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Tiredness and Sleepiness

 

It is not unusual to feel tired at times, especially if you have an active work and social life, or young children.

Before you see a GP, it is worth thinking about some of the factors in your life that could be causing your tiredness. This might include:

  • Working long hours
  • Aspects of family life being particularly tiring
  • Your lifestyle 
  • Any events such as bereavement or relationship break up that can trigger tiredness

If your tiredness continues and doesn’t get any better, then you should consider seeing a GP. Unexplained tiredness is one of the most common reasons people make a GP appointment.

Your GP will look at three areas when looking for the causes of your tiredness:

  1. Psychological – stress, depression, anxiety, emotional shock
  2. Physical – iron deficiency (anaemia), sleep apnoea, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  3. Lifestyle – Alcohol, exercise, caffeine, night shifts, daytime naps

More information and Resources

NHS.uk – Sleep and tiredness

Mentalhealth.org.uk – how to sleep better

Carers.org.uk – help for carers

 

Self Help Tips

Fighting tiredness 

The energy diet

Dealing with insomnia

Sleep tips for children

An NHS self-help guide for sleeping problems