Why Am I Slowing Down? Patients often ask, why am I slowing down? Those who have a chronic medical condition - be it heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or others - tend to blame that condition and at times it can be that something has changed. However, often it is something different and unidentified that can cause feelings of fatigue, lack of energy, and decreased tolerance of activity. Lung disease can contribute to fatigue because, when severe, it can interfere with the body getting in enough oxygen to fuel normal function. Often this occurs gradually as the condition worsens and advancing age makes it harder for the individual to compensate for the detriment as well as they did in the past. The reason heart disease causes fatigue is similar. The body may be getting enough oxygen through the lungs, but the diseased heart is not able to pump well enough to distribute that oxygenated blood to itself or the rest of the body. This can be a gradual process, but if a blockage suddenly forms in one of the arteries to the heart or it unexpectedly starts to beat in an abnormal rhythm, the change can be more rapid or even abrupt. Anemia, a lower than normal red blood cell count, can also result in a lack of energy. Red blood cells carry oxygen within the blood to various parts of the body. If there are fewer red blood cells, less oxygen can be carried, and the body suffers for lack of it. Metabolic problems can also affect energy levels and exercise tolerance. The thyroid modulates the level of metabolism. When there is not enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism slows, and less energy is available. Other hormones, particularly those from the adrenal glands such as cortisol and adrenaline, as well as the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, can affect energy levels too. Certain changes in these hormones may be age-related, but others can be a sign of some disease process. In those with diabetes, increasing fatigue can be a sign that the blood sugar is either too high or too low, or that the disease is causing damage to other parts of the body, such as the heart or kidney. Significant liver or kidney problems can also cause a lack of energy. Both organs break down and filter toxins from the body. When they are not working properly, toxins can start to build up causing symptoms. There are also illnesses that affect the immune system, commonly called autoimmune diseases, which have varying levels of fatigue as a hallmark of the illness. For example, if you have joint issues, you think are simply arthritis, but also have fatigue, you might have an autoimmune form of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis, Lupus, and Sjogen's Syndrome are some other examples of autoimmune diseases. There are many others, all with various symptoms, but fatigue can be seen in most. Libby Amphibole asbestos exposure may increase the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease, so screening for these diseases is part of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease's (CARD's) free asbestos health screening. CARD provides federally funded asbestos health screening for free to those who may have been exposed to asbestos in Lincoln County, Montana. CARD also provides follow-on care for those who have been diagnosed. To see if you qualify for screening, or if you would like to make an appointment, please call (406) 293-9274. Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295. Ongoing care not covered. Why Am I Slowing Down ? Patients often ask , why am I slowing down ? Those who have a chronic medical condition - be it heart disease , lung disease , diabetes , or others - tend to blame that condition and at times it can be that something has changed . However , often it is something different and unidentified that can cause feelings of fatigue , lack of energy , and decreased tolerance of activity . Lung disease can contribute to fatigue because , when severe , it can interfere with the body getting in enough oxygen to fuel normal function . Often this occurs gradually as the condition worsens and advancing age makes it harder for the individual to compensate for the detriment as well as they did in the past . The reason heart disease causes fatigue is similar . The body may be getting enough oxygen through the lungs , but the diseased heart is not able to pump well enough to distribute that oxygenated blood to itself or the rest of the body . This can be a gradual process , but if a blockage suddenly forms in one of the arteries to the heart or it unexpectedly starts to beat in an abnormal rhythm , the change can be more rapid or even abrupt . Anemia , a lower than normal red blood cell count , can also result in a lack of energy . Red blood cells carry oxygen within the blood to various parts of the body . If there are fewer red blood cells , less oxygen can be carried , and the body suffers for lack of it . Metabolic problems can also affect energy levels and exercise tolerance . The thyroid modulates the level of metabolism . When there is not enough thyroid hormone , the metabolism slows , and less energy is available . Other hormones , particularly those from the adrenal glands such as cortisol and adrenaline , as well as the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone , can affect energy levels too . Certain changes in these hormones may be age - related , but others can be a sign of some disease process . In those with diabetes , increasing fatigue can be a sign that the blood sugar is either too high or too low , or that the disease is causing damage to other parts of the body , such as the heart or kidney . Significant liver or kidney problems can also cause a lack of energy . Both organs break down and filter toxins from the body . When they are not working properly , toxins can start to build up causing symptoms . There are also illnesses that affect the immune system , commonly called autoimmune diseases , which have varying levels of fatigue as a hallmark of the illness . For example , if you have joint issues , you think are simply arthritis , but also have fatigue , you might have an autoimmune form of arthritis . Psoriatic arthritis , Lupus , and Sjogen's Syndrome are some other examples of autoimmune diseases . There are many others , all with various symptoms , but fatigue can be seen in most . Libby Amphibole asbestos exposure may increase the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease , so screening for these diseases is part of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease's ( CARD's ) free asbestos health screening . CARD provides federally funded asbestos health screening for free to those who may have been exposed to asbestos in Lincoln County , Montana . CARD also provides follow - on care for those who have been diagnosed . To see if you qualify for screening , or if you would like to make an appointment , please call ( 406 ) 293-9274 . Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295 . Ongoing care not covered .