Sleep and IBS. Does losing sleep make Irritable Bowel Syndrome worse?

• Sleep - more precisely, not enough of it - is a physical body stressor.
  
  
• Stress of any kind inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system, and stimulates excessive adrenaline production, which upsets the rhythmic muscle contractions of the gut. This triggers IBS symptoms.
  
  
• Double whammy. Lack of sleep causes not just fatigue but a lower stress-tolerance level on top of that.
  
  
• Upshot? When you're tired, IBS is much more likely to flare.
  
  
• There's a direct link between morning IBS symptoms and quality of the previous night's sleep.
  
  
• What helps? Keep a consistent bedtime and morning alarm time. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
  
  
• If you can get 9 or 10 (I know, impossible for many people), your body might really thank you.
  
  
• If you're tired, go to bed earlier than usual. Sleep in on weekends if you need to catch up.
  
  
• Take cat naps (or dog naps!) whenever possible.
  
  
• Keep your bedroom as cool, dark, and quiet as possible. All three factors make a big difference in how deeply and how long you sleep.
  
  
• Adapt your work or school schedule to accommodate your sleep needs as much as possible and practical.
  
  
• If you consistently have trouble falling asleep, or awaken at night with IBS symptoms, check the First Year IBS for comprehensive information and help.
  
  

Tip Takeaway: Getting deep sleep - and enough of it - is a key factor to keeping IBS under control. Do everything you can to get the quantity and quality of sleep you need for your health and life.

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