Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Digestion and Its Treatment

Whenever we talk about sleep deprivation, the most common side effects that come to our mind are headache, fatigue, irritability, etc. These are something that all of us deal with if we haven’t completed our sleeping hours. But are you aware of digestive issues that are caused by sleep deprivation? Yes, there is a connection between these two different functions of the body. Lack of sleep can impact your digestive system too. So in this write-up, we will talk about how less sleep can become the reason for poor gastrointestinal health. Also, learn about some ayurvedic solutions for instant relief from acidity.

The connection between sleep and the digestive system

Having enough sleep is always recommended because it gives time to our body to heal and rest, our brain to consolidate fresh memories, allow new tissues to grow, and increase blood supply in our muscles. Our digestive system also benefits from proper sleep. Sleep allows the digestive system to rest at night or when we sleep. During the day time, our body needs glucose which is the main source of energy. Glucose acts as fuel for our muscles, nerves, joints and digestive system. Hence, it means that our digestive system keeps on working and breaking down food to fulfil the demand for glucose. However, the requirement for glucose decreases when we sleep. As a result, both the digestive system and metabolism gradually slows down. And, it provides energy to our digestive system to function appropriately. Therefore, enough sleep is mandatory because without the appropriate supply of energy, our digestive system cannot break down the food efficiently which can result in many unpleasant symptoms like stomach ache, acidity, bloating, etc.

Effects of poor sleep on the digestive system

More craving for sugar Do you crave more sugar after a poor sleep at night? Yes, it’s normal to have these hunger pangs. Having enough night sleep is necessary for maintaining a healthy energy level. After a disturbed sleep, our body will need more food for supplying fuel that we need. Also, the level of ghrelin (hunger hormone) will increase after improper sleep and the level of leptin Ian appetite suppressor) decreases. As a result, we crave more unhealthy snacks that affect the working of the digestive system. It is difficult for our digestive system to break down processed carbohydrates, which cause health issues like constipation. Also, sugar feeds unhealthy bacteria in our gut that gives birth to symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating, etc. Make us more vulnerable to inflammation IBD (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is also known as inflammatory disorders. It refers to different digestive conditions like Crohn’s. Sometimes issues in the immune system also become a reason for IBD when the immune cells attack the intestinal tissue, resulting in inflammation. Sleep deprivation can increase this problem by enhancing pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing more inflammation in the whole body, along with joints, muscles and gastrointestinal tract. Affects neurochemicals like melatonin and serotonin Our sleep-wake cycle is based on the balance between cortisol (stress hormone) and melatonin (sleep hormone). In a healthy body, the level of melatonin should increase in the evening and the level of cortisol should be at the peak in the morning. This will allow us to sleep peacefully at night without any unnecessary sleep break and wake up fresh in the morning. This cycle is impacted by sleep deprivation, which causes a problem for our gut health. It affects our bowel movements and causes pain sensitivity. Conclusion Having a proper bedtime routine is essential to keep ourselves away from digestive disorders such as IBD, GERD, etc. We need to take care of certain habits and positions to avoid these issues: ● Avoid heavy snacks and big meals before going to bed. ● Take out some time to relax before sleeping. ● Take care of sleeping positions. By remembering these points, we can always keep the effect of sleep deprivation on our digestive system at bay. But, if mild symptoms still occur, we can rely on ayurvedic antacids that are natural remedies for gas trouble.