Do you feel like no matter how restful of sleep you get you can’t seem to shake the feeling of constant fatigue?
It’s common for women to suffer from chronic fatigue as they age. If you practice good dietary, exercise and sleep habits and still feel tired or groggy often, there could be other causes to consider. Some common ones include depression, thyroid issues, menopause or other common sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea.
“Some of the conditions can become more chronic and cause more health issues,” said Kelsey King-Hook, MD, a family medicine specialist with Maury Regional Medical Group Primary Care in Columbia. “For example, untreated sleep apnea can lead to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. That is why it’s good to see a doctor if you are feeling tired all the time.”
Depression
Depression is a common condition amongst women, affecting about one in 10 women aged 18-44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some symptoms of depression can be more prevalent during the fall and winter months. Common symptoms include decreased interest in previously enjoyable activities, changes in sleep patterns, decreased energy or concentration, mood swings, appetite changes and continually feeling guilty or bad about oneself.
“If you have any symptoms of depression, see your doctor for further assessment,” Dr. King-Hook said. “The good news is there are many treatments available for depression, including medication and therapy.”
Thyroid Issues
The thyroid, a small gland located at the base of the neck, is responsible for the body’s metabolism. When the thyroid has a decreased function, called hypothyroidism, a common symptom is chronic fatigue.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin, constipation and voice changes.
“You may be at increased risk if you have a family history of thyroid disorders,” Dr. King-Hook said. “Blood work can let us know if you have a thyroid issue, and medication is used to improve your thyroid function.”
Blood work can also determine if your chronic fatigue is caused by a vitamin D deficiency or anemia.
Menopause and Perimenopause
Menopause, the normal time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently, and perimenopause, which is the transition to menopause, can cause hormonal changes that can negatively impact sleep, leading to fatigue.
“Menopause symptoms can affect almost every body system and include irritability and mood swings, hot flashes and night sweats, and genitourinary changes, all of which can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue,” Dr. King-Hook said. “There are many options to help control the symptoms of menopause, including behavioral changes and both hormonal and non-hormonal medications.”
Menopause is diagnosed 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual cycle. However, your physician may check blood work and hormonal levels depending on your medical history.
Sleep Disorders
There are several sleep disorders that can cause constant fatigue, including insomnia and sleep apnea.
Insomnia is the inability to initiate or maintain sleep, commonly caused by high stress, anxiety or depression. Treatment can include sleep techniques to promote more restful sleep as well as sedating antidepressants or sedative-hypnotic medications.
Sleep apnea causes beathing to repeatedly lapse during sleep, causing snoring or gasping for air throughout the night.
“You may be at risk for sleep apnea if you snore loudly, have been observed stopping breathing during sleep or have high blood pressure. Other risk factors include a body mass index greater than 35, age greater than 50, neck circumference greater than 40 centimeters and the male gender. If you have several risk factors for sleep apnea, your doctor may want to obtain a sleep study for further evaluation and diagnosis,” Dr. King-Hook said. “A CPAP machine is a good treatment option to keep your airway open so you can get a good night’s rest.”
Maury Regional Health offers sleep studies at its sleep centers at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro and in Lawrenceburg at 1407 N. Locust Ave., Suite 102. Sleep studies are conducted with a physician’s referral for adults and children as young as 2 years old.
During a sleep study, an individual is monitored with devices that record heart rate, snoring, airflow, oxygen levels, brain waves and movement in the muscles and eyes. The sleep study data is then interpreted by a board-certified sleep medicine physician, who will share the results of the study with your physician to discuss with you.
For more information about sleep studies offered by Maury Regional Health, call 931.490.REST (7378) or visit MauryRegional.com/Sleep.
Risk Assessment Tools
If you feel you may be at risk for sleep apnea or depression, complete one of these screening tools and share it with your physician:
Sleep Apnea
Depression