Does Sleep Deprivation Cause Nausea?: Nausea after a disturbing night’s sleep is a widespread problem for a lot of individuals. Now, it seems that a lack of sleep can not only make you feel tired and grumpy but also interfere with digestion. What is more, the lack of sleep can cause nausea and other stomach issues.
Sleeping is a must for the proper aspects of the body. At times, when insomnia enters upon us, several factors in the body like digestion become dysfunctional. The article shows how the lack of sleep may manifest as the nausea symptom and how you can avoid this distressing feeling.
1. How Does Lack of Sleep Cause Nausea?
Disrupts the Digestive System
Your body needs to have a well-regulated internal clock for the digestive process to work smoothly. When you steadfastly refuse to get any rest, the body reacts by slowing down the digestion process that in turn results in the feeling of bloating, acid reflux, and nausea. There was a trial conducted by the Sleep Foundation, which revealed that having an insufficient sleep may bring to health problems such as the stomach issues (e.g., nausea, and vomiting).
Triggers Hormonal Imbalance
Lack of sleep causes the reduction of hormone production in the body. Cortisol, the stress hormone, escalates its levels in people when there is not enough time for rest. Elevated stress hormone levels are capable of increasing health problems, such as nausea and severe headaches, fainting. Moreover, when melatonin is at low levels, you might experience vomiting. Melatonin is the sleep hormone that takes part in digestion and can cause the feeling of nausea if it is at low levels.
Weakens the Immune System
Sleeplessness lower the levels of the immune system. There can be an inflammation in the body marking the stomach and hence lead to the disease. In addition to this inflammation, the stomach may accumulate acid, sometimes causing you to feel sick, and even in extreme cases cause you to vomit.
2. Common Symptoms of Sleep-Deprived Nausea
Nausea resulting from a lack of sleep is the main reason of sickness in most people as experienced by:
- Stomach discomfort or bloating
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- A sour taste in the mouth (acid reflux)
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches and body fatigue
These symptoms may worsen with sleep deprivation continuing.
3. Who Is Most at Risk?
Only some people are mostly susceptible to nausea arising from sleep debt. Those exhibiting a higher risk are:
- Shift workers – We only sleep at different times, which usually causes the food to stay in the stomach a bit longer, thus disrupts the digestive system.
- People with anxiety – Stress and not having enough sleep are associated with nausea.
- Pregnant women – As the hormonal situation is different, and they have had sleepless nights, it has been noticed that morning sickness occurs in such women.
- Individuals with GERD – Non-treated GER causes a negative impact on the sleep.
- Chronic insomniacs – The regular schedule of sleeping for fewer than six hours.
4. How to Prevent Nausea from Sleep Deprivation
Get Enough Sleep
Adults should sleep by 7: 00 if one wants to wake up at 7: 00, thus adults need a total of 12 hours with regular bedtime and wake-up times in order to sleep enough.
Eat Light Before Bed
Big meals before bed can lead to acid reflux and nausea. Be disciplined and choose things such as fruits and whole grains if at all you decide to eat before sleep to avoid the bloated feeling that comes after.
Stay Hydrated
One of the ways dehydration can be avoided is by drinking a lot of fluids during the day. Dehydration can cause nausea which is aggravated by lack of sleep.
Reduce Stress
Diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are some of the activities that can be done for at least 10 minutes. High levels of stress can be attributed to nausea and also to having a poor sleep quality.
Improve Sleep Environment
Optimize the environment in which you sleep, try to keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Also, make a habit of using blackout curtains and avoid too much screen time just before going to bed. These two simple disciplines can significantly improve your sleep quality.
Consider Natural Remedies
Ginger tea, peppermint, and chamomile may help you with the nausea that you might experience after a lousy night’s sleep.
5. When to See a Doctor
Every now and then, when your body lacks sleep, you may feel some nausea, but it is not a serious issue. Yet, if nausea is something that persists or even worsens for a few days, you should not think twice, consult a doctor right away. On the downside, sleepiness is a silent killer that can induce even big GI disorders among them.
The reasons for nausea include lack of sleep as well as stomach and head pain, which in turn causes greater stress. One of the most appropriated and simplest ways to boost your energy and thus, reduce nausea is to fit into a regulated sleep schedule; otherwise, you can easily get some medical advice. Having the best night’s sleep every night doesn’t only improve digestion but also gives you a better mood and overall health.