Sleep disturbances affect nearly everyone at some point. They occur when you have problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting quality sleep. Some common types of sleep disturbances include:
- Insomnia - difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Sleep apnea - pauses in breathing during sleep
- Restless leg syndrome - urge to move legs due to uncomfortable sensations
- Circadian rhythm disorders - mismatch between sleep timing and internal body clock
What causes sleep disturbances? There are often multiple factors involved, such as:
- Stress
- Medical conditions like depression, chronic pain, cancer, etc.
- Medications
- Sleep environment - too much light, noise, uncomfortable bedding, etc.
- Unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol/caffeine, irregular sleep schedules, etc.
The effects of ongoing sleep disturbances should not be taken lightly. Lack of quality sleep can negatively impact:
- Energy/alertness
- Mood
- Cognitive functioning
- Immune health
- Heart health
- Ability to work/attend school
- Relationships
- Overall wellbeing
If you've been experiencing sleep issues like insomnia or sleep apnea, the medical team at Optimal Hormone Wellness Center can help. We specialize in using bioidentical hormone therapy to improve sleep and restore healthy circadian rhythms. Contact us today to learn more!
To alleviate sleep disturbances, it's important to understand and address the root causes. Work on optimizing your sleep environment and habits. Avoid screens before bedtime, keep the room cool/dark/quiet, go to bed and wake up on a consistent schedule, limit caffeine (especially late in the day), etc. If lifestyle and environmental changes aren't working, speak to your doctor or a sleep specialist. They can recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI), medications, and determine if you need tests for underlying conditions. Catching and properly managing sleep disorders early is key to preventing complications down the road.
In summary:
- Sleep disturbances like insomnia negatively impact health and functioning
- Underlying causes should be evaluated
- Start with optimizing sleep environment/habits
- Seek professional treatment if problems persist - options like therapy, medications, APAP machines for apnea, etc. can help
- Our 24/7 circadian rhythms rely on consistent daily sleep-wake cycles
- Making sleep a priority benefits both physical and mental health
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