Rebecca A. Muminovic, M.D. A cool mom and a great doc.
Fatigue has reached epidemic proportions.
Parents often hear, “Oh yes you have kids so , you are suppose to be tired.” Hog and wash! Undoubtedly there is some level of fatigue that that goes along with being a parent. Let’s look at my household for a second just to illustrate a typical busy family’s schedule: Up at 6 am; cartoons on and brew coffee; get ready for work; breakfast; leave for work; work all day; come home and feed kids their dinner; before going to the gym, come home and eat my dinner; play with kids; bath kids; put kids to bed; clean up the A bomb that was dropped in the playroom; check email; fall into bed; roll over at 3 am into my 4 year old son who has crawled into the bed at some point; place him with all the love in my heart on daddy’s side of the bed and go back to sleep; repeat daily. Whoowee be right back, I need a nap…
So yes some level of fatigue may be normal, but not unrelenting fatigue that clouds your mind and interferes with your daily life. There are many medical reasons for fatigue and if you have been experiencing this unrelenting fatigue you need to look for reasons other than simply being a crazy busy parent. First, the most obvious reason is simply not getting enough sleep. The ideal sleep duration for optimal body functioning is 8 hours. Those with babies and toddlers know that this is often an unobtainable goal, but tag team with your significant other to try and get as much sleep as you can. If you have a new baby, sleep when the baby sleeps. Try to hit the sack early especially if you know your children will be up in the night.
Not enough fuel in the tank? If you don’t put gas in your car it dies by the side of the road, and this is also true for your metabolism. You have to eat for your body to function properly. The best way is to eat 5-6 small meals in a day. Small frequent meals keep your engine running at a consistent level and prevent cravings and swings of hunger. In addition don’t overload on sugar or caffeine. They may give you an immediate high but your lows will come and cause both mood alterations and metabolic shifts. Be sure you are not dehydrated as well, especially with summer not far away.
Drink to your level of thirst and keep your cup filled with good old fashion water! In addition be on the lookout for food allergies or sensitivities that may influence your energy levels. Always feeling poorly after eating certain foods? Keep a food dairy and see if there is a trend. Listen to what your body may be trying to tell you!
Feeling down? Depression can cause fatigue as well. Be on the lookout for other signs like hopelessness, excessive sleeping, tearfulness, lack of joy for things you normally love, amongst others. If you feel that 2 or more of these may apply to you, see your doctor for help. Postpartum depression is a serious form of depression that can be devastating if left untreated. Becoming a new parent in itself is difficult much less adding all of the hormonal changes to boot, and combined with exhaustion and isolation it can be deadly. There is no shame in asking for help if you need it. Wouldn’t you help someone in need and think none the less of them?
Anemia, diabetes, heart disease, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia are other medical conditions that often present with fatigue. The point is that if you have been exhausted for some time, you need to be sure that there is not another treatable reason for your fatigue.
As always ladies, I will shout it form the mountain top…..TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF! If you don’t take care of yourself first you cannot take care of others. Taking care of your body, mind, and spirit will teach your children to do the same. Live well and show your children how to do the same.
Dr. Rebecca Muminovic is a real Richmond mom and doctor at HCA Hospitals who “gets it”–we love her style.
