6 surprising reasons you are always tired

culled from:pulse.ng

It is normal to get tired sometimes but if you are always tired, then it is abnormal.

Check out six reasons you are always tired according to Sharon Bergquist, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory University in Atlanta.

1. Overeating before bed- Overeating and drinking alcohol close to bedtime can make you drowsy, but can also keep you awake, or trigger heartburn, the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. If you’re hungry before bed, have a small snack of carbohydrate and protein like cereal and milk, those are more able to settle you for sleep.
2. Too much caffeine- We all love our caffeine, some of us, a little too much, “but caffeine stays in your blood for six hours. So don’t drink coffee, or anything with caffeine, after three p.m.,” says Bergquist.
3. Depression- An early sign of depression is not having the energy or desire to get out of bed, says Bergquist. If you suspect that you’re depressed, lean on friends and family. “And exercise, exercise, exercise,” says Bergquist. “It releases chemicals called endorphins that elevate mood.”
4. You are thirsty- “Your muscles need enough water to have maximum endurance,” says Bergquist. “Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink fluids. A good gauge is the color your urine. If it’s dark yellow, you’re dehydrated.”
5. A medical condition- Many medical conditions, such as anemia, an underactive thyroid, diabetes, and heart disease, can sqaunder energy. “If you have tried to get adequate sleep, healthy foods, and exercise, and you’re still tired, or if there’s a sudden change in your energy level, see your doctor to get a medical evaluation,” says Bergquist.
6. Sugar snacks- “When you eat processed foods like sugar, white bread, and chocolate, your blood glucose”, the fuel created from the food you eat, ”peaks in a half hour to 60 minutes,” says Bergquist. “Then your blood sugar drops leaving you fatigued.” So, eat complex carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables, and proteins like low-fat yogurt, egg-white omelets, and nuts, which release glucose slowly, providing steady energy.