Sleep-related eating disorder

Do you eat while you are asleep? I don’t but it appears that some folks do. Sleep eating is apparently just another sleep disorder that affects people.

According to about.com, “Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is characterized by repeated involuntary episodic eating that occurs during nighttime sleep. It is more than a midnight snack, and individuals with this disorder remain largely asleep while eating.”

And if eating while you are asleep is strange, it seems that what some folks are eating at night is even weirder. They eat odd combinations of foods such as salt, sugar, flour, and even—this is disgusting—cat litter. Foods that are high in calories (I don’t know what the calorie content is for cat litter) are also prevalent.

What makes this happen?

This usually occurs in people who have other sleep disorders like restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and periodic limb movements. There also seems to be a link between Confusional arousal and SRED. The demographic for this is women in their 20’s.

I have also read that there can be a link between sleep medication, like Ambien and Trizolam, and this sleep disorder

The first step, of course, is to go to your doctor and schedule a sleep study. This will determine which sleep disorders you have or don’t have. Treatment can include sleep hygiene and possibly medication.

Why would sleep apnea lead to carbohydrate cravings?

There are being numerous studies that show the connection between diabetes and sleep apnea. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, 40 % of folks with obstructive sleep apnea also have diabetes.  That number is really extraordinary and troubling at the same time.  Sleep apnea by itself is bad enough, but it also worries about becoming diabetic, which can make you want to give the CPAP another try.

Once again, according to the study…

"Previous studies have shown that sleep deprivation may lead to changes in hormones that regulate appetite and hunger” and “these hormonal changes can lead to significant craving for high-calorie carbohydrates such as cookies, candy, bread, rice, and potatoes. The current study supports previous findings by validating this in a community sample of diabetics."

They also imply that just treating the diabetes wouldn’t be enough to stop the craving; the sleep apnea will have to be corrected as well.  Which, of course, is easier said than done.