- A study published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, analyzing data from about 2,600 individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), found an association between shortened sleep duration and worsened symptoms and hospitalizations.
- Researchers and experts point to the importance of sleep for gut health, not only for those with IBD, but everyone.
Skimping on sleep and making up for it with naps could do more than sabotage your energy during the day. A recent study suggests it could worsen inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the research looks at about 2,600 individuals with IBD over a 12-year period. Comparing their sleep duration and frequency of daytime napping with symptom flareups and hospitalizations for their condition, researchers found those who slept for five hours per night had significantly more IBD challenges compared to those who got seven hours of sleep nightly.
More frequent napping, particularly done every day rather than occasionally, also exacerbated IBD symptoms, the researchers added.
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While this may prompt people with IBD to focus on sleep quality, even those without the condition might want to do that same, as other studies point out the importance of sleep for gut health. For example, a review published earlier this year in Brain Research Bulletin points out that abnormal sleep patterns can affect the diversity and function of the gut microbiota. Another research review published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology calls out a possible association between sleep problems and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
In terms of why this happens, researchers suggest disruption of the circadian rhythm sets off a chain reaction that prompts inflammation. Not only does that put stress on the immune system, but it can also create challenges for the gastrointestinal system.
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One aspect of research on sleep duration and napping to keep in mind is that short sleep may not be the cause of a problem like IBD—instead, it could be a symptom of an issue that’s already developing, says W. Chris Winter, M.D., president of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, and author of The Sleep Solution.
“In many cases, disrupted sleep, insomnia, or other sleep problems can be early warning signs of health concerns,” he told Runner’s World. For example, previous studies have shown an association between frequent napping and chronic disease, but Winter said that doesn’t mean you’ll develop congestive heart failure or diabetes just because you love taking a nap every day. Instead, it’s likely the health issue is what’s making you fatigued enough to need a nap, especially if you sleep poorly at night.
The same may be true for IBD, he added. If you find yourself struggling with new sleep issues, and particularly if you have some signs of IBD like diarrhea and abdominal pain, that could be an early indication of an inflammatory problem.
Much like any health issue, the sooner IBD is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat. That’s why Winter suggests talking with your doctor if you’ve gone longer than a couple weeks with symptoms and find that both your sleep and your digestive symptoms are worsening.
Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, fitness, and food.
