Why am I so Tired? Is it Chronic Fatigue? What Can Be Done and Why It Matters After 50

I see lots of women who say they are fatigued. Some come with a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from their doctor, while others self-diagnose with chronic fatigue, burnout, or adrenal exhaustion. The bottom line is the same: these women want more energy to live their lives.

So, what is chronic fatigue?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex medical condition characterised by long-term, persistent fatigue that isn’t improved by rest. It often comes with symptoms like pain, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. It’s a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other possible causes must be ruled out first, and that process can be long, frustrating, and often leaves women feeling dismissed.

I see many women exhaust themselves trying to prove how exhausted they are, just for a label to make it real. But to me, a diagnosis isn’t the most important thing—you don’t need to convince me that you're tired. I believe you. My focus is on gently uncovering the root causes behind your fatigue, because they’re unique to you.

Naturopathic medicine takes a holistic view of health. Rather than masking symptoms, we look for the drivers underneath them. And in my clinic, these are the drivers I most commonly see:

Common Drivers of Fatigue in Women Over 50

Chronic Stress

Prolonged physical, emotional, or mental stress overworks the adrenal glands and disrupts hormone balance.

-       I often see this in women who care deeply for others: mothers, daughters, sisters, workers, who put everyone else first and have done so for decades.

Poor Lifestyle Habits

Irregular sleep, poor nutrition, excessive caffeine and alcohol, and lack of rest are often coping mechanisms for stress.

-       I commonly see this as a response to stress. As physical, emotional, or mental stresses build, women often pick up habits like staying up late, pushing through, skipping meals or eating out more, excessively consuming caffeine and soothing with alcohol.

Blood Sugar Imbalance

Frequent spikes and crashes in blood sugar can stress the adrenals and can disrupt cortisol rhythms. These fluctuations contribute to feelings of anxiety, fatigue, and irritability, and over time may lead to insulin resistance.

-       I see this in women who are skipping meals, relying on refined carbs and caffeine to get through the day, or going long hours without eating, especially those juggling work, family, and personal demands with little time for nourishment.

Chronic Infections or Inflammation:

Ongoing low-grade infections (e.g., viruses or gut dysbiosis) keep the immune system in overdrive.

-       I see this in women who never feel quite well, who describe themselves as always fighting something or never fully recovering after illness.

Environmental Toxins

Regular exposure to pollutants, heavy metals, alcohol, plastics, fragrances, mould, and chemical residues creates a toxic burden that the liver. This constant pressure can deplete the body’s resources and impact hormone balance.

-       I see this in women working in high-exposure environments (like cleaning or hairdressing), or simply using conventional products for years without knowing their impact.

Mary’s Story

I wanted to share a story of my client Mary. She came to me at 62, telling me she’d had chronic fatigue since 1982. That’s four decades of exhaustion!

When we first met, she had enough energy to get through her part-time job three days a week and then she would collapse onto the couch at home, sometimes falling asleep without dinner. The rest of her week was spent driving long hours to care for her ageing parents, managing their house, shopping, and cleaning. Her adult children were not getting along, and she often found herself emotionally caught in the middle. Her joy had slipped through the cracks.

Mary had coeliac disease and still experienced gut issues despite being gluten-free. Seasonal allergies troubled her, and her only ritual of joy was her morning black coffee made with freshly ground beans. When I asked if anything significant happened in 1982 to trigger her fatigue, she couldn’t identify a moment.

My naturopathic assessment told me the weight of caring for others had simply taken a slow and steady toll on Mary. She had never fully recovered after being diagnosed with the autoimmune condition coeliac disease, she had long-standing gut problems and morning coffee, while comforting, was also overstimulating her already depleted nervous system and contributing to her energy crashes. My assessment way the underlying causes of Mary’s fatigue was inflammation, immune dysfunction, nutrient absorption issues, leading to cortisol dysregulation.  

How We Worked Together

We began gently. Mary’s body had been in survival mode for years, what she needed was care, not pressure.

First, I focused on supporting her energy with key nutrients involved in mitochondrial function, along with calming, nourishing herbs for the nervous system. This phase was about giving her just enough fuel and stability to feel a glimmer of vitality.

Next, we looked at gut health. This is where things got tricky—Mary was highly reactive to histamine-rich foods, which flared her gut symptoms. Even though she was strictly gluten-free, her digestive system was inflamed. We took it slow, supporting her with specific digestive enzymes while using herbs and nutrients to gently repair the gut lining.

Only when her energy stabilised and her reactions eased did we begin to make broader lifestyle changes—nutritional shifts, gentle movement, and stress management practices that felt achievable and empowering, not overwhelming.

About two months into our work together, she came into the clinic smiling. “I finally asked my brother to help with Mum and Dad,” she told me. That simple act—one that had felt impossible just weeks before—lifted a huge burden and gave her space to begin really healing.

Today, Mary is still on her journey, but she’s no longer stuck. She’s reclaiming her life, bit by bit, with more energy, clarity, and joy than she’s had in decades.

If you’re reading this and thinking this sounds like me, you’re not alone. So many women over 50 feel stuck in a cycle of exhaustion that no amount of rest seems to fix. The first step is understanding your body’s story and knowing that recovery doesn’t need to be rushed to be real.

Action step: Start by tuning in. Keep a fatigue journal for the next 5–7 days. Write down:

• What you eat

• How you sleep

• When your energy dips or improves

• What stresses arise

• Any gut or mood symptoms
  Patterns will start to show—and that’s where clarity begins.

If you’re ready to uncover what’s driving your fatigue and begin a plan tailored to your body, your story, and your pace, I’d love to work with you.

You can book a free 15-minute discovery call to see how we could work together.

Disclaimer: This advice is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have allergies, are taking medication, or have a diagnosed illness, please consult a qualified health professional before implementing any recommendations. If symptoms persist or worsen, please book a consultation with a practitioner.

Kerry Knafl, B.HS Naturopathy, B.Ed

Clinical Naturopath in Caboolture, Queensland

Sage and Thyme Naturopathic Clinic Serving Moreton Bay and surrounding areas: Caboolture | Morayfield | Elimbah | Bribie Island | Burpengary | Narangba

Online consultations are available Australia-wide

Specialising in natural sleep, pain, immune, hormone and general wellness solutions for adults 50+