NHS GP and television doctor Amir Khan has highlighted the most common reasons people experience persistent tiredness, along with steps to combat it. Speaking in a social media video, he noted that exhaustion is one of the most frequent complaints he encounters in practice.
The NHS advises adults to aim for an average of seven to nine hours of sleep per night, while children require between nine and 13 hours depending on their age. Dr Khan said that if tiredness persists for several weeks, interferes with daily life, or is accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss or mood changes, it is advisable to consult a doctor. He also recommended seeking medical advice if someone is told they make gasping, snorting, or choking sounds while asleep.
Dr Khan listed lifestyle factors including poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, burnout, and the demands of parenting or caring responsibilities as potential contributors. Work patterns and work-related stress can also affect sleep quality, he added. He said he regularly reviews the medication of patients reporting fatigue, pointing to sedatives, antipsychotics, opioids, anti-convulsants, antihistamines, and beta blockers as common culprits. However, he stressed that no one should stop or alter medication without medical advice.
The doctor also noted that many medical conditions have tiredness as a symptom, including infections, heart disease, heart failure, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), chronic lung conditions, mental health disorders, lupus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid issues, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and cancer. Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, anaemia, low levels of vitamins D and B12, and folic acid, can also cause excessive tiredness. He added that eating disorders resulting in being underweight or overweight may play a role.
Dr Khan urged people to get any underlying causes treated and said unexplained tiredness, or fatigue accompanied by worrying symptoms like weight loss, should always be investigated. He advised aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep, reducing alcohol consumption, eating a balanced diet, managing stress by making time for enjoyable activities, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight to improve energy levels.
