As we get older, low energy tends to become more common – one recent study suggested that nearly a third of people over the age of 51 experience fatigue. Lack of energy in over 50s can be linked to a number of causes and reasons, including: Menopause. Low testosterone levels.
Exercise Regularly
Several types of exercise can help you increase your energy levels and prevent heart disease and cancer. Exercise is also key to preventing osteoporosis and obesity, two common problems among those in their 50s. Some of these exercises include walking, hiking, running, or cycling.
There are plenty of potential culprits. Medications for blood pressure, sleep problems, pain and gastrointestinal reflux can induce fatigue, as can infections, conditions such as arthritis, an underactive thyroid, poor nutrition and alcohol use. All can be addressed, doctors say.
Hormonal flux, hot flashes, nighttime urination urges, and night sweats can make sleep during midlife a challenge. But getting enough rest is vital for maintaining your energy levels and avoiding daytime drowsiness. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Ongoing fatigue in seniors can be caused by chronic conditions, making it important to monitor and report any new symptoms of weakness and exhaustion to your care team. Some common underlying health conditions that can contribute to fatigue in older adults include: Diabetes. Heart disease.
Is Menopause Fatigue Normal? It's normal for everyone to feel overtired or overworked from time to time. Such instances usually come and go and people are usually able to recover well. Unrelenting exhaustion, on the other hand, lasts longer, is more severe, and isn't cured with rest.
Common causes of tiredness and fatigue include: not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia) an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.
Common underlying issues that can make you feel tired after waking up and persist throughout your day include sleep inertia, sleep disorders, bright light exposure, and a poor bedroom environment, to name a few.
Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. Shifting hormone levels and night sweats may disrupt your sleep. This can cause fatigue, which may make mood swings worse.
Researchers with Duke University's School of Medicine suggest that physical decline begins in the decade of the 50s and worsens as we age, especially for those who don't exercise.
Extreme fatigue in women can be caused by high sleep debt, being out of sync with your circadian rhythm, your menstrual cycle and period, pregnancy, menopause, hormonal contraceptives, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress and anxiety, medication side effects, and medical conditions like thyroid issues or anemia.
Magnesium is important for healthy ageing as it can help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Possible culprit: A vitamin or mineral deficiency
One possible reason for feeling tired, anxious, and weak is having low levels of iron, vitamin D, or B12. Many experts believe that a significant percentage of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D.
While B12 doesn't directly provide energy, it does give the body the tools it needs to convert food molecules into energy. Getting the recommended daily amount of B12 can therefore help ensure that the body is able to make the energy it needs to do everything you need it to do.
According to their internal body clock, most older adults need to go to sleep around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and wake up at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. Many people fight their natural inclination to sleep and choose to go to bed several hours later instead.
Detailed Research Findings:
Older adults who did not nap or napped longer than 90 minutes (extended nappers) were significantly more likely than those who napped for 30 to 90 minutes after lunch (moderate nappers) to have lower overall cognition scores after adjusting for possible confounders.
Pain or medical conditions. Health conditions such as a frequent need to urinate, pain, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, nighttime heartburn, and Alzheimer's disease can interfere with sleep. Talk to your doctor to address any medical issues.
Many of the women we talk to tell us how they frequently feel tired and run down. You may find you have less energy than usual and feel mentally and physically exhausted. This can affect the quality of your working and personal life as you go through the menopause. Fatigue often goes hand in hand with sleep issues.
In postmenopause, symptoms of menopause may have eased or stopped entirely, but some women continue to have symptoms for longer. The change in your body's hormones however is a sign to keep looking after your health and wellbeing, and be mindful to listen to your body.
B vitamins are essential for energy and mood—“two things a lot of menopausal women struggle with,” says Dr. Petrucci. She suggests a B complex supplement, which often includes vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.