Why am I tired?

Many people with respiratory illnesses experience fatigue. In fact, having fatigue is almost as common as having shortness of breath. Fatigue is more than simple tiredness and is not relieved by sleep. Fatigue can contribute to an overall lack of energy and brain fog. Feeling fatigued can also affect your mood. Some people may feel depressed, anxious or unable to concentrate on daily tasks.

Although common, fatigue and its impacts are often overlooked. It is important to consider strategies to actively address fatigue.

There are many underlying causes of fatigue in people with chronic respiratory conditions, including:

• Breathlessness: when people are breathlessness they may use a lot of energy just to breathe, which leads to fatigue.

• Reduced physical activity: when people become breathless they often tend to do less and become more sedentary. Energy can be thought of like fuel in the tank. Going to bed with too much fuel in the tank can make it difficult to get good quality sleep and make you more tired the next day.

• Poor sleep: as people become older sleep patterns change. Many people do not sleep as long or as deeply. if you have untreated sleep conditions like sleep apneoa, this can cause further sleep disruption and make your symptoms worse.

• Infections: fighting infections, like the cold or flu, requires extra energy. This can make you feel sapped during the day.

• Comorbid anxiety or depression: some people with chronic illnesses also struggle with anxiety and depression that can make fatigue worse. 

• Deficiencies: low amounts of vitamin D, thyroid hormone, and oxygen-carrying components of your blood (iron and hemoglobin) can contribute to fatigue.

Five Steps to Fight Fatigue

If you are struggling with fatigue, it is important to recognise that it is a symptom that can be managed like any other. The following steps might help to manage fatigue:

1. Managing energy levels

• Pacing yourself and planning your day with periods of rest between exercise and tiring activities can help manage fatigue.

  
  

2. Physical activity and sleep

• Physical activity has been shown to improve fatigue levels. Simple things like walking, gardening, or other activities that you enjoy are helpful.

• For most people pulmonary rehabilitation is useful to develop a personalised program (with the help of your healthcare professional team) which can lead to better quality sleep and lessen fatigue during the day.

3. Breathe better

• Managing breathlessness can actively help manage fatigue. Medications, breathing exercises, windows, fans and breathing aids are just some examples of strategies that can help you breathe better during the night.

4. Stop smoking

• If you are a current smoker or exposed to seconhand smoke through family or friends, it is important to quit or reduce your exposure, as smoking worsens breathlessness and sleep quality. Smoking can worsen your breathlessness and reduce the quality of your sleep, making you fatigued.

• There are many proven strategies to quit smoking. It is important to speak to your doctor to find the right approach for you.

  
  

4. Having a balanced diet

• Having a balanced healthy diet that you enjoy can be beneficial for fatigue.