Just the everyday task of balancing work and family life is enough to exhaust most women, but sometimes those symptoms of fatigue or unexplained weight gain could mean something more.
How do you know if you’re just tired or if the exhaustion you’re experiencing could be an indicator of something serious?
Dr. Bradley Eilerman, an endocrinologist with St. Elizabeth Physicians, said specifics are key.
“Unfortunately, fatigue and weight gain often are overlooked, and fatigue can mean many things,” he said. “Sleepiness, muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, and lack of motivation all can be described as ‘fatigue.’ It can help your doctor to be as specific as possible.”
What if I’m feeling fatigue?
If the fatigue you’re describing is sleepiness, it could be a sign of a sleep disturbance and/or a lack of sleep. Sleep disturbances can have roots in medical conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, and a sleep study could be helpful.
If the fatigue you’re describing is an increased effort to complete tasks and an intolerance of exercise, it could have a cardiac cause. Shortness of breath while climbing the stairs is a common complaint, Eilerman said, and chest pain and/or chest palpitations can accompany the shortness of breath, as well.
Do be aware that anemia can share many of the signs and symptoms of cardiac disease, though, and can present in women who have heavy periods or special diets, such as vegetarianism.
If the fatigue you’re describing is sleepiness combined with weakness, it could be a sign of a hormonal issue such as hypothyroidism, which also could be accompanied by depression and weight gain.
How long do you feel like this?
Also, pay attention to the duration of your symptoms. Symptoms with a clear beginning are much more likely to have an identifiable cause than symptoms that have gone on indefinitely.
Similarly, change is important. If you’ve always exercised regularly but are suddenly experiencing fatigue during exercise, it raises more red flags than it does if you’re experiencing fatigue during exercise but your exercise routine is new, Eilerman said.
Finally, make sure your fatigue isn’t stemming from juggling too many things at once.
Oftentimes, the exhaustion women feel is “completely understandable and rooted in the inability to adequately do so much,” Eilerman said. “The answer does not come in the form of a pill or procedure but instead in setting limits on expectations.”
While many instances of weight gain and fatigue are driven by behavior or life circumstance, there are times when medical evaluation is critical.
Remember the rapid onset of fatigue or changes in weight warrant evaluation, particularly if they don’t have a clear trigger. Additionally, the presence of other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, skin changes, and/or changes in bowel habits also should alert you to seek medical attention.
