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What Causes Constant Tiredness In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Feb 2017
Question: I am 75 years old and take several meds. My question is why am I tired all the time. Wake up tried and very sleepy. I take Lorizapam .05 mg every night and a melotomie. That is the only way I can get ay sleep.
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Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
List of the possible causes for your tiredness ma'am, require some investigations too

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome to HCM.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Taking into consideration your medical history, age and sex, there are a few causes that could be leading to your lethargy or tiredness:

From your history:

+Restless leg syndrome: Can result in poor quality of sleep which can also result in day time tiredness and lethargy

+Sleep apnea: Due to difficult in falling asleep or staying asleep, most patients with sleep apnea have poor quality of sleep which can also result in tiredness. I recommend you speak to your prescribing doctor to help better use of your CPAP machine

+Pramipexole use: Tiredness is also a common side effect of this medication, among a long list of other side effects

Other possible causes which should also be ruled out:

+Anemia: Is on top of the list, and I would recommend a blood test to rule out/confirm the same

+Menopause related: Can result in lethargy as a common symptom

+Nutritional deficiencies: Another common cause (e.g. iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B9, etc.)

+Dehydration: You need to be taking at least 2-3 liters of fluids per day

+Conditions which are causing bleeding: These can also result in anaemia and thus the tiredness

+Chronic conditions: Diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, arthritis, kidney diseases, etc.

I would thus recommend an elaborate evaluation (primarily blood tests) to rule out other causes and accordingly direct treatment for the 3 top most suspected causes on the list ma'am. Please also speak to your treating doctor to help with either avoiding this side effect or with better management. I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write to me, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Constant Tiredness In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: List of the possible causes for your tiredness ma'am, require some investigations too Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome to HCM. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Taking into consideration your medical history, age and sex, there are a few causes that could be leading to your lethargy or tiredness: From your history: +Restless leg syndrome: Can result in poor quality of sleep which can also result in day time tiredness and lethargy +Sleep apnea: Due to difficult in falling asleep or staying asleep, most patients with sleep apnea have poor quality of sleep which can also result in tiredness. I recommend you speak to your prescribing doctor to help better use of your CPAP machine +Pramipexole use: Tiredness is also a common side effect of this medication, among a long list of other side effects Other possible causes which should also be ruled out: +Anemia: Is on top of the list, and I would recommend a blood test to rule out/confirm the same +Menopause related: Can result in lethargy as a common symptom +Nutritional deficiencies: Another common cause (e.g. iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B9, etc.) +Dehydration: You need to be taking at least 2-3 liters of fluids per day +Conditions which are causing bleeding: These can also result in anaemia and thus the tiredness +Chronic conditions: Diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, arthritis, kidney diseases, etc. I would thus recommend an elaborate evaluation (primarily blood tests) to rule out other causes and accordingly direct treatment for the 3 top most suspected causes on the list ma'am. Please also speak to your treating doctor to help with either avoiding this side effect or with better management. I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write to me, I am always here to help. Best wishes.