For some women, exhaustion and chronic fatigue are a fact of life. While most cases of fatigue in women can be improved by lifestyle changes, about 20 percent of women have a physical illness that is causing their fatigue.
According to professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Marianne Legato, who was interviewed by CBS’s The Early Show, there are several conditions that can cause chronic fatigue in women. If you are getting enough sleep but still find yourself exhausted, read on. It is important for women to find out what is causing their fatigue so that they can begin to address the problem and regain their energy and their quality of life. Here are five common causes of fatigue in women.
Anemia
Anemia, or low iron, is one of the main causes of fatigue in women. Menstruating women are especially susceptible to fatigue due to anemia. When women menstruate they deplete the supply of iron in their body. If they do not replenish those iron stores, they can become anemic. Anemia results when an insufficient supply of oxygen is delivered to the body tissues. This is caused by a deficiency in the hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the part of the blood that carries oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body. Anemia in women is most common after giving birth, when menstrual periods are especially heavy or long and if women have fibroid tumors or uterine polyps. If you suspect you are fatigued because of anemia, request a simple blood test from your doctor. Treatment for anemia is easy. Women can increase their intake of iron either through diet, supplements or both.
Poor Diet
I am notorious for starting my day in a whirl, rushing around the house and starting on my to-do list without eating breakfast. As a result, by mid morning I am often stymied by fatigue. Poor diet and crash dieting are major causes of chronic fatigue in women. Too many carbohydrates, not enough protein, too many calories or not enough calories can all wreck havoc on the body’s ability to function properly. Fatigue is a common complaint among women who crash diet. The worst diet for zapping a woman’s energy- a low fat, high carb diet. This type of diet can cause a woman to experience insulin resistance, which can cause a disruption in the body metabolism. The burst of energy produced by the carbs quickly subside into a fatigue laden crash. Women can reduce diet related fatigue by including complex carbohydrates, whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables and lean meats in their diet everyday.
Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
Thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, often cause fatigue in women. It is estimated that 70 percent of the 14 million Americans with hypothyroidism are women. By age 60, it is believed that close to 20 percent of all women will develop a thyroid disorder. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped organ at the base of the neck that controls metabolism, or the speed at which your body works. Why does an underactive thyroid make women tired? An underactive thyroid doesn’t make enough of the hormones, especially thyroxin, the body needs to regulate energy use. That means the body can use all of its energy up too quickly, or not quickly enough, resulting in fatigue. If a woman experiences weight gain and depression along with fatigue, it is a good idea to get a thyroid function blood test. Treatment includes taking synthetic hormones and maintaining a proper diet.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A UTI is caused by bacteria that infect the urinary tract of a woman. A UTI is often caused by sexual intercourse or improper bathroom hygiene. Most women experience symptoms of fatigue, burning when urinating or the inability to completely empty the bladder when they have a UTI. For some women though, fatigue is their only symptom. A quick urine test can diagnose a UTI. Treatment involves antibiotics.
Do you get your eight hours of sleep each night but find yourself tired all day? Sleep apnea may be the culprit. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing during sleep for short periods of time. As the body fights for breath, a person wakes up momentarily and begins breathing again. This cycle of stopping breathing and wakening disrupts the sleep cycle. The result is that the person does not get restful sleep. Sleep apnea occurs most often in women that are overweight. Snoring is the most obvious sign of the disorder. Diagnosis may require observation at a specialized sleep clinic. Treatment includes lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking, use of a specialized breathing machine or surgery. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder and can cause stroke or heart attack if left untreated.
Other common causes of fatigue in women include hormonal imbalance, vitamin D deficiency, low folic acid in pregnant women, heart problems, stress, anxiety, excessive caffeine intake, use of water pills (diuretics), lack of exercise, obesity, food intolerances, depression, diabetes, dehydration, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or other medical professionals.
Sources
Web MD
CBS News
