Why am I always hungry?

Symptoms:

» You find yourself wanting to eat all the time but you’re losing weight, you’re intolerant of cold and your palms feel sweaty, you have palpitations.

You’re going » through a bad patch at work, you’re not sleeping and you’re feeling depressed. When you feel really down you hit the chocolate bars.

» For about 10 days every month before your period your eating goes out of control. You feel bloated, your breasts are tender, you’re irritable and tired.

It could be:

» Hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland is overactive. The thyroid hormone controls your rate of metabolism and besides affecting your appetite and weight it affects your mood and energy levels.

» Comfort eating because of depression. Eating releases the feelgood hormone serotonin in the brain so eating can feel like an antidote to depression.

» PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome which is the result of a hormone deficiency occuring normally in the week before a period starts.

Stop it:

» See your GP for thyroid tests and referral to a specialist for treatment that will damp down your thyroid function.

» Food generally only » provides a short-term boost and shouldn’t be used to help depression. Speak to your doctor about how you’re feeling. Therapy could be tried before taking antidepressants. Try yoga and mindfulness.

» Try taking regular daily exercise, yoga or Pilates, and eating a healthy diet. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and sugar can help relieve symptoms. See your doctor if PMS persists despite the self-help measures.