IBS and Sleep

Have you ever noticed a relationship between how well you sleep and the severity of your IBS symptoms? A new study provides some insight into that phenomenon. According to the abstract, the researchers took a look at serum cortisol and plasma catecholamine levels in IBS patients and healthy control subjects. These substances are hormones that are released by the adrenal glands and are related to the stress response.

The study was conducted at a sleep laboratory. As the subjects slept, blood samples were drawn throughout the night. Overall, the results found no significant differences when comparing the hormone levels of IBS and non-IBS individuals. However, a significant difference was seen in the hormone levels of IBS-C vs. IBS-D patients. IBS-C patients experienced an increase in noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol during sleep, while IBS-D patients experienced lower levels of noradrenaline and cortisol. Who says IBS is all in your head??!!

I always advise my patients to consider their hormones when managing their symptoms. If you suffer from IBS-D, you may find that your symptoms are worse in the morning. Just be careful not to assume that a bad morning necessarily means a bad day and make sure to use strategies for calming your system. For IBS-C patients, schedule time in the morning to use your bowel retraining skills, as you will be using your body's natural biorhythms to your best advantage.

Do you see a relationship between sleep and your symptoms? How about a relationship between the time of day and your symptoms? Leave a comment below and share your experience!

_Source:

_{Burr RL, Jarrett ME, Cain KC, Jun SE, Heitkemper MM "Catecholamine and cortisol levels during sleep in women with irritable bowel syndrome." Neurogastroenterology & Motility Published online 1 July 2009.}