Sleep disturbances affect nearly everyone at some point. They occur when you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, which leads to daytime exhaustion. Common sleep disturbances include:
- Insomnia - Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Sleep apnea - Breathing interruptions during sleep
- Restless leg syndrome - Uncomfortable leg sensations leading to restless sleep
- Circadian rhythm disorders - Misaligned sleep/wake cycles
What causes sleep disturbances?
There are often multiple factors at play:
- Stress
- Underlying health issues - thyroid, gastrointestinal, neurological, or mental health disorders
- Medications
- Poor sleep habits - inconsistent bedtimes, exposure to blue light from screens before bed
How are sleep disturbances diagnosed?
Start by tracking your sleep patterns in a sleep diary. Share this with your doctor, who can then:
- Ask about symptoms and medical history
- Conduct blood tests to check for underlying issues
- Order a sleep study to analyze sleep stages and breathing
How are sleep disturbances treated?
- Improve sleep hygiene - limit blue light at night, keep bedroom dark and cool, avoid large meals before bed
- Address underlying health issues
- Adjust medications if they are contributing
- Consider sleep aids temporarily - melatonin, prescription medications
- Try relaxation techniques - meditation, gentle yoga
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
If you're struggling with a
sleep disorder, the hormone specialists at
Hormone Harmony can provide advanced testing and personalized treatment plans to help you finally get the restorative sleep your body needs.
Schedule a consultation today to learn more! We accept most major insurance plans.
Now, let's go over some key points about
sleep disturbances:
What are the most common sleep disorders?
The most prevalent sleep disturbances are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and issues with the body's internal clock or
circadian rhythm.
What factors contribute to sleep problems?
Stress, health conditions, medications, and poor sleep habits like inconsistent bedtimes can all trigger sleep issues.
Why is it important to treat sleep disorders?
Treating sleep problems is crucial for improving energy, productivity, mood, and long-term health. The risks of untreated sleep disorders include obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
I hope this overview on sleep disturbances was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.
And for personalized sleep treatment plans, be sure to contact the exceptional team at Hormone Harmony.