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About Fatigue
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The restorative energy gained from a proper night of sleep is key to a woman´s health and ability to function during the daytime. During menopause, many women find that they don´t have the energy levels that they used to. Fatigue affects the greater majority of women, with up to 80% of working women reporting feeling fatigued on a regular basis.
If a woman is consistently receiving the recommended 7 or 8 hours nightly of sleep yet still experiences a lack of energy during the daytime, it is important to look into possible causes of this fatigue in order to battle it.
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Sleep and Fatigue
Most adults need seven to nine hours of continuous sleep to function well, but women ages 30 to 60 report getting only an average of six hours and forty-one minutes during the workweek.
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Definition of Fatigue
Fatigue is defined as an ongoing and persistent feeling of weakness, tiredness, and lowered energy level. This should be distinguished from drowsiness, which implies an actual urge to sleep. Fatigue involves lack of energy rather than sleepiness.
Another distinction that must be made is that between fatigue as a symptom of menopause and chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a more serious and complicated disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome includes periods of extreme fatigue that do not improve with bed rest, may worsen with physical or mental activity, and is often tied to other illnesses.
In order to distinguish how a woman can tell if she is experiencing fatigue during menopause, keep reading to learn more about the specific symptoms of this all too common condition. |
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Symptoms of Fatigue
Fatigue can be distinguished by a variety of characteristics, both mental and physical. Oftentimes these symptoms can be experienced in tandem with each other. A woman undergoing menopause might feel a lag in energy levels that lasts all day, or experience shorter bursts of fatigue intermittently.
The lack of sleep that may lead to feelings of fatigue can also manifest itself in irritability or an inability to concentrate on tasks at hand, leading to problems in the workplace or within relationships.
Sleep deprivation has also been shown in studies to cause a difficulty in moderating emotions and handling stress, decreased hand/eye coordination, poor reaction times, and a weakened immune system. Overall then, fatigue is actually a quite serious symptom of menopause as it has such a far-reaching effect on a woman´s overall health.
 Fatigue is particularly frustrating as it has this duel effect on both mind and body, making the completion of normal tasks difficult if not impossible. Physical characteristics may include general feelings of drowsiness, or fatigue that comes on suddenly. By contrast, when fatigue manifests itself with mental characteristics, a woman can feel apathetic or irritable due to lack of energy.
Crashing Fatigue
Fatigue during menopause is experienced by many women as crashing fatigue, which is a sudden and extreme feeling characterized by exhaustion, weakness, and a markedly decreased energy level. These episodes of crashing fatigue can strike at any moment, making usual activities difficult, straining relationships, and increasing general stress. Click on the following link to read more about crashing fatigue during menopause.
By learning more about the causes of this menopausal symptom, it is possible to manage and even cure fatigue. Keep reading to learn more about what causes fatigue, and how to treat it.
What are the best ways to cope with fatigue?
Three approaches can be considered for treating fatigue: (1) lifestyle changes, (2) alternative remedies, and (3) drugs and surgery. Most experts recommend that women begin with the least aggressive approach and move to the next level of treatment only if symptoms persist. Click on treatments for fatigue to discover the best route to relief.
Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.
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