Co-Relation between Sleep and Digestive Health - Assignment Example

?Co-relation between sleep and digestive health Sleep and its impact on public health are gaining rapid significance as a critical health issue, whereby sleep deprivation is linked with various negative and serious health consequences by researchers. Sleep deprivation has been recently recognized and acknowledged as a serious public health 'epidemic' by CDC. Approximately 50-70 million Adult Americans are estimated to be sleep deprived (CDC, 2011). This paper aims to assess and analyze the impact of sleep deprivation on digestive health of individuals and probe the co-relation between the two. Meaning and definition: The term Sleep deprivation has been defined differently by different researchers. However, in the most basic sense it refers to a condition or state in which an individual suffers from lack of adequate sleep (Mednick, 2006). Juall (2008) define the term as "a state in which a person experiences a change in the quantity or quality of his rest pattern that causes discomfort or interferes with desired lifestyle" (pp. 387). While, according to Barry and Farmer (2002), sleep deprivation is "a state in which an individual experiences prolonged periods of time without sustained natural periodic states of relative unconsciousness" (pp. 308). Impact of sleep deprivation on digestive health: The fact that sleep deprivation leads to various negative health consequences have been documented by way of research by several researchers over the years. According to Caldwell (1997) an average adult needs approximately 7-8 hours of sleep at night. It is because of this reason that the American National Center of Health Science Research has rated sleep among the top 10 factors affecting public health. Caldwell (1997) further stated that humans in general are guided by a 24 hour sleep-wake up cycle which is alternatively also referred to as the 'biological clock'; which determines the sleep patterns of an adult. Any disturbance in this cycle leads to mental fatigue which in turn leads to negative physical ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders along with other health hazards such as ulcers, or constipation (Caldwell, 1997). Lorber (2010) states that the human digestive system is primarily designed in such a way that it processes food consumed during the day at night when humans are fast asleep; meaning thereby the digestive system is designed to operate during sleep. Any disruption in the human sleep pattern, hence directly impacts the digestive health of humans leading to various problems ranging from constipation to stomach ulcers. According to Mednick (2006) sleep deprivation adversely affects the mental health of humans leading to fatigue. Furthermore, sleep deprivation poses a high risk of obesity; since the digestive system which functions at night is delayed, causing a change in the pattern in which food is commonly digested. A sleep deprived body starts craving for sugar rich and high-in-fat foods as compared to the one which is properly and adequately rested. According to Moritz (2007) there is a strong relationship between sleep deprivation and digestive health problems. Lack of sleep causes tiredness and fatigue and disrupts the body's natural healing system as well as affects the immune system, ultimately leading to serious negative health consequences. The irregular sleep patterns also disrupt the activities generally carried out during the day, i.e. eating patterns, which affects the digestive 'fire' or Pitta. Moritz (2007) further states that late consumption of evening meals or consumption of snacks late at night, aggravates the digestive system, leading to digestive problems, disturbances in the liver, spleen, gallbladder, stomach as well as pancreas. Also, the disturbance in the body's 'biological clock' causes hormonal imbalance, and disrupts blood circulation. This further leads to release of harmful toxins in the body, which in turn is a result of undigested food, or consumption of food late at night. The body clock is designed to function in a way whereby the digestive system comes into action at night, where the food consumed during the day is digested and processed by the body while the individual is fast asleep. The rectum is responsible for solidifying the fecal matter, and prompting the bowel to empty the contents. The kidneys are responsible for passing on the urine to the bladder, while the skin too receives the waste products which are excreted through the pores. Hence, any long term congestion or disturbance in the sleep patterns is bound to disrupt the functioning of all these organs, leading to a serious impact on the colon, liver, kidneys as well as stomach, forcing the body to turn into a sever reservoir (Moritz, 2007). Various studies have confirmed that there is a positive and strong relationship between sleep deprivation and gastrointestinal disorders. Studies concerning night-shift workers have revealed that those who work late at night or in shifts, are more prone to disturbances in their abdominal motility and are at an increased risk of stomach and digestion related problems. The lack of sleep leads to a rise in gastric secretion during night thus further leading to gastrointestinal disturbances. It also leads to prevalence of stomach or gastric ulcers, loss of appetite, poor eating habits, dyspepsia, epigastric pain as well as gastroduodenitis (Pandi-Perumal, Cardinali, 2007). The Gut-Brain connection and its impact on digestive health: The enteric nervous system (ENS) alternatively known as "the brain of the gut" is located in sheaths of tissues surrounded by the stomach, the small intestine, the colon and the esophagus. There is substantial amount of research which has successfully established the connection gut and the brain. According to studies, the human gut comprises of a complex and sophisticated network formed of various nerve cells, which is known as the enteric nervous system. A nerve known as the vagus nerve connects the gut-brain and the cerebral brain thus enabling them to pass signals and stimulate reactions. The gut brain is responsible for directing and co-coordinating the digestive system in human bodies (Sorokie, 2004). Furthermore research suggests that there is a strong and definite connection between the gut-brain and digestive health. Various researchers have studied and pointed out the relationship between gut-brain and sleep deprivation which ultimately culminates into a range of digestive health problems such as the irritable bowel syndrome. According to a study conducted by Dr. David Wingate - a professor of gastrointestinal science at the Unviersity of London, there is a strong correspondence between the gut brain and the cerebral brain, whereby the gut's brain acts and functions in exactly the same manner as the cerebral brain in the absence of inputs. Thus as the cerebral brain generates cycles/ phases of sleep and the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the gut brain too, in the absence of food, produces cycles / phases of sleep whereby the functioning in the gut leads to muscle contractions followed by rapid muscle movements. It is because of this reason that people who are sleep deprived or suffer from abnormal REM sleep experience problems associated with bowel movements (Roy, 2007). Various studies conducted over the years have shown a strong and positive relationship between sleep deprivation, the brain-gut connection and irritable bowel syndrome. According to researchers, loss of sleep leads to rise in IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) since the brain controls sleep-wake patterns, thus further implying a connection between brain and the gut. Furthermore, studies have revealed that an increased sensitivity in the gut is a direct consequence of a disturbance in the gut's nervous system which in turn occurs due to an alteration of one or more nerve connections between the brain and the gut (Burnstall et al., 2006). Thus, loss of sleep or lack of adequate sleep does have a critical impact on the digestive health of humans. Conclusion: The discussions stated above clearly indicate a strong connection between lack of sleep and digestive disorders. It also establishes the fact that there is a strong and direct relationship between the gut-brain connection, sleep deprivation and digestive health of individuals. The strong and mounting evidence of lack of sleep also points to abnormal weight gain, leading to obesity and hormonal imbalance along with other mental and psychological issues. Lack of sleep is also known to disrupt the body's immune system thus increasing the odds of its vulnerability to infections and other deadly diseases. Sleep deprivation is clearly a serious issue which not only disrupts the mental but physical processes of individuals causing a range of health issues ranging from constipation to stomach ulcers to a more serious digestive disorder - i.e. the IBS. Apart from the range of digestive disorders, sleep deprivation also causes irritability, headaches, reduced alertness and stress thus significantly affecting performance levels of individuals, and making them prone to a range of health hazards. Thus, restorative sleep is needed to help individuals sustain a healthy and balanced lifestyle and maintain and enhance their functional abilities. Digestive disorder is a serious health concern which affects the entire human body, in the long run. In the absence of timely intervention, it may lead to chronic cardiovascular illnesses leading to death. Adequate sleep and rest is hence a primary health concern which needs to be addressed to ensure sound health. References: Barry, P. D., Farmer, S., (2002). Mental health & mental illness, Lippincott Williams & Williams Publication, Pp. 308 Caldwell, J. P., (1997). Sleep the complete guide to sleep disorders and a better night's sleep (Rev. ed. 2003). Buffalo, New York" Firefly CDC (2011). Insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic [Online] Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsSleep/ [Accessed: October 20, 2011] Juall, L. C., (2008). Nursing diagnosis: application to clinical practice, Lippincott Williams & Williams Publication, Pp. 387 Lorber. J., (2010). Sleep Talking: There is no debating that fatigue negatively impacts emergency responder. Here's what to do about it. Fire Chief, 54(2), Pp. 38-42 Mednick, S. C., Ehrman, M., (2006). Take a nap! Change your life. New York, New York: Workman Moritz, A., (2007). Timeless secrets of health and rejuvenation, Ener-Chi Wellness Center, Pp. 106-108 Pandi-Perumal, S. R., Cardinali, D. P., (2007). Melatonin: from molecules to therapy, Nova Publishers, Pp. 621-622 Roy, R., (2007). Rewiring the brain: living without stress and anxiety through the power of consciousness, Xilbris Corporation Publication, Pp. 209-211 Sorokie, A. M., (2004). Gut wisdom: understanding and improving your digestive health, Career Press, Pp. 17-19 Read More