Overview

Sleep-related eating disorder involves frequent episodes of out-of-control eating and drinking behaviors while in a state of sleep. You may be partially or fully unaware of your behavior while preparing and eating food, with little or no memory of these actions the next morning.

Sleep-related eating disorder can be dangerous because you could injure yourself during food preparation or eat inedible or toxic items. Sleep-related eating disorder can also have an impact on your health due to weight gain and obesity from eating high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods.

Sleep-related eating disorder can be associated with certain medications, eating disorders and other sleep disorders. Addressing these issues often resolves sleep-related eating disorder.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Sleep-related eating disorder is a parasomnia — abnormal activity or behavior that occurs while you're falling asleep, sleeping or waking up.

Episodes of sleep-related eating disorder occur in the first half of the night after you've been sleeping and include:

• Frequent episodes, generally nightly, of eating and drinking in an out-of-control manner
• Impaired consciousness while preparing and eating food
• Little or no memory of these actions the next morning
• Eating high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods or odd combinations of food
• Possibly eating inedible or toxic substances, such as frozen foods, coffee grounds, cleaning solutions or cigarette butts
• Possibly experiencing injuries or engaging in dangerous food preparation activities
• Not being easily awakened or redirected during the episode
• Experiencing a negative impact on your health from the nighttime eating

When to see a doctor

Sleep-related eating disorder can be dangerous and impact your health and safety. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

Sleep-related eating disorder usually occurs during non-rapid eye movement sleep in the first half of the night and is associated with the transition from non-rapid eye movement to arousal during sleep.

The exact mechanism for why it occurs is not known, but sleep-related eating disorder often occurs in people who have a history of sleepwalking, so these conditions may be related.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of sleep-related eating disorder may include:

• Physical exam. Your doctor asks questions about your medical history to rule out possible underlying causes of sleep-related eating disorder.
• Sleep habits review. In addition to asking you sleep-related questions, your doctor may have you complete a questionnaire to determine your sleep-wake pattern and level of daytime sleepiness. You may also be asked to keep a sleep diary for a couple of weeks. Information from your sleep partner, parent or other household members may be helpful.
• Sleep study. Your doctor will likely recommend a video-recorded sleep study called polysomnography. This test monitors and records a variety of body activities while you sleep, including brain waves, breathing, heartbeat, eye movements and body movements.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

A sleep-related eating disorder can result in:

• Dangerous use of kitchen appliances, falls, cuts, burns, choking, injury from eating something inedible or toxic, or eating something you're allergic to
• Health problems, such as weight gain, poor diabetes control or dental cavities
• Feelings of guilt and helplessness over the lack of control
• Daytime tiredness from disrupted sleep

Lifestyle and home remedies

In addition to your treatment plan, lifestyle changes that may help include:

• Environmental changes. Make your sleep area and kitchen safer to avoid injury. Also, consider storing foods typically eaten during a sleep-related eating disorder episode outside the kitchen or placing locks on cabinets and the fridge.
• Good sleep habits. Develop regular sleep and wake times. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, including weekends. Get enough sleep every night.
• Focus on staying healthy. For example, avoid alcohol and tobacco.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

Sleep-related eating disorder is more common in women and typically starts in the teenage years or the early 20s.

Increased risk of developing sleep-related eating disorder is associated with:

• Other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, sleepwalking, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome
• Hypnotic sleep medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist), and certain other medications, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics
• Having a daytime eating disorder, such as bulimia or anorexia
• Having a mental health disorder, such as stress, anxiety or depression
• Having a first-degree relative — a parent, child or sibling — with sleep-related eating disorder or sleepwalking
• Experiencing sleep deprivation

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com