Too Much Or Too Little Sleep Spikes Constipation
Heidi Splete
May 22, 2020
Individuals who sleep more or less than average report significantly more constipation, compared with normal sleepers, based on data from 14,590 adults.
“Normal sleep duration is thought to be essential for healthy bowel function however, the effect of either limited or excessive sleep duration on bowel patterns is poorly understood,” Adeyinka Adejumo, MD, of North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Mass., and colleagues wrote in an abstract released as part of the annual Digestive Disease Week®, which was canceled because of COVID-19.
To examine the association between sleep duration and bowel function, the researchers identified 14,590 adults aged 20 years and older who completed questionnaires on sleep and bowel health as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 20052010.
Sleep was divided into three categories based on standards from the National Sleep Foundation: short , normal and long .
Overall, constipation rates were significantly lower among normal sleepers compared with both short and long sleepers .
Bowel function was defined as normal, constipation, or diarrhea based on stool form and bowel movements per week. After controlling for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors, long sleepers and short sleepers were 61% and 38% more likely, respectively, to report constipation, compared with normal sleepers.
The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Digestive Disease Week 2020: Abstract Sa1711.
Is It Ibs Or Constipation
An unclear understanding often leads to a diagnosis based on exclusion. Instead of basing the diagnosis on the facts. In this article, well explore the difference between chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
If you suffer from constipation, it does not mean that you have irritable bowel syndrome. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, it does not guarantee that youll have constipation.
For most of its life, irritable bowel syndrome was a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that if your symptoms didnt fit with any other disease and laboratory tests revealed no positive findings, the doctor would label your condition as IBS.
Fortunately, in 2016 the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome changed. Doctors now use what is called the Rome Foundation for diagnosis. The Rome criteria are based primarily on symptoms which mean the diagnosis is still quite subjective. However, the Rome criteria are a step in the right direction for helping those with IBS get properly diagnosed.
The Rome criteria are as follows:
Rome IV
- Recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least one day per week in the last three months, associated with two or more of the following criteria:
- Related to defecation
- Associated with a change in frequency of stool
- Associated with a change in form of stool
- * the above must occur for the last three months with symptom onset at least six months before diagnosis
See how subjective the diagnostic criteria is?
How Much Weight Do You Gain When Constipated
Constipation and weight gain can actually go hand-in-hand in some cases. In the short-term, you will probably weigh a few hundred grams more if you are constipated because your bowel is full of digested food. Just remember that this is rather insignificant because it hardly impacts your overall body weight.
Also Check: Can Leaky Gut Make You Smell
The Link Between Ibs And Chronic Fatigue
Only IBS-D doesnt involve constipation.
Research suggests that about 55% of people with IBS have fatigue. The link isnt fully understood. It may be due to genetic abnormalities that affect serotonin, a neurotransmitter and hormone that deals with digestion and sleep.
Serotonin dysregulation is also linked to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and other central sensitivity syndromes. Those conditions frequently overlap with IBS.
Constipation: Fatigue Nausea And Other Side Effects
Constipation is a very common malady that happens to all of us. According to the National Institutes of Health , somewhere between 16%-33% of adults have constipation at some point. Even though for most people it remains a minor annoyance, constipation can be fairly disruptive to daily life. In addition to uncomfortable changes to bowel habits, constipation can lead to a variety of other side effects.
Don’t Miss: Can Probiotics Heal Leaky Gut
Effects Of Constipation On Estrogen Dominance
Constipation can inhibit the excretion of unwanted estrogen from the body and promote its reabsorption . We are exposed to a lot of environmental sources of estrogens through toxins such as plastics, medications and hormones in the animal proteins we consume. This means that most people have excess oestrogen coming into the body that needs to be excreted each day. If we are constipated, these excess estrogens can be re-absorbed in the colon and cause elevated estrogen levels, a condition also associated with allergies , weight gain and fatigue .
Poor Diet In Ibs Can Cause Fatigue
Maybe youre eating enough food, but its not the sort of food that is really giving your body the nutrients that it needs.
You could be low in iron, protein, or carbohydrates which all help to give us energy. Surviving on processed foods low in essential vitamins and minerals can lead to fatigue.
Working with a qualified nutritionist can help to identify how to broaden your diet variety in a way that doesnt trigger symptoms. If youre stuck between not knowing which dietary changes to make to make for the best it can feel very confusing read my article about how to make dietary compromises for IBS
Recommended Reading: Does Gum Make You Bloated
What Does Constipation Feel Like
Constipation can happen due to one or more breakdowns of the expected pathway where stool is excreted.
These can include slow-moving stool, hard stools, or experiencing a problem with the muscles and nerves needed to pass a bowel movement.
As a result, constipation can feel like many symptoms. Examples include:
- fullness in the stomach or pelvic region
- cramping of the bowels
- aching feeling in the back
Sometimes its difficult to distinguish between discomfort in your stomach and intestines. You might feel cramping or bloating in your intestines that pushes upward on your stomach.
As a result, you could feel stomach discomfort while the area of constipation is really in your intestines.
Sometimes constipation can be a medical emergency.
What Are Some Causes Of Constipation And Fatigue
Dehydration and nutritional issues may cause constipation and fatigue.
Medications are also a factor. Constipation is a common side effect of opioid pain medications and certain treatments for cancer. These treatments can also make you feel fatigued.
A number of medical conditions can cause both of these symptoms, such as:
Don’t Miss: Can Teething Cause Diarrhea In Babies
Treatment For Constipation And Nausea
If you have constipation and nausea, identifying the underlying problem can help you determine the right treatment.
If you have irritable bowel syndrome, recognizing foods that trigger your symptoms may improve both constipation and nausea.
IBS triggers differ from person to person. Too much fiber may trigger symptoms in some people, whereas other people may develop symptoms after consuming chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, fried food, or after eating large meals.
If youre lactose intolerant, removing dairy from your diet may stop nausea and constipation. Use dairy substitutes instead. These include almond or cashew milk, cashew ice cream, or dairy-free cheeses, yogurt, and sour cream.
If youre pregnant, keep a food diary to determine which foods trigger nausea, and then avoid these foods.
You can also ask your doctor about over-the-counter and prescription medications to improve morning sickness. These can include vitamin B-6, doxylamine, antiemetic drugs that prevent vomiting.
more tips to help relieve constipation and nausea
Simple adjustments dont only treat constipation and nausea, but they also prevent it from occurring again.
Effects Of Constipation On Anxiety And Depression
Mood and anxiety disorders have long been scientific bedfellows with constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders . And while constipation is often thought to be the symptom, recent neuroscientific research has begun to show the importance of intestinal flora in the development of brain symptoms . So, theres even more reason you might be feeling low if you cant go to the loo. And it’s these kinds of side effects of constipation that people aren’t often aware of that make a huge difference to our everyday lives.
Recommended Reading: Can You Take Probiotics On Your Period
How Can I Clean Out My Colon Overnight
Saltwater Nightcap
The saltwater flush is pretty simple. The recipe: add two tablespoons of non-iodized salt to a quart of warm water. You sip the salt water on an empty stomach, with the goal to drink the whole thing in less than 5 minutes. You can expect to feel an urgent need to do #2 within 30 minutes to an hour.
Low Functioning Thyroid Can Cause Fatigue In Ibs
Our thyroid releases hormones which controls our cell metabolism, so affects how quickly each cell does its work. Its common that IBS and hypothyroidism go hand in hand, and some reports even suggest SIBO may be present in more than half of patients with hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can slow your digestive motility causing constipation, nausea or reflux. A low functioning thyroid may also give you severe fatigue, both of which can be confused with IBS.
Ask your doctor for a full thyroid panel blood test or find a thyroid specialist Nutritional Therapist to support you.
You May Like: How To Ease Ibs Symptoms
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Ibs
Persistent fatigue that lasts for over six months and isnt better when you rest could be CFS. If youre also experiencing migraines, sore lymph nodes, flu-like aching or muscle pains, palpitations or sleep problems the fatigue could be related to CFS.
One of the most common causes of IBS is post-infectious inflammation which leads to ongoing digestive issues. One study found people infected with Giardia lamblia in Norway had increased risk of both IBS and CFS 10 years after the infection.
How Should You Sleep When Constipated
Place a firm pillow between your knees and hug one to support your spine. While you sleep on your left side at night, gravity can help take waste on a trip through the ascending colon, then into the transverse colon, and finally dump it into the descending colon encouraging a trip to the bathroom in the morning.
Don’t Miss: Why Does My Stomach Hurt And Feel Bloated
Feeling Of Unwell Malaise Or Fatigue
One of the main functions of bowel movements is to eliminate waste material from the body. When we dont go to the bathroom as often as we should, our body retains toxins and we start experiencing the alternative side effects of constipation.
If I didnt have bowel movements for more than 2 days, I would start feeling unwell, somewhat tired and simply lacked energy.
Somehow, the closer I got to having a bowel movement, the worse I felt, as if toxins were accumulating and my body was struggling to eliminate them. The moment I had a bowel movement, my malaise would just disappear and I would feel normal again.
Go For Medical Treatment Right Away If You Experience Any Of The Following:
- blood in the stool that is more than a small amount
- dark or tar-colored stools
- severe abdominal pain
Seek immediate medical advice and treatment if you experience the following:
- symptoms dont get better or they become worse even after trying self-care measures at home, including laxatives
- continued pain after trying to have bowel movements or pain that gets worse
- constipation that alternates with diarrhea
These symptoms can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract or that you are experiencing an intestinal blockage. These can be life-threatening emergencies.
Constipation treatments can range from lifestyle to medication treatments. If you have an obstruction or scarring that is blocking the movement of your stool, you may require surgery.
Some at-home, self-care measures you can use to reduce the incidence of constipation include:
- Drinking plenty of water to where your urine should be pale yellow in color.
- Eating at least 25 grams of fiber a day through sources such as vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
- Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, riding a bicycle, or dancing. These physical activity elements can mimic the natural movement of the stool and help stool move more quickly.
- Talking to your doctor about medications you may be taking that affect constipation. However, you shouldnt stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor first.
of pregnant women have problems with constipation.
Don’t Miss: How To Remedy Leaky Gut
Check If It’s Constipation
It’s likely to be constipation if:
- you have not had a poo at least 3 times during the last week
- the poo is often large and dry, hard or lumpy
- you are straining or in pain when you have a poo
You may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, constipation may be easily missed. Look out for any behaviour changes, as it might mean they are in pain or discomfort.
When Youre Constipated And Have Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that occur inside or outside the rectum. They can bleed and make bowel movements painful to pass.
This can be especially difficult if you have hemorrhoids with constipation because your bowel movements already may pass more slowly or be hard to pass. The combination of the two conditions can make going to the bathroom an extremely unpleasant experience.
However, if youre constipated and have hemorrhoids, you shouldnt try to put off going to the bathroom when the urge hits. Doing so can put further strain on the bowels and worsen hemorrhoids when you ultimately do pass the stool.
When you have hemorrhoids, changing the position of your body when you use the bathroom may help reduce pressure on the rectum. An example could be planting your feet on a small step stool as you go to the bathroom. This may make stool easier to pass.
Don’t Miss: What Should You Eat After Diarrhea
How Constipation Wrecks Your Health
Most people think of constipation as a symptom rather than the cause of their health problems. And for many functional gastrointestinal conditions like gut pathogens, leaky gut and food sensitivities, this is definitely the case – which is why you might want to get tested and uncover the root cause of your constipation – learn more about those HERE.
But, constipation itself can also be the root cause of other symptoms and conditions. Constipation can wreak havoc with your insides, stemming from one of three main issues 1. Toxin reabsorption in the colon, including excess hormones, that would normally be excreted in the stool . 2. Imbalance of intestinal flora, including a reduction in healthy species and overgrowths of unwanted bacteria or pathogens . 3. Structural and physical effects of large hard stools and the straining that commonly accompanies them .
It is these mechanisms that can cause a whole range of unwanted symptoms and are the side effects of constipation on the body that you may be struggling with right now…
The Final Word On Persistent Constipation
Doctors know how to cure chronic constipation permanently when its related to your lifestyle, and it starts with drinking enough water and eating a fiber-rich diet. Heres exactly what you need to remember about long-term constipation so you can manage it effectively:
- Straining and long periods between bowel movements are signs of constipation
- Long-term chronic constipation may increase the risk of colon cancer
- Your thyroid produces hormones that support healthy digestion and defecation
- Anxiety triggers the stress response that can make people constipated
- Diet, hydration, and exercise can help relieve constipation
- Your gut bacteria influence constipation and digestive health
You May Like: Can Probiotics Upset Your Stomach
Effects Of Constipation On Weight Gain
Yes, a buildup of poop can add a few extra kilos – anyone who has done colonic irrigation or an enema can attest to that… But what about real weight, the fat storage kind? Yes, that too. Science is just starting to understand how a dysbiosis of intestinal flora can cause weight gain and obesity – but the link is definitely there . Hormone imbalances, particularly those relating to oestrogen have also been linked with obesity . So, not clearing those excess estrogens and having them reabsorbed back into your system might not be so good for your waistline.
Can Constipation Cause Extreme Fatigue And Nausea
Question posted by gevraiff on 18 May 2012
Last updated on 1 January 2020 by Kkw0129
MY 17 year old nephew has been very sick with extreme fatigue and nausea for about 3 weeks. He just saw gi, who told him it’s constipation. His mom is furious-but I think it’s possible, and she should at least try treating it. My sister is concerned something more serious is beomg overlooked, even though blood counts, ultrasound, stool sample all clear. Any thoughts?Anyone ele had these symptoms? oh yes, he is also about 6 weeks post op from having his appendix out. He is an honor student who loves volleyball, missing way too much school! Help!
Kkw0129
I dont have any experience with losing my appendix but setting that aside I absolutely believe that the fatigue and nausea can be caused by constipation. I have chronic constipation because of the number of drugs that I take. I can tell you that almost every single time I have a bowel movement my chronic nausea subsides at a large degree. The exhaustion for me does improve at the same time but to be fair I will say I have other health concerns that can affect my energy level as well. Please feel free to ask me questions. I hope your nephew finds relief for his symptoms.
+0kirk1367+0Rob813+0JiggyJake98+0Jchampagne80+0buddzoo
I know this is many years later but I am adding a response for others that may still come across this thread.
+0isaacs+0Rabeya+0tmrwhalens+0Teelinaroger8893+0unique222+0
Don’t Miss: How Do Doctors Test For Ibs