It is usually a family member or a caregiver who first notices the signs of extreme tiredness in their older relatives or patients, respectively. It may start with sudden and unexpected naps while the person is otherwise engaged, such as reading, watching television or even talking on the telephone. Other signs and symptoms include still feeling tired first thing in the morning after a full night of sleep, feeling the need to sit down and rest often, a lack of motivation to engage in normal daily activities, and the inability to successfully interact with others due to an all-encompassing lack of energy.
While it is true that men and women do tend to lack a certain amount of energy as they approach old age and, in some cases, frequent sleepiness could be normal, it is always best to visit your doctor to undergo a complete assessment. This is crucial to the ability to rule out serious illnesses that may be tied to the extreme fatigue, including depression, cancer and stroke risk factors, all of which can be treated when detected early.
Depending on the diagnosis and the cause of the regular feelings of exhaustion, your doctor may offer a multifaceted treatment plan to help alleviate the symptoms. These may include specialized exercise routines, yoga, tai chi and regular meditation. The combination of moderate physical activity and mental focus has been proven effective at combating sleepiness in older individuals facing this type of problem. Changes in diet can help considerably as well, providing the mind and body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain consistent energy throughout the course of the entire day.