Exhaustion in Women
Living in a world that is becoming increasingly busy and fast-paced necessitates that we remain active, or even hyperactive, for long amounts of time. Just because that has become the standard, however, does not mean we should accept exhaustion and low energy levels—especially if we feel this way the majority of the time—as the standard. It is understandable that women may face even more responsibilities in their daily lives, trying to balance their work life and families, personal life, and friendships, as well as the duties of motherhood. But constant exhaustion experienced by someone who is generally healthy, and lives a generally healthy lifestyle, is a cause for concern.
Here are some of the possible factors that may be contributing to constant fatigue and low energy:
Poor Quality Sleep: even if our busy lifestyle keeps us on our toes, adults actually need seven to eight hours of sleep a night, but that is rarely the case. However, establishing a sleep schedule that revolves around going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day can be very beneficial to prevent exhaustion. It is important to sleep in a cool, dark, place with limited distractions and preferably no electronics.
Sleep Apnea: pretty close to the poor quality of sleep many adults experience is the phenomenon of sleep apnea. This is a condition that can make quality sleep almost impossible, characterized by snoring and interrupted breathing. Even if you end up sleeping through the night, it’s likely you’ll still be drowsy during the daytime, which leads to exhaustion.
Thyroid Problems: they most commonly affect women, especially middle-aged women. In addition to affecting your heart rate and metabolism, a hyperactive thyroid can cause you to feel burnt out. On the other hand, an underperforming thyroid can make you feel sluggish. If you are suspecting this is the cause of your exhaustion, discuss thyroid replacement hormone options with your doctor.
Iron Deficiency: this is a pretty common condition among women, as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause cause female bodies to need more iron. Actually, few women get the amount of iron they actually need many times leading to anemia. Anemia’s most common symptoms are fatigue and weakness.
Before you venture into medical explorations, it is also advised that you consider lifestyle factors that may be affecting your energy levels. For example, excess physical activity can cause you to feel exhausted, and a sedentary lifestyle may cause you to feel weak and fatigued. Alcohol or drug use, as well as medications like antihistamines or cough syrup, can also lead to feeling tired. Unhealthy eating habits or an unbalanced diet are likely to contribute to general exhaustion.