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Jun 23, 2006
Night Eating Syndrome
by SirGan
 Night Eating Syndrome, also called the Nocturnal Eating Syndrome, is one very specific disorder where the affected individual wakes up several times during the night and is unable to fall back asleep unless they eat something. What's also characteristic- foods eaten during these wake episodes are often high caloric in content and unhealthy. The fact is also that these eating episodes usually occur in secret and any evidence is often hidden from others. Studies have proven that this night eating behavior seems totally beyond the effected individual's control. Big problem is that people who suffer from Night Eating Syndrome are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating during the night and eating less during the day. The fact is also that individuals suffering from Night Eating Syndrome are often struggling and unhappy with their weight.
Triggers fro Night Eating SyndromeTriggers for Night Eating Syndrome include:
· depression,
· anxiety,
· interpersonal stressors,
· boredom,
· prolonged dieting,
· body image dissatisfaction
Several studies done in the past have proven that this night eating may temporarily relieve the stress of these unwanted feelings, but one the long run- in most cases these episodes are unfortunately followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and further depression.
Nature of the conditionAlthough not too many people know much about it- the fact is that night eating syndrome is now recognized as a specific type of eating disorder. To be more precise-it is considered a parasomnia, and is a rare type of sleepwalking, a disorder of arousal. It is also recognized as mood and sleep disorder as well.
Incidence of the conditionNight-eating syndrome was first described in 1955 and, similar to anorexics, bulimics, and compulsive overeaters, it is estimated that up to one percent of the population may be suffering from Night Eating Syndrome. One very big study suggests that more than a 27% of people who are overweight by at least 100 pounds have the problem.
Signs and symptomsThere are many symptoms which are characteristic only to this condition and the most common are:
What kind of food they eat?The fact is that food consumed during Night Eating Syndrome episodes tends to be high-fat, high-sugar comfort food that people deny themselves while awake. Some researches have shown that in some cases these people eat bizarre combinations of food or non-food items like soap.
Possible causes of Night Eating SyndromeThe fact is that underlying causes are being identified step by step although the exact nature of the condition is still unknown! Good thing is that treatment plans are still being developed. Several researches done in the past have shown that it seems likely that a combination of
Stress as a possible cause
There is no doubt- several theories are proposed which have postulated that people with this condition are under stress, either recognized or hidden. How the stress could be the cause? Well, it is proven that patient’s is flooded with cortisol, a stress hormone. So, the fact is that this night eating may be the body's attempt to neutralize cortisol or slow down its production, and indirectly- relieve stress! Although nothing of this is proven exactly – the fact is that stress-reduction programs, including mental health therapy, seem to help people with Night Eating Disorder! Not only that. Because these people eat carbohydrates, which trigger the brain to produce “good sensations” neurochemicals, this also suggests that night eating may be an unconscious attempt to relieve stress.
Heredity as a possible cause
There is no doubt- several researches have proven that Night Eating Syndrome may run in families.
Dieting as a possible cause
Several researches have proven that many of those affected by the syndrome diet during the day. Of course- this is leaving them hungry and very weak to binge eating during the night when their control to achieve weight loss gets weakened by sleep.
Other conditions as a possible cause
Some people have medical histories of drug abuse, alcoholism, and other sleep disorders such as restless legs, sleep apnea, and sleep walking.
Biochemical and behavioral changesExperts are saying that the typical behavioral characteristics of the night eating syndrome are:
What really happen in the brain of those affected with this condition? Well, the neuroendocrine characteristics have been described as changes in the circadian rhythm by attenuation in the nocturnal rise of the plasma concentrations of melatonin and leptin. Leptin, the "hunger hormone" which rises at night to suppress appetite, was also lower in the night eating syndrome patients, partly explaining their nocturnal food cravings. There us also an increased circadian secretion of cortisol.
These people also have disbalance in the expression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with an attenuated response to stress. It is proven that the mechanisms behind the increased CRH stimulation may involve alterations in the neurotransmitter systems, causing increased nocturnal appetite and disruption in the sleep pattern.
Treatment of Night eating Syndrome
Treatment starts with a medical interview as well as spending a night or two in a good sleep. Patient should be scheduled for a complete physical exam with physician and also an evaluation with a counselor experienced in the treatment of eating disorders and also sleep disorders.
There is no doubt- some qualified dietitian can help develop meal plans that distribute intake more evenly throughout the day so that a patient is not so vulnerable to caloric loading in the evening.
Several researches have proven that evaluation in a sleep laboratory could be worthwhile. The problem is that it is not yet clear whether night eating is an eating disorder or sleep disorder or both.
Although the fact is that medications are sometimes helpful, the truth is that every patient should avoid taking sleeping pills because they can aggravate sleep disorder by adding to the clumsiness and confusion upon waking up and may cause you injury. Some other researches have came to the conclusion that, at this time, patients respond well to the treatment with the SSRI sertraline (a prescription medication).
Therapy which has shown to be beneficial is based on next principles:
Some experts are saying that tryptophan, an important amino acid in the body, could have the major role. It is proven that more than 70% of the nighttime eating is about carbohydrates- foods which are believed to increase the amount of tryptophan available for conversion to serotonin, the calming neurotransmitter in the brain.
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