In a recent report published in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (there’s some bedtime reading for ya), a study found that women were 50% more likely to experience fatigue than men, overall, and in the 18-44 age group were almost twice as likely to feel overtired. Not surprisingly, this report spurred articles in other media which sought to explain this disparity, some going so far as to tie this statistic to social inequities. Some of these assertions appear valid, others seem to be stretching for controversy. In truth, these theories all stem from a study that was not conclusive.
The CDC article was based on a national health interview survey, which collects data by asking people questions. There is no design in this study to standardize or control the experiment and the information gathered was questionable – the definition of fatigue probably varies, some people might not want to admit feeling tired all the time, and some may be embellishing their story. Truth is, none of that really matters. We all experience periods of fatigue at some point in our lives and some people are more prone to it than others. The problem arises when those periods of fatigue are prolonged or chronic. And, what is important is how one deals with it.
Fatigue can have many causes, some are gender specific, but many are common to both men and women. Some causes are benign and easily dealt with, but fatigue can also be a symptom of serious disease. The key is to figure out what is behind the fatigue, and then decide how to treat it.
Some of the most common causes of fatigue in women are:
- Thyroid Disease
- Anemia
- Sleep Disturbance – including sleep apnea
- Heart Disease
- Depression
Men often experience fatigue as a result of:
- Hypogonadism – aka low testosterone
- Heart Disease
- Depression
- Sleep Disturbance – including sleep apnea
Common causes of fatigue in both men and women are:
- Poor Sleep
- Poor Diet – lots of processed foods
- Food Intolerance
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Liver or Kidney Disease
- Cancer
- Reaction to Medications
It is clear from these lists that prolonged, unexplained fatigue is nothing to ignore. It can be a symptom of serious illness. Before doing anything else it is essential to consult a medical physician to rule out the more serious causes that might require medical intervention. After that, simple lifestyle changes can go a long way toward restoring energy and vitality in your daily life.
5 Ways to Restore Your Energy
- Clean up your act. Eat primarily fresh whole foods cooked at home and minimize or eliminate: processed foods, alcohol, smoking and caffeine.
- Exercise regularly. Vigorous exercise is an effective detoxifier, and it stimulates all the healthy processes like circulation, metabolic function and hormone production that can help produce energy.
- Drink plenty of clean, filtered water. One-half your body weight in fluid ounces is a good rule of thumb to give your body sufficient hydration to keep everything functioning properly.
- Practice good sleep habits. Ancient healing traditions like Ayurvedic medicine believe that going to bed by 10 pm and rising by 6 am provides the most effective, rejuvenating sleep. Going to sleep and waking at regular times each day will help train you to sleep more soundly. Empty your bladder before getting in bed.
- Protect your body’s energy centers. The mitochondria are the energy producing structures in each cell of your body. These “powerhouses” are damaged by toxins, drugs, alcohol, poor diet, etc. Regular support of using a well-designed Coenzyme Q10 supplement along with healthy lifestyle will help protect and restore these microscopic “fountains of youth.”
Healthy lifestyle habits are the recurring theme in our recommendations for dealing with all of the health issues we write about. This time is no exception. Put these suggestions into practice and not only will you feel less fatigue, you will revive all aspects of health and liveliness in your life.
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