Sleep disturbances affect nearly everyone at some point. They occur when you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, which leads to daytime fatigue or sleepiness. Common sleep disturbances include:
- Insomnia - difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Sleep apnea - pauses in breathing during sleep
- Restless leg syndrome - unpleasant sensations and urge to move legs
- Circadian rhythm disorders - mismatch between sleep pattern and external cycle
What causes sleep disturbances? There are often multiple factors involved:
- Stress, anxiety, or depression
- Pain or chronic illness
- Medications
- Sleep environment - too much light, noise, uncomfortable bed
- Eating too much or too close to bedtime
Consequences of sleep disturbances include:
- Fatigue and sleepiness during the day
- Problems with memory, concentration, and cognition
- Mood changes - irritability, depression
- Impaired immune system, increased infections
- Weight gain and increased disease risk
If you struggle with sleep issues, the medical providers at Revive Hormone Institute can help. We specialize in using bioidentical hormone therapy to treat the root causes of sleep disorders. Schedule a consultation today to discuss customized treatment plans!
To alleviate sleep disturbances, try making both daytime and nighttime adjustments:
- Daytime
- Get regular exercise each day
- Limit napping
- Avoid stimulants like caffeine, nicotine close to bedtime
- Nighttime
- Follow a regular sleep-wake schedule
- Establish a calming pre-bed routine
- Make bedroom dark, cool, and quiet
- Reduce electronic device use before bed
If self-help strategies don't improve your sleep, talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist. They can recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, sleep medications, or medical devices like CPAP for sleep apnea. Ignoring persistent sleep problems can negatively impact both physical and mental health.
Getting adequate, high-quality sleep is crucial for health and well-being. Don't hesitate to seek professional treatment if you regularly struggle with
sleep disturbances - help is available!