Sleep-related eating disorders: be on the lookout!

Sleep-related eating disorders can affect your health. When you do not control your eating, you will easily gain weight and become obese. In addition, this disorder may be related to certain medications, eating disorders, and other sleep disorders.

1. What is a sleep-related eating disorder?

Sleep-related eating disorders are frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating behavior while in a state of sleep. You may lose some or all of your behavior when preparing to eat and when eating. The next morning, you may remember only partially or completely nothing of the acts of eating the night before.

This disorder can be dangerous. You can injure yourself during food preparation or ingest toxic things, including non-food items.

Symptom

Sleep-related eating disorder is a pseudo-insomnia. Characterized by abnormal activities or behaviors that occur during falling asleep, sleeping, or waking.

Episodes of sleep-related eating disorders usually occur in the first half of the night after you've fallen asleep.

Sleep-related eating disorders: be on the lookout!

Sleep-related eating disorder is considered a pseudo-insomnia

Symptoms include:

  • Often, possibly nightly, eating out of control
  • Loss of consciousness when preparing food and when eating
  • Do not remember or only partially remember these actions the next morning
  • Eat foods rich in carbohydrates and fats
  • It is possible to ingest toxic substances, inedible substances. Like frozen food, coffee grounds, cleaning solutions or cigarette butts
  • Possible injury or dangerous activities when preparing food
  • Not easily awakened in a flash
  • Negative health effects from eating at night

>> Learn More What is a Sleep Disorder (Sleep Horror)?

Reason

Sleep-related eating disorders often occur during the non-rapid eye movement sleep phase. And usually in the first half of the night.

The exact mechanism for causing this disorder is still unknown. However, sleep-related eating disorders are more common in people with a history of sleepwalking. So these conditions may be related.

The danger elements

Sleep-related eating disorders are more common in women. The disorder usually begins in the late teens or early 20s.

The risk of developing a sleep-related eating disorder is related to:

  • Other sleep disorders. Like obstructive sleep apnea, sleepwalking, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome
  • Sleeping pills. Like zolpidem and some other drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics

      >> See more Sleeping pills: Effectiveness and harm

  • Eating disorders during the day. For example, bulimia or loss of appetite
  • Mental health disorders. Such as stress, anxiety or depression
  • Have a close relative: a parent, child, or sibling with an eating disorder or sleep-related sleepwalking
  • Experiencing sleep deprivation

Symptoms

Sleep-related eating disorders: be on the lookout!

Be wary of complications caused by sleep-related eating disorders

Sleep-related eating disorders can lead to:

  • Using dangerous kitchen appliances
  • Falling, cutting hands, burns
  •  Choking, injury from ingesting something inedible or toxic
  • Health problems, such as weight gain, poor diabetes control, or tooth decay
  • Feelings of guilt and helplessness due to lack of control
  • Tired of the day because of interrupted sleep

Eating disorders related to sleep can be dangerous, affecting your health and safety. If you or a loved one has any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor for appropriate interventions.

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