Insomnia and Obesity

I was going to title this article  "Awake for the Cake" or "Alert for Desert" or maybe even "Restlessness for...." I got nothin'. But in all seriousness how much a person sleeps at night can impact their weight. This is because the amount of sleep a person gets can affect certain hormones, specifically the hormones leptin and ghrelin (sounds like good names for storybook trolls), that affect appetite. Leptin and Ghrelin work in a kind of check and balance system to control feelings of hunger and fullness.

Ghrelin, which is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates appetite, while leptin, produced in fat cells, sends a signal to the brain when you are full. When you  don't get enough sleep it causes leptin levels to drop, which means you don't feel as satisfied after you eat and increases ghrelin levels, stimulating your appetite so you want more food. The two combined can set the stage for overeating which in turn may lead to weight gain.

Besides obesity, insomnia also goes hand in hand with chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Actually the clinical consequences of untreated sleep disorders can also include:

-High blood pressure

-Heart attack

-Heart failure

-Stroke

-Depression and mood disorders

-Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

So if you suffer from insomnia, chronic pain or fibromyalgia mention it to your chiropractor for advice, recommendations and potential treatment. If you have any questions about your health and whether or not chiropractic can help call Alexandria Chiropractic Center at 859-635-6666 today and ask to speak with Dr. Kevin E. Crowley.

How about "Restlessness for diet fecklessness" ...oh never mind.