Your dieting and weight loss efforts may be sabotaged by this compulsive intake of calories at night.
What Is Sleep-Related Eating Disorder?
Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is characterized by repeated involuntary episodic eating that occurs during nighttime sleep.
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If awareness is present, the person is unable to stop the compulsion to eat.
The food that is consumed may be quite unusual and is often high in calories.
Leftovers in the fridge may be eaten.
Entire desserts may be eaten.
The food is eaten quickly, and the binge episodes typically last less than 10 minutes.
The episodes typically occur nightly but may occur more than once during the night.
In addition, if they consume toxic substances such as cleaning supplies they may become poisoned.
The next morning after binging a person will feel full and have a poor appetite.
People with SRED often complain of unrefreshing sleep andexcessive daytime sleepiness.
Causes
SRED more commonly occurs in women and typically begins in their 20s.
Its cause is not known.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If sleep-related eating disorder is suspected,it is necessary to have a polysomnography.
This sleep study will often show frequent confusional arousals that most often occur from slow-wave sleep.
Sleep apnea is often identified and treatment for this condition may help.
If SRED is diagnosed, it will be important to followbasic sleep guidelines.
It is also necessary to make both the sleep environment and kitchen a safe place.
This may involve making unsafe objects inaccessible, including knives, appliances, and even cleaning supplies.
If a sleep disorder is identified during the sleep study, this will require separatetreatment.
In addition, medications such as clonazepam, levodopa, or topiramate may be helpful.
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