Sudden Fatigue Episodes: Important Things to Know

Everybody knows the tired, sluggish sort of fatigue that occurs after a sleepless night, or the exhaustion felt after a long workout. But sometimes, women experience a different sort of tiredness - a sudden drop in energy that can affect their ability to work and think. This sudden fatigue and tiredness can be difficult to deal with, yet not impossible to resolve.

Continue reading all about sudden fatigue episodes, including what they are, their causes, and effective treatment techniques for optimal energy.

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About Sudden Fatigue

Unlike the better-known chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sudden episodes of fatigue come on very quickly. These episodes are characterized by deep, heavy tiredness or weakness and reduced energy levels.

Episodes of sudden fatigue and weakness are often different than sleepiness. Somebody experiencing fatigue does not necessarily feel the need to sleep, but has little energy to perform tasks and activities.

Symptoms of sudden fatigue can be both physical - a sensation of heaviness and tiredness in the body - and psychological - difficulty concentrating or focusing and feeling less awake. 

Sudden Fatigue Causes

There is a variety of underlying reasons for sudden fatigue, many of which are related to circumstantial decisions made that provoke extreme tiredness out of nowhere.

Some sudden fatigue causes include:

• Hormonal imbalance. The most common cause of sudden bouts of fatigue that begin to occur around menopause is the changes that happen in hormonal levels, namely estrogen and progesterone levels.

• Psychological strain. Psychological strain is another common reason for sudden fatigue. Stress from work, relationships, social conflicts, etc. can provoke physical manifestations in the body, like sudden onset fatigue.

• Unhealthy eating habits. Post-meal tiredness can be caused by eating too many refined carbs, which evoke a spike in blood sugar levels and subsequent crash. Also, if you eat too much, the body sends more blood to the digestive system to help break down the food, thus causing a temporary nutrient shortage in the brain.

• Cardiovascular problems. A number of different heart problems and difficulties can bring on a sudden feeling of tiredness. For instance, severe arrhythmia can decrease blood circulation, thus causing a woman to feel suddenly fatigued or lightheaded.

Taking a step back and evaluating the aspects of your life that may be responsible for the sudden episodes of fatigue will help you as a first step toward finding relief.

In all cases, you may wish to visit a doctor to understand which sudden fatigue causes are most probable.

Treatment Options

There are a few lifestyle changes that can help to treat sudden fatigue by increasing energy and promoting endocrine system health. They are to:

• Change eating habits. Follow a menopause diet that consists of soy products, beans, legumes, and more, broken up into smaller meals that are consumed more often throughout the day.

• Get a full night's sleep. Almost two thirds of postmenopausal women report insomnia symptoms.¹ Not getting a restful night's sleep of seven to eight hours each night is recipe for suffering from a sudden bout of fatigue.

• Exercise regularly. Peri- and postmenopausal women should strive to do menopause exercise routines that consist of aerobic exercise, strength training, stretching, and stability. 

• Reduce stress. As aforementioned, stressful situations can take a toll on one's psychological state, which can lead to sudden episodes of fatigue. So, practice stress-reduction techniques, like yoga, deep breathing techniques, or meditation.

Nevertheless, the best way to handle sudden fatigue is to address the underlying cause. To learn more, click on the following link to be brought to natural and effective fatigue treatments that will get you back up and on your feet in no time.