New Delhi: Using screens late at night has become quite commonplace. Nowadays, a lot of people go to bed with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and televisions—often
until the very last moments before falling asleep. Although there is much discussion about how this behavior affects the quality of sleep, a less well-known side effect is showing up in clinics: an increase in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms associated with disturbed sleep physiology. A growing body of research indicates that prolonged screen usage at night may disrupt the gut-brain axis, causing acid reflux, changed bowel habits, and flare-ups of functional GI illnesses.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Narasimhaiah Srinivasaiah, Sr. Consultant – Colorectal Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta, Founder: Bangalore Bowel Care, spoke about how exposure to screens can trigger gut problems.
Melatonin, a hormone that the pineal gland releases in response to darkness, is at the center of this relationship. Melatonin controls the sleep-wake cycle, but its effects go beyond sleep. The gastrointestinal tract produces large amounts of melatonin, which affects gut motility, intestinal permeability, acid secretion, and visceral sensitivity. Under normal circumstances, melatonin helps coordinate the slowing of gut movements at night, protects the stomach lining, and modulates intestinal pain perception.
By telling the brain that it is still sunlight, blue light from screens inhibits the release of melatonin. Melatonin secretion is decreased and delayed when prolonged screen time occurs late at night. This modifies the timing and quality of sleep in addition to reducing its duration. The circadian rhythm, which synchronises digestive activities with rest and fasting intervals, is disrupted by fragmented or delayed sleep.
This disruption might take many different forms from a gastrointestinal standpoint. Increased acid production at night is linked to decreased melatonin, which can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients may have regurgitation, heartburn, or chest pain that gets worse when they lie down. However, some people may experience constipation as a result of reduced gastrointestinal motility, while others may experience diarrhea or bloating, especially if they are at risk for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Poor sleep can increase gut sensitivity, which can make regular digestive actions painful or uncomfortable, according to studies.
Crucially, these symptoms are frequently exclusively linked to “stress,” erratic eating schedules, or nutritional errors. Although stress is a factor in GI issues, concentrating solely on stress may cause sleep-related factors to go unnoticed. Many people do not link their late-night binge-watching or browsing to irregular bowel movements, morning acidity, or abdominal pain. What starts as sporadic discomfort might eventually become disruptive and frequent, leading to recurrent use of laxatives or antacids without treating the underlying reason.
A helpful foundation for comprehending this phenomenon is the gut-brain axis. The gut bacteria, hormones, enteric nervous system, and central nervous system are all connected by this bidirectional communication network. Functional GI symptoms can be made worse by sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment, which can change the composition of gut microbes, increase stress reactions, and encourage low-grade inflammation. On the other hand, ongoing digestive issues can worsen sleep, starting a vicious cycle.
It’s critical to know when to seek medical attention. After a late night, occasional acidity or bloating is common and typically reversible with better sleep habits. However, if symptoms are ongoing, getting worse, or accompanied by warning indications such as inadvertent weight loss, anemia, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, or nocturnal symptoms that frequently interfere with sleep, a doctor should be seen. A healthcare provider should be consulted if a person with chronic IBS or reflux experiences flares that coincide with restless nights.
It’s not necessary to completely give up screens to address the gut-sleep link, but time and moderation are important. Natural melatonin release can be supported by limiting screen time at least an hour before bed, utilising blue-light filters or night mode, sticking to regular sleep routines, and providing a dark sleeping environment. These strategies can greatly lessen the burden of GI symptoms when paired with healthy eating practices and stress reduction.
One thing is evident as knowledge advances: sleep and intestinal health are intertwined. Knowing how using screens at night affects the gut can help avoid minor disruptions from developing into chronic gastrointestinal illnesses in a time of constant connectedness.
