicines abruptly. If you suspect a medication may be contributing to your tiredness, speak to your clinician, a simple review can often help.