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Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen

Beth brings a unique combination of sharp business expertise and women's health insight to her leadership of the organization. Beth has worked in the health care industry for more than 25 years helping to define and drive public education programs on a broad range of women's health issues. She launched and has expanded the HealthyWomen.org brand. As a result of her leadership, HealthyWomen was recognized as one of the top 100 women's health web sites by Forbes for three consecutive years, and was recognized by Oprah magazine as one of the top women's health web sites. HealthyWomen now connects to millions of women across the country through its wide program distribution and innovative use of technology.

Beth is responsible for the business development and strategic positioning of HealthyWomen. She creates partnerships with key health care professionals and consumer groups to provide strategic, engaging and informative award-winning programs. She serves as the organization's chief spokesperson, regularly participating in corporate, non-profit, community and media events. She also is a practicing nurse in maternal child health at Riverview Medical Center- Hackensack Meridian Health, in Red Bank, NJ.

In addition to her nursing degree, Beth holds degrees in political science, business and public administration from Marymount University.

To stay sane, she loves to run and compete in road races. She enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and young son, and welcoming new babies into the world.

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tired woman

7 Surprising Reasons You're Tired All the Time

Self-Care & Mental Health
This article has been archived. We will no longer be updating it. For our most up-to-date information, please visit our fatigue information here.

Take a hefty dose of tossing and turning in bed some nights and add in a generous heap of too few hours of sleep.

That's a sure-fire recipe for one tired person.

But sleep is not the only culprit behind that frustrating feeling of fatigue. There are other things that you may not even realize you're doing—or not doing, for that matter—that can sap your oomph and make it challenging to put one foot in front of the other.

One in every five Americans feels fatigue severe enough to interfere with their daily lives, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ask yourself these questions the next time you dream of having more energy:

Am I exercising enough?
Sure, it seems counterintuitive: How can you exercise if you're feeling so tired? But exercise reaps benefits when it comes to energy. A University of Georgia study found that when inactive adults began low-to-moderate aerobic exercise three days a week for just 20 minutes, they actually felt less fatigued after six weeks. Exercise enhances blood flow that carries oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissue, thus enhancing its ability to churn out more energy. Short on time? Even briefer bouts of exercise that get your heart pumping can be beneficial, experts report.

Am I drinking enough?
Even if you're sitting still and not exercising, your body still needs water to function at its best. Since about 50 percent to 60 percent of your body weight is comprised of water—which you are continually losing through urine, sweat and just plain breathing—you need to replenish it. Fatigue can be a sign of dehydration. Studies have found that even mild dehydration can affect your energy level. Older people are particularly susceptible to becoming dehydrated for a number of reasons: their sense of thirst is less acute and their bodies can't conserve water as well and are less able to respond to changes in temperature.

Am I drinking too much?

Alcohol has a sedative effect, robbing you of energy and making you feel lethargic or drowsy. And, if you think that sedative effect will help you in the sleep department, it's time to reconsider. Several hours after your nightcap, the level of epinephrine rises in your body. Epinephrine is a stress hormone that causes an increase in heart rate; as a result, your sleep will be interrupted throughout the night.

Am I stressed?
Sure, some stress can give you an energy boost but too much can be draining. Stress and worry take up a lot of energy and are two common culprits responsible for stealing your energy stores. Other psychological conditions, like grief and depression, can also sap your energy.

Am I taking medications?
Certain drugs and medications, like antidepressants, steroids, antihistamines, antihypertensives, and even statins, can cause fatigue. So can withdrawing from a medication.

Am I in pain?
Chronic pain disrupts sleep. It's not unusual for people who suffer with it to wake up tired, even though they've slept for a long time. And it's draining to endure and fight pain throughout the day and night.

Do I have certain health conditions?
The list is long—fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, anemia, heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, acute liver failure, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism, obesity and diabetes are among some medical complaints that can cause fatigue.

Read More:
Sleep Disorders
Could You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Is Menopause Playing Havoc With Your Sleep?

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