Fatigue

Feeling constantly tired, drained, or low in energy? Fatigue can be more than just a busy lifestyle catching up with you – it can also be a sign that something is going on in your gut. At the Rapid Access Bowel Clinic, we regularly help people who are struggling with persistent tiredness that may be linked to bowel health issues. If you’re always running on empty, it’s time to find out why.

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What is fatigue?

Fatigue is more than just feeling tired at the end of a long day. It’s a persistent lack of energy that doesn’t go away with rest. You might feel:

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• Physically exhausted

• Mentally foggy or low in concentration

• Sleepy during the day

• Easily overwhelmed by everyday tasks

When fatigue is ongoing and unexplained, it’s important to look deeper – especially if it’s accompanied by changes in your bowel movements, weight loss or pain.

How bowel conditions cause fatigue

The health of your digestive system plays a key role in your overall energy levels. If your gut isn’t absorbing nutrients properly, or if your body is using a lot of energy to fight inflammation, you’re likely to feel the effects in the form of tiredness or low stamina.

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Some of the most common bowel-related causes of fatigue include:

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• Iron deficiency anaemia – often due to chronic blood loss in the stool or poor absorption of iron in the gut

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause ongoing inflammation and nutrient loss

• Coeliac disease – gluten intolerance that damages the bowel lining, leading to fatigue, bloating and malabsorption

• Chronic diarrhoea or malabsorption – which can cause dehydration and loss of key vitamins and minerals

• Bowel cancer – may lead to fatigue from blood loss, anaemia, or the body’s inflammatory response

• Post-infectious bowel issues – tiredness after a bout of gastroenteritis or ongoing gut disturbance

Other symptoms to look out for

Fatigue alone isn’t always linked to bowel health, but it becomes more significant when combined with symptoms such as:

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• Diarrhoea or constipation

• Unexplained weight loss

• Blood or mucus in your stool

• Feeling bloated, full or uncomfortable after eating

• A persistent change in your bowel habits

• Loss of appetite

If you’re experiencing any of the above, it’s a good idea to speak to a bowel specialist.

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When to see a bowel specialist

You should seek help if:

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• Your tiredness is persistent and unexplained

• It’s affecting your ability to work or enjoy life

• You’ve tried improving your sleep, diet and lifestyle with no improvement

• You have other bowel symptoms or a family history of digestive disease

At the Rapid Acess Bowel Clinic, we’ll take your fatigue seriously and investigate the possible causes with care and sensitivity.

How we investigate fatigue and bowel health

We start with a detailed consultation to understand your symptoms and overall health. We may recommend:

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• Blood tests – to check for anaemia, inflammation, vitamin deficiencies and thyroid function

• Stool tests – to assess for blood loss, inflammation or malabsorption

• Coeliac screening – to rule out gluten sensitivity

• Endoscopy or colonoscopy – if there are signs of bowel inflammation, polyps or bleeding

• Imaging – such as ultrasound, CT or MRI if needed

We take a holistic view of your symptoms, working to find the underlying cause and build a plan for your recovery.

Treatment options

Once we identify the cause of your fatigue, we’ll tailor treatment to your needs. This might include:

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• Iron or vitamin supplements

• Medication for inflammatory bowel conditions

• A gluten-free diet for coeliac disease

• Advice on hydration and nutrition

• Treatment for underlying conditions such as bowel cancer, if found

• Support from our wider team, including dietitians or other specialists