Sleep is something that everyone needs. Although you lay down every night and drift off, you may not be reaching a deep state of sleep that allows your body to properly repair itself and recover from the day. A study published in Nature reveals that regulated circadian rhythm may be exactly what your body needs to manage gastrointestinal issues. Read on to learn how a lack of sleep affects gut health.
What Happens To Your Body When You Sleep?
When you reach a state of deep sleep, your body is able to generate the necessary chemicals to repair muscles, organs, cells, and boost your immune system. Throughout the night, we move between REM and non-REM sleep. Non-REM is the lighter stage of rest where your body starts to slow down. REM is a deep sleep stage where your eyes begin to dart back and forth and your pulse, body temperature, breathing, and blood pressure all reach the levels they’re at during the daytime.
During this deep sleep, your body is working overtime to repair itself and remain healthy, which is why it’s so important to get your recommended eight hours of rest each night. Scientists believe that REM helps your brain purge the information it has collected that it doesn’t need and produce necessary hormones that relieve stress and anxiety.
Uncovering the Link Between Poor Rest and Gut Health
A study published in Nature in September 2019 discovered that a major group of immune cells that are vital to regulating gut function and health are controlled by the brain’s circadian clock. They found that poor rest or sleep deprivation can result in dramatic changes to your body and cause issues with inflammation, infections, regulated gut bacteria, and metabolism.
Your circadian rhythm is a natural internal clock that regulates your sleep state and repeats itself every 24 hours. REM sleep stages are also controlled by this clock. Certain conditions and disorders can throw off this sleep-wake schedule, impacting bodily function and even causing health conditions, as shown by this study.
Treating Sleeping Conditions to Improve Bodily Function
There are several conditions that can impact your circadian rhythm and keep your body from reaching REM, preventing it from repairing itself. Obstructive sleep apnea routinely interrupts the body throughout the night due to blocked airways. Without the proper airflow, this condition can cause a decrease of oxygen in your blood, increase your risk of health issues, and even impact your ability to function throughout the day. With an official diagnosis in hand, patients can seek treatment from their sleep dentist and restore their quality of rest.
Although sleeping conditions may not seem like pressing issues to deal with, they often result in the formation of serious health problems down the road, making them vital to treat. With the right professional by your side, you can restore your quality of rest and prevent issues such as IBS, heart disease, and depression.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Gromling has over 40 years of experience in dentistry. He is dedicated to improving his patients oral and overall health and providing treatments that boost their overall quality of life. He has completed countless advanced training and courses in obstructive sleep apnea treatment and is an active member or 10 professional organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Virginia Academy of Sleep Medicine. For questions or to schedule a consultation for sleep apnea treatment, visit his website or call 540-869-4377.