What’s the story behind this connection? Scientists say that a lack of sleep causes our immune system to ramp up (via Sleep Foundation). When this happens, the body produces an excess of proteins that boost tissue inflammation, including within the intestines. Hello, nausea. While this may only be bothersome on occasion, prolonged sleep deprivation can put us at risk of developing various gastrointestinal disorders or may exacerbate the symptoms of those already diagnosed. Such conditions include peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colon cancer, and more.
Alternatively, fatigue and nausea that occur simultaneously may be indicative of an alternate health condition unrelated to the digestive tract. Hyper- or hypothyroidism, migraines, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, allergies, and pregnancy are among those on the list, according to experts at Medical News Today. However, feeling sleepy and nauseous at the same time isn’t always a sign of a health condition. Sometimes, a particularly exhausting vacation may be the cause of your nausea, especially if your sleep-wake cycle is being thrown off by traveling through a different time zone (via NBC News).