
1. Anemia
The fatigue caused by anemia is the
result of a lack of red blood cells, which bring oxygen from your lungs to your
tissues and cells. You may feel weak and short of breath. Anemia may be caused
by an iron or vitamin deficiency, blood loss, internal bleeding, or a chronic
disease such as rheumatoid
arthritis, cancer, or kidney failure. Women of childbearing age are
especially susceptible to iron-deficiency anemia because of blood loss during
menstruation and the body's need for extra iron during pregnancy and
breastfeeding.
Fatigue is a major one. Others
include extreme weakness, difficulty sleeping, lack of concentration, rapid
heartbeat, chest pains, and headache. Simple exercise, such as climbing the
stairs or walking short distances, can cause fatigue.
2. Thyroid Disease
When your thyroid hormones are out
of whack, even everyday activities will wipe you out. The thyroid gland, about
the size of the knot on a man's tie, is found in the front of the neck and
produces hormones that control your metabolism. Too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism),
and metabolism speeds up. Too little (hypothyroidism),
and metabolism slows down.
Hyperthyroidism causes
muscle fatigue and weakness, which you may notice first in the thighs.
Exercises such as riding a bike or climbing stairs become more difficult. Other
symptoms include unexplained weight loss, feeling warm all the time, increased
heart rate, shorter and less frequent menstrual flows, and increased thirst.
Hyperthyroidism is most commonly diagnosed in women in their 20s and 30s, but
it can occur in older women and men too. Hypothyroidism causes
fatigue, an inability to concentrate, and muscle soreness, even with minor
activity. Other symptoms include weight gain due to water retention, feeling
cold all the time (even in warmer weather), heavier and more frequent menstrual
flows, and constipation. Hypothyroidism is most common in women over age 50; in
fact, as many as 10% of women past 50 will have at least mild hypothyroidism.
3. You skip exercise when you're tired
Skipping your workout to save energy
actually works against you. In a University of Georgia study, sedentary but
otherwise healthy adults who began exercising lightly three days a week for as
little as 20 minutes at a time reported feeling less fatigued and more
energized after six weeks. Regular exercise boosts strength and endurance,
helps make your cardiovascular system run more efficiently, and delivers oxygen
and nutrients to your tissues.
4. Depression
We don't all experience depression
in the same way. But commonly, depression can cause decreased energy, changes
in sleeping and eating patterns, problems with memory and concentration, and
feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and negativity.
5. You don't drink enough water
Being even
slightly dehydrated—as little as 2% of normal fluid loss—takes a toll on energy
levels. Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume,
which makes the blood thicker. This requires your heart to pump less
efficiently, reducing the speed at which oxygen and nutrients reach your
muscles and organs. To calculate your normal fluid needs, take your weight in
pounds, divide in half and drink that number of ounces of fluid a day.
Source: Prevention, Skinny Mom