Nocturnal Eating Syndrome May Lead to Obesity

An Overview of the Symptoms, Cause, Origin and Treatment of Nocturnal Eating Syndrome

For individuals who suffer from Nocturnal Eating Syndrome, also known as nighttime eating, the condition is often unnoticed and undiagnosed for many months. As a sleeping disorder, nocturnal eating is, for many adults, simply a common practice of the events associated with bedtime rest. However, when night time eating continues, after sleep is introduced, a condition known as Nocturnal Eating Syndrome may be the culprit. Considered a sleeping disorder, many adult sufferers are surprised to learn the condition is considered a complication associated with the brain activity and sleep patterns and, even more surprising, many are unaware of the complication in their own sleep patterns.

While many individuals would consider night time binge eating not of significant concern, there are definitely health issues to be addressed. With Nocturnal Eating Syndrome, patients, most often women, reportedly sleepwalk, into the kitchen, and then proceed to consume large amounts of high fat and high sugar content food in one sitting. As if sleepwalking was not risky enough, these women may begin to experience a greater health complication associated with improper food preparation and intake. While it may seem odd, individuals with nocturnal eating disorders may, inadvertently, eat something not edible, may sustain injury when using a stove or knives and could fall or sustain injury during the sleepwalking process.

For individuals who live alone, often, nocturnal eating is not even realized until several episodes have occurred. For many, the sleep walking, eating and then returning to bed is not done in a conscious state of mind and, therefore, the individual may not realize the even occurred during the over night hours.