The Relationship Between IBS and Sleep Disturbances

Are you having trouble sleeping? It could be because of a digestive disorder.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain and altering bowel habits. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, 25 to 45 million people in the United States suffer from IBS. And a total of 10 to 15 percent of the world population is affected by it.

Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome isn’t just uncomfortable, but it also impacts the quality of life. Starting from symptoms of pain and discomfort, IBS leads to increased psychological distress. It affects stress level, anxiety and most importantly disturbs sleeping patterns.

The Relationship Between IBS and Sleep

A study from US National Library of Medicine explored the prevalence and association of sleep disturbances in patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The research indicates that sleep disorders are more common with IBS than healthy people. Moreover, a total of 37.6% of IBS people suffer from sleep disorders, but its intensity differs with age, gender, occupation and more.

Sleep Phases And IBS

Patients with IBS experience irregularity in the third stage of sleep called the non-rapid eye movement, commonly known as deep sleep. This leads to tiredness in the morning.

Moreover, people with IBS experience an increased fourth phase of sleep, called rapid eye movement (REM). This stage is associated with heavy dreaming and can contribute to sleep disturbance.

A Sleepless Night - A Bad IBS Day

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine states that a bad night’s sleep can trigger IBS the next morning. The intensity of symptoms depends upon how bad you slept at night. To avoid such a situation, get proper sleep every day.

Fortunately, a bad IBS day doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to sleep at night. Even if you’ve been experiencing symptoms throughout the day, you can still get some shut eye during the night.

Ways To Improve Sleep

Here’s how you can make sure you get a good night’s sleep to avoid triggering your IBS symptoms.

• Staying active throughout the day can improve your sleep at night.
• Take some time to relax before bedtime.
• Avoid drinking or eating a few hours before heading to bed.
• Take digestive enzyme supplements to relieve IBS symptoms.

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