There is no need to say that sleeping is important. Our body and our brain need a good night sleep to stay functional for the rest of the day. And when our sleep is interrupted, we can expect to not be as bright as other days. One of the symptoms that sleep-deprived people experience is nausea. In this article we discover if lack of sleep can cause nausea.
Can sleep deprivation cause nausea
It’s been proven that lack of sleep can lead you to feel nauseated, as it can effect various mechanisms in your body. Here are some factors that paly a role in linking lack of sleep to nausea:
Stress and anxiety
Sleep deprivation can cause stress, and elevated stress level can lead to nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Hormonal changes
The balance of hormones in the body can get disrupted by lack sleep, including hormones that regulate your appetite. Increased stress level can elevated a hormone called cortisol that can influence feelings of nausea.
In many cases, nausea occurs during the early stages of pregnancy. And pregnancy and sleep are very much connected.
Digestive system disfunction
Not having enough sleep can affect your digestive system. Changes in gut motility and the release of digestive enzymes can make you feel nauseated.
Dehydration
Lack of sleep can lead to body dehydration. Your body may not have enough time to rehydrated during sleep and this can lead to nausea.
Blood sugar levels
Your blood sugar regulation can be affected by sleep deprivation. It can lead to insulin resistance and elevate your blood sugar, leaving you nauseated and in discomfort.
So, the reason why you get nauseous when you don’t get enough sleep can be stress, dehydration, elevated blood sugar, disruption in your digestive system and immune system, and some hormonal changes.
Other effects of lack of sleep
As we mentioned earlier, having at least 7 hours of sleep is essential for a good physical and mental health. The more sleep-deprived you are the more damage to your mind and body. Here are some of the negative effects of sleep deprivation you need to be aware of:
Impaired cognitive function
Let’s begin with saying what we mean by cognitive function. Aspects of mind such as concentration, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making are examples of cognitive function. Not getting enough sleep at night can interfere with these functions, leading to having difficulty concentrating, decreased alertness and an overall reduced productivity.
Poorer mental health
Insufficient sleep can worsen symptoms of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder if there is background potential.
Weakened immune system
Inadequate sleep can compromise your immune system and make your body as easier target for infections and illnesses with longer recovery time.
Increased risk of chronic diseases
Not having enough sleep for a long time has been proven to increase the risk of certain chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and even cardiovascular diseases.
How to cope with your sleep-induced nausea
Now, regardless of all these explanations, what if you wake up feeling nauseated? There are various natural ways to remedy this feeling and start the rest of your day fresh:
- Stay hydrated. Drink enough fluid. However, avoid consuming large amount of fluid at once as it can increase nausea.
- Get some fresh air
- Sit down for some time. Moving can worsen the feel of nausea for some people.
- Avoid any salty, fatty or spicy food.
- Avoid intense strong smells. They can make you feel even worse.
- Peppermint has natural calming components. You can try peppermint tea, or suck on peppermint candy or gum.
- Ginger is known for its anti-nausea effects. You can take ginger tea, ginger ale, or chew on some fresh ginger to ease your feeling.
Ways to remedy sleep deprivation
- Follow a consistent sleep routine to regulate your body’s internal clock.
- Reduce exposure to your electronic devices 2 hours before bed. The blue light created by their screen can affect your sleep hormone AKA melatonin. try putting your phone far from your bed to reduce the radiation.
- Don’t consume any drink with caffeine or alcohol before bed.
- Limit your naps during the day to fall sleep easier at nights. This way you can have complete sleep stages during the night.
- Watch your diet. try not to eat any heavy meals before going to sleep.
Addressing sleep deprivation by improving your sleep routine, bedroom hygiene, stress management, and addressing underlying sleep disorders can also help you maintain optimal physical and mental well-being.
Sometimes, you don’t have enough time to sleep through the whole 8 hours. In this situation, it’s better to sleep for two hours rather than skip sleep totally. But there are thing you need to consider when doing this.
When to speak to a healthcare professional
If your nausea is persistent or getting worse, and if there are any additional symptoms like acute abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or vomiting for more than 24 hours, you should contact your doctor. If you have chronic sleep deprivation or insomnia, consult a healthcare professional for assistance.
Overall, lack of sleep can cause nausea. But there are multiple ways to prevent or cure it. Fixing your sleep schedule can help you to wake up fresh and without any nausea. However, if you do wake up feeling like you’re going to throw up, trying some of the suggestions above might help you get rid of that unpleasant feeling.
Sweet dreams!
