Getting a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep is important for a variety of reasons. It's tantamount to healthy child development and adult health. Adults who can sleep deeply without interruptions from breathing difficulties are more alert, better able to lose and maintain a healthy weight and have a healthier emotional balance. You should take precautions to eliminate sleep intrusions, including food that causes you abnormal breathing. Eating before going to bed can affect your breathing and sleep patterns for a variety of reasons.
Heartburn
It's best to avoid eating foods that give you heartburn before you go to bed if you are susceptible to the reflux condition. According to MayoClinic.com, the pressure of the gas climbing up through your esophagus can cause you to have difficulty breathing. Effects of greasy and spicy food also are exacerbated when you lie down. Garlic and other spices are common culprits that lead to heartburn. Reflux affects everyone differently, so you should avoid late night snacks that consist of foods that typically cause you discomfort during the day. The effects will be worse at night when you are prone.
Obesity
When you consume more calories than you use in a day, the excess calories, or energy, are stored in your body as fat. Eating before bed doesn't not necessarily make you obese, unless the calories you consume are over and above your daily needs. Eating just before bed means that you won't be burning off the excess calories through exercise. Obesity is a major contributor to sleep apnea when your breathing is interrupted during the night. The periodic breathing interruptions leave you feeling tired and worn out in the morning and eventually can lead to heart problems as well.
Swallowing
If you have a swallowing disorder or any of the conditions that lead to difficulty swallowing, you should eat very slowly and make sure you chew any bedtime snacks thoroughly, according to Medline Plus. If food gets stuck in your esophagus or throat, you may have trouble breathing when you lie down, which interrupts your sleep. It may be safer to stick to liquids to avoid complications. Very hot and very cold foods also can cause difficulty swallowing. Conditions that can affect swallowing include tumors, anxiety or other emotional disorders, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and esophageal spasms.
Allergies
If you eat something you are allergic to before going to sleep, you may stop breathing completely. Anaphylactic shock is a severe, life-threatening reaction to food in people with allergies. The side effect blocks your airways, making it impossible to breathe. Immediate medical attention and a shot of epinephrine are required. Food sensitivities that are not life threatening can cause your sleep to be interrupted as well. For example, if drinking milk causes you to produce an excessive amount of secretions, you may develop a post-nasal drip that will make breathing and sleeping difficult.
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