Underactive Thyroid And Fatigue
Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, sluggishness, feeling run-down, depression, cold intolerance, weight gain
The problem may be a slow or underactive thyroid. This is known as hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. It helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy.
According to the American Thyroid Foundation, about 17% of all women will have a thyroid disorder by age 60. And most won’t know it. The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. The result is hypothyroidism, or a slow metabolism.
Blood tests known as T3 and T4 will detect thyroid hormones. If these hormones are low, synthetic hormones can bring you up to speed, and you should begin to feel better fairly rapidly.
When To See A Doctor For Your Fatigue
If youre still feeling tired all the time despite doing all you can to improve your diet, sleep and exercise habits, its time to see a doctor. Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and lifestyle and see if you have any other medical issues or are taking any medications. Your doctor may ask you to have various tests to see if you have another medical condition that is causing your extreme fatigue. If this is the case, you will get the answer to why you feel exhausted and be on your way to being treated and feeling better.
Fatigue Cause No : Depression
You may think of depression as an emotional disorder, but it contributes to many physical symptoms, as well. Fatigue, headaches, and loss of appetite are among the most common symptoms. If you feel tired and “down” for more than a few weeks, see your doctor.
Fix: Depression responds well to talk therapy and/or medication.
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How Can My Doctor Manage Fatigue
To find out what is causing your fatigue, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your lifestyle and medications and will conduct a physical examination. They might order some lab tests to test blood and urine. If you are a woman of child-bearing age, your provider will probably order a pregnancy test.
To relieve fatigue, your provider will treat the condition or disorder thatâs causing it. Depending on your health, your treatment plan may include a combination of medication, exercise, or therapy. If youâre taking a medication that makes you feel exhausted, talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of stopping the medication or trying another one.
What Is The Treatment For Fatigue
The treatment for fatigue depends upon the cause. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, antibiotics, vitamins, and exercise. Medical treatment of fatigue depends on the treatment of its underlying cause. Fortunately, many causes of fatigue may be treated with medications, for example, iron supplements for anemia, medications and machines to help sleep apnea, medications to control blood sugar, medications to regulate thyroid function, antibiotics to treat infection, vitamins, and/or recommendations for dietary changes and a sensible exercise program. Again, treatment of the underlying cause is the key to treatment of the symptom of fatigue.
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Fatigue Causes: #3hormone Imbalances
Fatigue may result from low or imbalanced levels of common hormones such as thyroid, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Low thyroid hormone levels resulting from autoimmune thyroid disease is one of the most common hormone-related disorders, and fatigue is the main symptom of hypothyroidism. In women, menopausal symptoms such as night sweats are notorious for causing fatigue , while in men testosterone deficiency as a cause of fatigue is now being recognized more than ever before.
Top 6 Most Common Causes Of Nausea And Fatigue
Nausea and fatigue are common problems, and they affect many women worldwide. These symptoms are typically harmless, and so are many of their causes. However, as nausea and fatigue are common symptoms of many ailments, they can also be indicative of serious underlying conditions, and they can also interrupt daily routine. Read on to discover some of the most common causes of nausea and fatigue.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Fatigue
Fatigue can cause a wide range of symptoms.
- Physical: feeling tired all the time, headaches, lightheadedness, sore, aching or weak muscles, loss of appetite, prone to getting sick.
- Mental: slowed reflexes and responses, poor decision making and judgement, short-term memory problems, poor concentration.
- Emotional: moodiness, irritability, low motivation, feeling depressed and hopeless.
Rheumatoid Arthritis And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain, inflamed joints
Rheumatoid arthritis , a type of inflammatory arthritis, is another cause of excessive fatigue. Because joint damage can result in disability, early and aggressive treatment is the best approach for rheumatoid arthritis.
Medications that may be used early in mild RA include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
Other drugs used in more serious forms of RA include the anti-cytokine therapies , as well as shots and other forms of treatment.
Other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and Sjogren’s disease, may also cause fatigue.
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When Is Being Too Tired A Problem
Let’s face it: We aren’twhat we used to be as we get on up there. Aging has many wonderful aspects, butone of the many problems is that we do not have the stamina and energy we didwhen younger. That is a normal part of aging and just something that comes withthe territory. However, being excessively tired or listless can be termedfatigue.
Why Do I Feel Tired Causes Of Low Energy Levels In Females
Work, family, home if just thinking about all of your responsibilities is enough to make you crave a nap, youre not alone. Why so fatigued? The causes of low energy levels in females have many possible explanations.
Before we explore some of the most common reasons for exhaustion in women, consider how long it has been since your last well-woman visit. If it has been more than a year and youre experiencing consistent fatigue, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with your Womens Care provider.
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Natural Energy Boosters So You Can Feel The Best Youve Ever Felt
What you can do today
Set a timer for 1 minute sit quietly, close your eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply 5 counts in, 5 counts out.
Why it works
Fatigue robs you of the energy you need to keep up with lifes demands, to enjoy life, or even to make important changes to maintain your health. It adds to the pressure you feel at work and at home, and can severely disrupt your personal and social relationships. Of course, these sorts of emotional effects only make you feel more tired and worn out.
But fatigue does not have to be your new normal. Whether you are 20, 50 or even 90 years old theres a lot you can do to increase your energy naturally. We can lead you up and out of fatigue and away from the downward spiral that has you in its grip. Weve had such great success in relieving fatigue in women that an increase in energy is usually the first dramatic improvement women notice after beginning to follow our approach.
Fatigue Cause No 1: Heart Disease
When fatigue strikes during everyday activities, such as cleaning the house or weeding the yard, it can be a sign that your heart is no longer up to the job. If you notice it’s becoming increasingly difficult to finish tasks that were once easy, talk to your doctor about heart disease.
Fix: Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapeutic procedures can get heart disease under control and restore your energy.
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Questions A Doctor May Ask Include The Following:
- Do you feel drowsy or weak?
- Do you feel down or depressed?
- Has your fatigue developed slowly or suddenly?
- Is it cyclical or constant?
- What do you think the cause might be?
- Have you experienced any significant life events recently?
- Is your life in balance? Consider work, relationships, physical, emotional, social, sense of worth and recreation.
Why Am I So Tired What Am I Lacking
If your tiredness isnt caused by something obvious such as a lack of sleep and you dont suspect an underlying condition such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid, its sometimes worth looking at what youre eating and what nutrients you may be lacking.
There are a handful of vitamin deficiencies that might be the cause of your fatigue. If youre deficient in iron , vitamin B12 , or vitamin D , tiredness and consistent fatigue can occur.
Think this may be the case for you? You can check in on your vitamin levels from the comfort of home with LetsGetCheckeds range of at-home vitamin and mineral tests which test for some of the most common vitamin deficiencies.
Fatigue can be a result of a number of different health conditions or illnesses. If you feel as if youre always tired and its not a result of any lifestyle changes such as an increase in physical activity, its important to find out more. You can do this by visiting your doctor and keeping a close eye on your health and wellbeing with LetsGetCheckeds range of at-home health tests.
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Fact: Caffeine Provides A Mild Boost
Whether in the form of coffee, soft drinks, or gum, caffeine can briefly increase alertness. Keep in mind that the effect takes about 30 minutes to kick in, so you may want to pull over and rest until you perk up. This temporary fix has its limits — caffeine canât overcome severe fatigue and may have little impact on regular coffee drinkers.
Fatigue Cause No : Anemia
Anemia is one of the leading causes of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency, putting women at risk. Red blood cells are needed because they carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.
Fix: For anemia caused by an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, liver, shellfish, beans, and enriched cereal, can help.
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What Causes Fatigue In Women
Fatigue in women is simply an overall feeling of being tired or worn out day after day. Contrary to popular belief, fatigue is not just an inevitable product of age. Some of the causes of fatigue include:
- Insomnia
- Adrenal Insufficiency
- Poor Nutrition
Fatigue saps your energy away limiting the number and quality of things you do in a day. Low estrogen levels many times found in menopause, often result in insomnia and night sweats. Diminished estrogen also causes irritability and mood swings in women which furthers exhaustion. Too little progesterone is also linked to fatigue in women. The progesterone decreases sex drive and results in an overall less optimistic outlook. This anxiety or depression brings with it fatigue. Severe fatigue in women may be a sign of adrenal fatiguesymptoms.
Where To Get Help
- Your doctor
- Wilson J, Morgan S, Magin P, et al. 2014, Fatigue a rational approach to investigation, Australian Family Physician, vol. 43, no. 7, pp. 457-461, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. More information here.
- Fatigue, 2013, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. More information here.
- Fatigue, Mayo Clinic, USA. More information here.
- Fatigue in the workplace, WorkSafe Victoria. More information here.
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Certain Underlying Infection Could Cause Extreme Fatigue In Women
While the actual cause-effect relationship between certain infections and extreme fatigue may be the subject matter of debate, it is true that there seems to be some connection between the two.
In some cases, the virus that causes pneumonia is known to be connected to extreme fatigue. Also, digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea may cause fatigue.
It is possible that diarrhea leads to feelings of tiredness and fatigue due to the resultant dehydration and depletion of salts and vital nutrients from the body. Infections such as bronchitis that affect the lungs are also seen to cause extreme fatigue.
Some experts also believe that extreme fatigue in women could be caused by a liver problem called Hematochromatosis which may also have symptoms such as a grayish cast to the skin, and arthritis.
Lyme disease, an infection caused by ticks, is also implicated as being a cause for fatigue. This infection would also cause a typical kind of skin rash, muscle and joint pain, fever and so on.
Extreme fatigue among women is one of the main symptoms of certain conditions such as fibromyalgia, which is characterized by extreme but unexpected body pain as well.
Top 7 Possible Causes Of Fatigue In Young Women
Fatigue is described as the feeling of , exhaustion, and tiredness. Fatigue is common among women of all ages, and is primarily caused by hormone fluctuations. Estrogen and progesterone are female hormones that have considerable effects on the body – especially when they are in flux. Young women experience fatigue during menstruation because of hormone fluctuations. Fatigue can also be caused by lifestyle factors, like insufficient sleep and poor diet. It is important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle in order to prevent fatigue.
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What Are The Types Of Tiredness
Unlike fatigue, tiredness can typically be relieved by a good nights sleep and some rest. When the tiredness becomes overwhelming and sleep seems to have little to no effect, thats when you know its fatigue.
There are a number of different types of tiredness that we can all experience in our day to day lives, these include:
- Energy highs and lows, usually during certain points of the day
- Emptiness due to skipping breakfast or meals
- Lack of stamina
- Tired but unable to fall asleep
The above types of tiredness are typically a result of a poor diet, a general lack of important vitamins and minerals in your everyday diet or even drinking too much caffeine throughout the day – with the latter being one of the reasons you might find it hard to fall asleep even when you feel exhausted. Check-in on your vitamin levels from home with LetsGetChecked to make sure your levels are within a healthy range.
Possible Causes Of Extreme Fatigue In Women
There are many reasons that could underlie extreme fatigue in women. Web MD lists some 7 factors that are the most common reasons for fatigue in women. Fatigue could be caused by anemia which causes hemoglobin deficiency and hence lack of energy.
Additionally hypothyroidism , an undiagnosed urinary tract infection, an overdose of caffeine, certain food intolerances, sleep apnea and an undiagnosed disease of the heart could be underlying causes of fatigue experienced by women.
Though these are the common causes, extreme fatigue in women could have these or other underlying causes as well
Depression, anxiety, stress, lack of sleep For women, who typically have to juggle home and professional commitments as well, stress is a reality of life simply taking on too much to do can be a cause of fatigue.
Research has shown that women are particularly prone to anxiety and depression and these can generate extreme fatigue in women.
Accompanying the fatigue could be other symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness or guilt, a greater desire to sleep, an unexplained weight gain, difficulty concentrating and so on.
Sometimes the fatigue could be caused by something as simple as lack of restful sleep, since insomnia and fatigue are closely linked. Indicators could be nodding off at inopportune times, being surprised by yawns when least expected, and general lethargy.
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What Are The Common Causes Of Fatigue
Remember, feeling tired every now and then is something we all experience. This sort of tiredness might be caused by a change in eating habits, taking new medications, or simply not getting enough sleep. Still, if youre feeling fatigued and there have been no significant changes in your day to day, it might be a sign of something more.
Fact: A Companion Can Help During Long Road Trips
For long road trips, itâs best to bring a companion — if possible, someone who can share in the driving. Pull over and switch seats about every 100 miles or every two hours. Whoever is not behind the wheel should stay awake and talk to the driver. The passenger can also keep a watchful eye for signs that the driver might be nodding off.
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Common Reasons Women Feel Fatigued
By Jennifer Spengler, a health and wellness writer for Sharp Health News and a marketing specialist with Sharp HealthCare.
Like many women, I wear several hats on any given day. I am a mother of three active girls, wife, daughter, sister, friend, occasional runner, volunteer and employee. I am busy, happy and fulfilled. I am also exhausted much of the time.
As parents, spouses, caregivers and professionals, women are commonly prone to fatigue, says Dr. Catherine Sundsmo, a board-certified family medicine doctor with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group. We typically have commutes, 40-hour-plus work weeks, children, aging parents and the responsibilities of managing a household. Fatigue is a very, very common symptom that I see in my female patients.
According to Dr. Sundsmo, the demands we place on our bodies are often greater than the care we give it, leading to fatigue. And when our fatigue is chronic, it can feel like a never-ending cycle.
Fatigue can be triggered by a stressful event, a temporary illness, insomnia, lifestyle changes, our job or our families, she says. It might cause you to feel overwhelmed mental and physical exhaustion joint and body pain an inability to concentrate irritability or depression and can even lead to sugar cravings.
Here, she tackles the five most common reasons we feel fatigued so often, and tells us how to combat them.
