Did you know that there exists a syndrome which agonizes the physical and mental pain of the body by letting them consume food mostly at night and deprive themselves of sleep at the same time? This condition is known as the Night eating syndrome abbreviated as NES.
A decreased appetite in the morning hours and an increased appetite by the night, coupled with insomnia are the characteristics of NES. It is categorized by a deferred circadian pattern of intake of food. Night eating syndrome effects are debilitating and depressing.
Most people tend to confuse night eating syndrome with emotional eating or binge eating. But this is not the case. A person suffering from night eating syndrome would eat consciously and would graze on high-calorie food items to suffice their sudden craving for food.
With sleeping disorders at the same time, they even wake up in the middle of the night several times to grab something heavy to eat and then again go to sleep.
Research on NES (Night eating syndrome)
A psychiatrist, Albert Stunkard from the University of Pennsylvania helped humans discover this syndrome in 1950. This syndrome has been listed in the category of 'Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder' (OSFED) of DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder). Further surveys and researchers have concluded that the night eating syndrome effects have been affecting around 1.5% of the population and 25% of the obese people being affected by this syndrome.
Night Eating Syndrome Effects
One of the most common night eating syndrome effects is people becoming become overweight. This happens due to the reason that a person having a poor sleep develops more tendency of being overweight due to improper body functioning. They get obesity as one of the night eating syndrome effects.
This further makes them sensitive towards the ailments caused due to obesity, which may include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. Being obese also increases the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, and several heart or gallbladder diseases.
The patients of the night eating syndrome have reported that they feel a high feeling of depression especially at night and therefore they cannot sleep which further results in them having a swift uncontrollable urge of eating something high in starch, carbohydrates or fats.
A lot many studies have concluded that a person having a history of substance abuse, depression or distress is more prone to this syndrome.
Causes of Night Eating Syndrome
An exact list of reasons cannot be prepared for inducing night eating syndrome. In fact, the causes for the night eating syndrome vary as explained by various researchers. Like, one research explains a cause NES as several college students develop a habit of having late night dinners and snacks but then are unable to break this habit in their work life.
Whereas, some doctors feel that it could be related to the cycles of sleep, waking schedule and sometimes hormones.
Moreover, Night eating disorder effects can also be a response to dieting. Since people restrict and force themselves for dieting all day long, most of the time the body may send signals to the brain of consuming food and hence the resistance power of brain drains at night and results in consuming excess food at night. Another theory explains night eating syndrome as a response to stress.
Symptoms of the Night Eating Syndrome
If a person is suffering in sleeping at night and at the same time is eating a lot at late nights, then they must consider the below-mentioned symptoms at first to figure out the problem. Afterall, Night Eating Syndrome effects can be bothersome and cause the individual discomfort and uneasiness. If you are experiencing any three or more of the following symptoms, it would be wise to consult a doctor.
- Tend to wake up at night to eat for more than two times a week.
- Eating more of sweets, carbohydrates and starch.
- If you are obese or on a diet or overweight.
- Loss of appetite once you get up.
- Lack of sleep or insomnia for four nights a week.
- An urge to eat after dinner and before hitting the bed.
- Feel that eating is essential to be able to sleep.
- A sour mood or a feeling of depression, especially during the evenings.
- Highly concerned about one's body shape and size but unable to sustain any kind of dieting process.
Diagnosis & Treatments for Night Eating Syndrome
Night eating syndrome effects can be wearisome, as the person feels guilty while eating and does not really enjoy it.
- A detailed conversation with the doctor will help in the correct diagnosis of this problem. Usually, a detailed questionnaire helps understand the problem.
- The doctor would also recommend some sleep tests called polysomnography, which tests your brain waves, heart rate, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels.
Most the eating disorders include a blend of therapies as a part of its treatment. The treatment usually begins with educating and informing the patients about their issue and addressing them to understand that it's not their mistake that they suffer from a night eating syndrome.
- Furthermore, therapies such as:
- Interpersonal Therapy (IT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Nutrition Assessment
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Exercise Physiology are included to let the person with night eating syndrome gain control over their disorders.
- Though, most of the time, cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants are quite helpful in aiding NES.
- Intake of antidepressants helps in improving the quality of life, mood and eating habits.
- Moreover, the relaxation training may also help in changing craving of the night to morning.
- Intake of Melatonin tablets or supplements can also be considered as one more treatment for NES patients, which can help them increase the level of the melatonin hormone in their pineal gland of the brain. This may further help in controlling their sleep and wake cycles.
Anybody suffering from night eating syndrome must visit their physicians or a doctor for proper consultation on reducing the night eating syndrome effects on their body and psyche.
Night eating syndrome supplements
There are many supplements which you can include in your daily life to avoid night eating syndrome. These supplements will provide you high boost of energy. You will not feel lethargic and can go to bed easily.- Immunity booster supplements
- Vitamin and minerals supplements
- Sleeping pills
How to stop night eating syndrome?
There are many ways that you can stop night eating syndrome. I have listed some points that might help you to prevent from night eating syndrome. Night time can cause you to gain more calories. So, be aware of that.- Identify the cause of midnight cravings. It could be due to late night working, binge eating and watching movies. Identify the cause you prevent yourself from midnight cravings.
- Identify the triggering factor. It is may be because of watching a lot of reels on social media of food.
- Follow routine
- Plan your meals
- Eat dinner properly
- Seek emotional support
- Stress could be cause of night eating syndrome
- Eat regularly in the day
- Include protein in your every diet
- Distract yourself
- Sleep early
Takeaway
Night eating disorder is not widely recognized but does require medical attention. Even though the research is limited, there are several options of treatment for the patients. The first step to tackle this problem is to understand it and seek medical attention. Pharmacotherapy coupled with relaxation techniques have been of immense help to the patients. Other behavioral therapies have also proved to be beneficial. If left untreated, it may lead to numerous physical complications. Remember do not struggle, talking about the problem helps and proves to be the start of the healing process!
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