How stress can lead to stomach ulcers

The loss of a good night's sleep could do more than make you yawn - it may trigger stomach ulcers.

Research published shows that good sleeping habits result in better production of a protein called TFF2 that repairs tissue damage in the stomach and keeps ulcers at bay.

It also confirms that eating late is bad for you because it also suppresses the same protein. The study of 12 volunteers by Dr Felicity May and colleagues at Newcastle University backs up the idea that stressful lifestyles are more likely to lead to ulcers.

Her work, published in the medical journal Gut, shows levels of TFF2 peak at night when it rapidly increases around breaches in the stomach lining following harm caused by food and alcohol.

Levels of the protein were lowest in the afternoon and early evening and rose sharply after 1am - peaking at 5am. During the sleeping period, TFF2 levels increased by up to 340 times.

Dr May said the findings could have implications for those whose daily routine does not allow them to get a good night's sleep, such as shift workers, as well as travellers experiencing jet lag and people with hectic social lives.

She added: 'If you don't get any sleep it would mean lower levels of the protein. This would suggest those who get too little sleep and often eat late are more at risk of stomach ulcers.'

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