Sleep disturbances affect nearly everyone at some point. Getting quality sleep is crucial for both physical and mental health. When our sleep is disrupted, it can have wide-ranging impacts.
Some common causes of sleep disturbances include:
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Sleep apnea: Brief pauses in breathing during sleep
- Restless leg syndrome: Uncomfortable sensations that cause an urge to move the legs
- Circadian rhythm disorders: When your internal clock is out of sync with day/night cycles
Sleep disturbances can be caused by various medical issues, mental health conditions, medication side effects, sleep disorders, and lifestyle factors like shift work or poor sleep habits.
Symptoms of sleep disturbances can include:
- Fatigue and low energy during the day
- Problems with memory, concentration, and focus
- Mood changes like irritability or depression
- Lower motivation and difficulty completing tasks
Over time, chronic sleep deprivation from untreated sleep disorders can even contribute to serious medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Fortunately, most sleep disturbances can be improved with lifestyle changes and treatment plans tailored to the underlying cause.
At Balance Hormone Clinic, we specialize in optimizing hormones like melatonin to promote healthy sleep-wake cycles. Our integrative therapies can help address the root factors disrupting your sleep.
Some steps that may help relieve sleep disturbances include:
- Establishing a regular sleep schedule
- Try to go to bed and wake up at consistent times
- Limiting screen time before bed
- Blue light from phones/TVs can disrupt circadian rhythms
- Avoiding large meals, alcohol, and caffeine before bed
- These can interfere with sleep quality
- Relaxation techniques like meditation, gentle yoga, warm baths
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Addresses negative thoughts/behaviors around sleep
If self-care strategies don't resolve your sleep problems, consult your healthcare provider. They can check for underlying issues and refer you to a
sleep specialist for a sleep study or tailored treatment recommendations.
At Balance Hormone Clinic, we provide cutting-edge testing to assess hormone, nutrient, and genetics factors influencing sleep. Our naturopathic doctors develop personalized sleep programs to help you rest easy.