Page 81 - BBC - The Scientific Guide to a Healthier You

SLEEP

There’s also increasing interest in using “It’s amazing how many people don’t associate
so-called ‘chronobiotic agents’ to adjust the body their daytime fatigue with poor night-time
clock to counter sleep-related problems and sleep. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of getting
mood disorders. Studies investigating whether enough sleep. People are amazed when I ask
melatonin tablets can reduce fatigue have been them to do an activity diary, and then I ask:

mixed and doctors warn against overusing them. ‘Well, when actually do you rest?’ They say:
by SIMON
But some new types of antidepressants, such ‘I’m resting here, when I’m on Facebook’. And
CROMPTON
as agomelatine, work by regulating circadian I have to tell them, sorry, but that’s not resting.
(@Simoncrompton2)
rhythms and there’s evidence they improve “We’re in a society on a treadmill. It’s Simon is a freelance
daytime functioning and reduce fatigue. constantly push, push, push. And sometimes science and health writer,
Some of us are tired for the simplest of that just isn’t sustainable for us, neither and formerly a medical
reasons, yet unaware of it, says Prof Newton: physically nor mentally.” editor on The Times.

DIET CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL DRUGS WORRY AND DEPRESSION
Being overweight can cause The trouble with coffee is that Fatigue can be caused by Lack of sleep and fatigue are
tiredness because your body you need to keep drinking it: a prescribed and recreational strongly linked with depression

is having to work harder to common symptom of caffeine drugs. It has been reported as and anxiety. Some researchers
perform everyday activities. withdrawal is fatigue. Research a side effect of statins, allergy believe that widespread
It also increases your risk of from the Johns Hopkins Medical medications, hormone therapy depression could be the reason
so-called ‘obstructive sleep School found that although and many cancer treatments. why so many of us feel
apnoea’ where the tissues in caffeine drinkers think their The high experienced with constantly tired. Studies
the throat collapse, causing drink of choice improves their drugs such as cocaine, speed carried out by the Texas A&M
airway blockage. This leads to performance and mood, in fact and ecstasy is often followed Institute for Neuroscience back
constant sleep interruption it just counteracts the effects by a comedown of tiredness this up. Researchers measuring
and daytime tiredness. of caffeine withdrawal. and depression. Scientists at brain oxygen levels of people
What you eat is also Alcohol causes tiredness too. Imperial College London doing various tasks found they
important. Low levels of iron Short-term, it can result in showed that long-term fatigued more quickly when
and B vitamins can cause restless sleep and dehydration. smoking of marijuana lowers completing complex mental
tiredness. And having a diet Long-term, it can lead to levels of dopamine – a brain activities. The brain’s resources
high in fast-burning sugary anxiety and depression, chemical that plays a key were being divided. So stress
carbohydrates leaves you tired conditions which are linked to role in motivation, pleasure and mental frustration make
when the sugar wears off. lethargy and sleeplessness. and reward. us tire more easily.

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, GETTY TIP: Dietitians recommend TIP: Test whether caffeine or TIP: If you’re on prescription TIP: Try an NHS quiz at bit.ly/

a balanced diet, including
meds, look up possible side
mood_quiz to help establish
alcohol are the culprits for
effects on the leaflet. Visit your
whether your state of mind is
complex carbs, such as
making you tired. Don’t drink
behind your tiredness. If you
doctor or pharmacist to discuss
them for at least a week, so you
brown rice, which is slowly
think you might suffer from
metabolised and leads to
any concerns. For info about
get over withdrawal symptoms
less of an energy dip.
drugs, visit talktofrank.com
depression, visit your doctor.
before feeling better.