Night eating syndrome: causes, symptoms, and treatment
Night eating syndrome is a condition characterized by excessive eating at night. People with night eating syndrome may eat several small meals or snacks throughout the night, or they may binge eat. Night eating syndrome is different from sleep eating, which is a sleep disorder characterized by eating during sleep.
Night eating syndrome is more common in women than men, and it is more common in people who are obese. Night eating syndrome is thought to be linked to several factors, including:
Sleep disturbances: People with night eating syndrome often have difficulty sleeping, which can lead to late-night eating.
Depression: Depression is common in people with night eating syndrome, and late-night eating may be a way to cope with depressed moods.
Anxiety: People with night eating syndrome may eat to reduce anxiety or stress.
Binge eating disorder: Binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome often occur together.
Night eating syndrome is a serious condition that can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems. Treatment for night eating syndrome may include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy: This type of therapy can help people with night eating syndrome change their thoughts and behaviors around food.
Dialectical behavior therapy: This type of therapy can help people with night eating syndrome learn how to cope with difficult emotions.
Medication: Some people with night eating syndrome may benefit from medication, such as antidepressants.
Nutrition counseling: A registered dietitian can help people with night eating syndrome make healthy changes to their diet.
If you think you may have night eating syndrome, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional..More information
The role of light exposure in night eating syndrome
Night eating syndrome (NES) is a condition characterized by excessive food intake and wakefulness during the night.NES is associated with distress and impaired quality of life.NES has been shown to be associated with sleep disorders,depression,anxiety,and other psychiatric disorders.
The etiology of NES is unknown, but recent evidence suggests that light exposure may play a role in the development and maintenance of the disorder.NES has been associated with light exposure at night, and light exposure during the day has been shown to be a powerful cue for wakefulness and night-time eating.
Light exposure may play a role in the development of NES by disrupting the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. The disruption of the circadian rhythm has been linked to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
NES is a treatable condition, and treatment typically includes a combination of behavioral and pharmacological interventions.NES is a complex disorder, and more research is needed to understand the role of light exposure in the development and maintenance of the disorder.
Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about night eating syndrome. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.
