If you’re chronically tired, you’ve probably tried to solve your sleep troubles on yourown. But what if your exhaustion is a symptom of something more serious?

Conditions That Can Cause FatigueIf you have obstructive sleep apnea, your airway getsblocked while you sleep, and you stop breathing. Thiscauses you to gasp for air and wake up. Theseepisodes may happen so quickly that you’re unawareof them. Over the course of a night, these episodescan significantly reduce how much quality sleepyou’re getting.

Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea include beingmale, over age 40 or overweight or having a largeneck or nasal obstruction.

If you are having trouble falling asleep or stayingasleep, you may have insomnia. Primary insomnia is aproblem of its own, not caused by any other healthcondition.

Secondary insomnia is caused by something else,such as a psychological issue, poor sleep hygiene,illness, drug side effects, chronic pain, restless legssyndrome or sleep apnea.

Those who have circadian rhythm disorder havedifferent sleep and wake patterns than most people.Generally, the body’s internal clock determines whenwe are awake and when we sleep, and it is set by lightand dark.

This disorder can be caused by the effects of shiftwork, and it also can be linked to pregnancy, certainmedications and other health conditions.

Narcolepsy can cause you to fall asleep at any pointof the day, making it a dangerous disorder. It is mostoften caused by a dysfunction in the brain, but thereare treatments available.

How to Get HelpRegularly getting a good night’s sleep is important toyour overall health. If you’re commonly excessivelytired, it’s important to discuss your symptoms withyour doctor, who may recommend a sleep study toget more information about what may be causingyour fatigue.

Sources: American Sleep Association, WebMD®

This information has been created and supplied to you courtesy of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The informationis general in nature and is intended to provide you with an overview of the wellness topic to help you and your family get and stayhealthy. It is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice and care of your doctor. Always speak with your doctor beforestarting an exercise program or diet. If you have any questions or concerns about your health or the health of any of your familymembers, consult your doctor.Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. © 2017 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Three Penn Plaza East, Newark, New Jersey 07105. HorizonBlue.com/gethealthy32093 (0217)

Why Are You So Tired?