Chronic Fatigue: Tired of Feeling Tired?
Learn what may be causing your chronic fatigue ... and 10 solutions.
Chronic Fatigue Cause No. 3: Anemia
"If you are in your reproductive years, and particularly if you
experience heavy menstrual cycles, have fibroid tumors or uterine polyps, or if
you've recently given birth, the blood loss may have caused you to develop
anemia -- a leading cause of fatigue in women," says Rebecca Amaru, MD,
clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Mount Sinai Medical
Center in New York City.
Problems occur, she says, when the bleeding leads to a deficiency of
hemoglobin, the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from
the lungs to other parts of your body. When your tissues and organs don't get
enough oxygen, she says, the result is fatigue.
Other causes of anemia include internal bleeding and a deficiency of iron,
folic acid, or vitamin B-12.
Anemia may also be caused by chronic diseases like kidney disease. Symptoms can
include dizziness, feeling cold, and
To confirm a diagnosis of anemia, your doctor will give you a blood test.
Treatment, she says, usually consists of iron supplements if iron deficiency
is the cause, and adding iron-rich foods -- such as spinach, broccoli, and red
meat -- to your diet.
The good news: With effective treatment for anemia, your fatigue should
begin to lift in 30 days or less.
Chronic Fatigue Cause No. 4: Undiagnosed Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Although most women associate a urinary tract infection with
symptoms such as burning or urgency, sometimes fatigue is the only clue.
In most instances, a UTI is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract, often
the result of improper bathroom hygiene (wiping back to front, for example).
Sexual intercourse can increase the risk because it can push bacteria from the
vagina into the urethra.
If your doctor suspects that you have a UTI, your urine will be tested.
Treatment is quick and easy, and usually involves an oral antibiotic
medication. You can expect the fatigue to lift within a week or less if the
antibiotic works effectively.
If your symptoms return, get tested again. Some women have chronic UTIs,
which are very difficult to resolve. If this is your case, ask your doctor
about preventive care, which may include low dose antibiotics.
Chronic Fatigue Cause No. 5: Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are
considered separate but related disorders. They share a common symptom --
severe fatigue that greatly interferes with people's lives.
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common causes of relentless fatigue and muscle pain, especially in
women, Mcllwain says.
"Many of my fibromyalgia patients complain that no matter how long they
sleep, it's never restful, and they're always fatigued during daytime hours.
Their sleep may be interrupted by frequent awakening, yet they may not remember
these sleep disruptions the next day and live in a constant 'fibro fog' -- a
hazy, mental feeling that makes it difficult to concentrate."