Why Do I Often Feel Tired and Sleepy?

Some people always feel sleepy, lack energy throughout the day, and have poor sleep quality at night. They often feel physically exhausted and have a strong desire to sleep. This phenomenon should be taken seriously, as constant feelings of drowsiness can easily affect work efficiency during the day and also lead to a decline in memory. Frequent feelings of drowsiness are likely caused by poor sleep quality and may also be related to physical illnesses. Let's take a look at the reasons for frequent feelings of drowsiness:

1. Short Sleep Duration and Poor Sleep Quality

Many young people tend to become more excited at night or stay out late, resulting in insufficient sleep of less than 7 hours or even less than 5 hours the next morning. Lack of adequate sleep naturally makes it easy to feel sleepy during the day. Additionally, some people have poor sleep quality, experiencing frequent dreaming and snoring during sleep, leading to feelings of fatigue upon waking up the next day. Over time, this can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and symptoms of dizziness, potentially resulting in neurasthenia.

2. Abnormal Blood Sugar and Lipid Levels

Persistent feelings of drowsiness and lack of energy may be caused by issues with blood lipids and blood sugar. If the cause is hypoglycemia, having smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the occurrence of low blood sugar levels. If the issue is related to high blood lipids, medication such as simvastatin can be prescribed by a doctor as a treatment option.

3. Narcolepsy and Other Underlying Conditions

Drowsiness and excessive sleepiness are not always standalone symptoms but can be part of other physical illnesses, such as infectious diseases, endocrine disorders, metabolic imbalances, or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, persistent feelings of fatigue and drowsiness should be taken seriously, and individuals should seek medical attention to identify the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment.

4. Depression and Stress

People with depression or high stress levels often indulge in excessive thinking, which can lead to a loss of purpose in life and a lack of positive motivation. This can result in a mentally unstable and exhausted state, increasing the likelihood of feeling sleepy.

5. Anemia

Fatigue and excessive sleepiness are common symptoms of anemia, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tinnitus, vertigo, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are often caused by anemia affecting the muscles or the nervous system. Although food is no longer scarce in modern times, insufficient absorption of iron and certain amino acids due to digestive issues or dietary habits can still lead to anemia.