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Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Nausea?

sleep deprivation nausea

Yes, sleep deprivation can cause nausea. Lack of sleep disrupts the body’s normal functioning and can lead to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and digestive issues. Sleep is frequently neglected in the fast-paced modern lifestyle. Many of us aren’t receiving the suggested quantity of sleep, whether it’s because of social obligations, jobs, or just staring at our phones late at night. You might be able to get through the day on less sleep, but there are serious implications to not getting enough sleep. That’s why restless legs and a lack of concentration aren’t the only symptoms of sleep deprivation. Plus, you could be experiencing nausea as a side effect.

When you’re sick all day, even the most mundane activities might seem overwhelming. Sleep deprivation nausea, gas, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea are some of the unpleasant symptoms that people may have if they do not get enough sleep. The more pressing question, “Can sleep deprivation cause nausea?” needs further clarification, so let’s do that.

What Is Sleep Deprivation?

Yes, you’re yawning as you sit here and type. Why? For the simple reason that you are aware that last night you slept too little. A lack of sleep can be an unexpected and debilitating experience, or it can be a persistent problem that you deal with for weeks at a time.

Perhaps you’ve just become a parent, worked shifts, or suffered from anxiety. Maybe you’re a student preparing for finals or a worker whose job requires you to put in long hours under intense pressure. For whatever reason, the effects of insufficient sleep on both the body and mind can be devastating.

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining energy and productivity at any age. Although it may be challenging at times, it is crucial for success. Adults require at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and ideally more than that. Otherwise, you may feel weakness, behavioral problems, and gut problems such as sleep deprivation nausea.

Does sleep deprivation cause nausea?

Yes! Nausea is a common side effect of not getting enough sleep. Some statistics demonstrate how widespread sleep deprivation is and how detrimental it is to people’s health. According to statistics:

  • 13% of respondents over the age of 18 said they were exhausted most days.
    A little over one-third of American adults say they get fewer than seven hours of sleep per day.
  • 10% of adults experience severe insomnia that interferes with their everyday lives, while 30% of adults experience insomnia symptoms including sleep deprivation nausea.
  • Between 9 and 38% of the population suffers from sleep apnea.

The Relationship Between Nausea And Sleep Deprivation

Nausea from sleep deprivation is very common. Nausea and sleep deprivation are more like long-lost relatives than close siblings; they aren’t directly related, but they are close. Let me explain:

1. Stress Hormones

Lack of sleep causes the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol and other stress chemicals. These hormones have the ability to disrupt your digestive system, which may result in symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Your body is basically trying to tell you, “Hey, I’m not happy about this whole sleep situation!”

2. Disturbed Sleep Cycle

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is very beneficial to your health. However, your circadian rhythm, an internal clock that controls many biological processes, including digestion, becomes disrupted when you disrupt your sleep routine. One of the possible adverse effects of this disruption is nausea, which can leave you feeling out of sorts.

3. Food Options

Healthy eating isn’t exactly at the forefront of your mind when you’re sleep-deprived. To sustain yourself, you’re more likely to grab that fatty burger or sweet snack. And you know what? If you’re already feeling nauseated from not getting enough sleep, making poor food choices can make it worse.

4. Medical Issues at the Basis

Lack of sleep isn’t always the only culprit. Nausea might have underlying medical causes, such as anxiety, depression, or gastrointestinal problems. You guessed it: not getting enough sleep can make all of these problems worse.

Sleep deprivation doesn’t actually cause nausea, but it does affect your sleep cycle, behavior, eating habits, and food choices, all of which influence your body’s hormonal regulation and lead to nausea in the following ways:

  • Loss of sleep might alter your eating habits.
  • You feel an overwhelming desire for fatty and unhealthy food.
  • To help you get through the day when you don’t get enough sleep, you might try drinking extra coffee.
  • When you eat a lot of sugary and salty meals, it might upset your stomach and make you sick to your stomach.
  • Your immune system goes into overdrive and releases a protein called a cytokine when you don’t get enough sleep.
  • The digestive organs are not immune to the systemic inflammation caused by cytokines.
  • It has the potential to induce nausea as well.

Lack Of Sleep-Induced Nausea: Natural Remedies?

When you can’t sleep, feel sick to your stomach, and get nausea from sleep deprivation, try these easy solutions:

  1. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  2. If you’re feeling nauseated, it’s best to stay away from strong or offensive aromas.
  3. Take a deep breath of fresh air by going outside or to a light-filled environment.
  4. Eat less salty, fatty, and spicy foods. When you’re sick to your stomach, eat something bland like plain rice, potatoes, or noodles.
  5. Sit quietly for a while; getting up and moving about could amplify your nausea

Steps To Recover From Sleep Deprivation

If you want to find relief and get rid of nausea from sleep deprivation, you can lessen the impact of sleep deprivation by doing the following:

1. Make Sleep a Priority

Incorporate sleep into your daily schedule without fail. To maintain optimal mental and physical health, strive for seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep a night.

2. Deal with Stress

Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing techniques are great stress-reduction practices to incorporate into your regular routine.

3. Restrict What You Eat

Choose complete, healthy foods that will fuel your body and aid with digestion. Oh, and a little treat now and then is fine, too, provided it’s not too excessive.

Prescription Sleep Medication Online: Exercise Extreme Caution

If your sleep deprivation is at its peak and adjusting your sleep cycle still causes you to stay awake at night, you need to seek professional health care. Prescription sleep medication online may appear like a magic bullet for sleep deprivation, but you must proceed with caution when using it. Nausea, vertigo, and other side effects are possible with these drugs, and they can also become habit-forming.

It is essential to talk to a doctor about your specific needs if you are thinking about getting a prescription for sleep medicine. You can get their assistance in assessing the pros and cons of the therapy options and in finding one that works best for you.

 

Also Read: Are Sleeping Disorders Genetic?

Bottom Line

So, does lack of sleep can cause nausea? Yes, it does.

A good night’s sleep is critical to the well-being of your body.

Sleep deprivation lowers immunity and messes with your digestive system.

You start to feel drained, which causes you to become anxious.

The combination of these things makes you feel nauseous after a bad night’s sleep.

Avoiding junk food, drinking aromatic tea, or moving to a place with plenty of natural light can help alleviate sleep-induced nausea.

Some other things you can do to improve your nighttime sleep quality include limiting your intake of coffee and alcohol, eating smaller meals closer to bedtime, and avoiding screens in the hours leading up to bedtime.

References

  1. Tennant F (2015). Status Report on the Role of Stimulants in Chronic Pain Management. Pract Pain Manag. MedCentral ;15(6). https://www.medcentral.com/pain/chronic/status-report-role-stimulants-chronic-pain-management
  2. Beliveau, C. M., McMahan, V. M., Arenander, J., Angst, M. S., Kushel, M., Torres, A., Santos, G. M., & Coffin, P. O. (2022). Stimulant use for self-management of pain among safety-net patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Substance abuse, 43(1), 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2021.1903654 
  3. LaBossier, N. J., & Hadland, S. E. (2022). Stimulant misuse among youth. Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care, 52(9), 101265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2022.101265 
  4. Shearer, R. D., Jones, A., Howell, B. A., Segel, J. E., & Winkelman, T. N. A. (2022). Associations between prescription and illicit stimulant and opioid use in the United States, 2015-2020. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 143, 108894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108894 
  5. Ba, S. J. M. (2022, August 25). Adderall Abuse and Addiction. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/adderall-abuse-addiction-signs 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ADHD a form of autism?

Actually, the symptoms and diagnostic criteria for autism and ADHD are very different. They are distinct disorders with their own set of symptoms and treatment approaches, while they may share certain similarities, like behavioral and attention issues. ADHD is characterized by difficulties paying attention, being overly active, and acting without thinking. On the other hand, autism spectrum disorder includes issues with communicating and interacting with others, as well as limited and repetitive behaviors.

Is ADHD a disability?

If ADHD substantially limits a person’s capacity to carry out everyday duties or complete assignments for school, work, or other activities, then it might be deemed a disability. The degree and impact of symptoms can vary greatly among individuals with ADHD; thus, not everyone will develop a disability.

Can people with ADHD live a normal life?

Even though certain symptoms of ADHD may go away as you get older, the disorder itself might be permanent. Some people don’t find out they have ADHD until they are adults. Getting therapy or medication for ADHD is crucial for all adults. If they don’t, they can face difficulties in finding work.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Melissa J. Roybal
Dr. Melissa J. Roybal

Melissa has over 15 years of experience since graduating from Georgetown University, specializing in pediatrics, adult, and geriatric care. She is passionate about helping patients via telemedicine for various conditions.

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