Digestive health influences sleep quality: study

2023-05-29 20:00:13

• Digestive and sleep disorders have a close relationship that can affect the quality of life.
• It is currently estimated that 17% of Mexican adults suffer from insomnia and 40% have reflux.
• World Digestive Health Day is commemorated every May 29.

Food is necessary and mandatory for all people. You cannot live without eating, although as with other aspects, the ideal is to have a balance. Both lack and abundance endanger the digestive health and they can be the beginning of problems of various magnitudes.

Now, something that is not always taken into account is the link between digestive health and sleep quality. These are two fundamental aspects to maintain a balanced lifestyle and promote general well-being. Different scientific investigations have shown a close relationship between the two, such as the one entitled “Nutrition-related sleep disorders and digestive diseases: a neglected clinical condition”.

How does this relationship originate?

The study published by the Library of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) mentions that patients with inadequate dietary habits and chronic digestive disorders often sleep less and poorly. At the same time that sleep disorders can represent a main symptom of digestive diseases.

Dr. Guadalupe Terán Pérez, president of the Mexican Society for Research and Sleep Medicinesaid that 17% of the Mexican population suffers from insomnia and other people have frequent awakenings, and according to the Mexican Association of Gastroenterology (AMG)up to 40% have reflux.

under the World Digestive Health Day, which is commemorated every May 29, one must be aware that good sleep is crucial for the absorption of essential nutrients and the elimination of waste from the body. When this aspect is compromised, various problems arise. Within the list are indigestion, constipation, inflammation and other gastrointestinal disorders, which negatively impact the quality of sleep.

world day of #SaludDigestiva | Find out how to take care of your digestion, intestinal flora and defenses with the sessions “Learning to eat well” that #NutrIMSS teaches at #UMF. pic.twitter.com/HKQb0tWPK9

— IMSS (@Your_IMSS) May 29, 2023

Gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, also cause discomfort at night, such as heartburn, abdominal pain, flatulence and urgency to defecate, making it difficult to get a good rest.

Dr. Guadalupe Terán Pérez explained that little and bad sleep causes people to feel tired and drowsy during the day, makes them irritable and alters the digestive process.

“Sleeping well helps us not only to rest but also to repair our body. It regulates our defense system, our emotions and also allows us to make better decisions, be more productive and helps our digestive health. If warning signs are detected such as repeated difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or symptoms during the day of tiredness, drowsiness or fatigue, you should see a specialist who can recommend extended-release melatonin.

Stress and digestive health

On the other hand, it has also been identified that the current lifestyle is harmful to the stomach. Specifically, stress can worsen the symptoms of an existing digestive condition.

With this in mind, living a fast-paced life increases the likelihood of developing problems like heartburn, indigestion, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Also read:

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Technostress, the new pathology that increases with the home office

How does stress affect the digestive system?