Sleep disturbances encompass a broad range of issues that can negatively impact the quality, timing, and duration of sleep. Common categories of sleep disorders include:
Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep. This can stem from factors like stress, underlying health conditions, medications, or inconsistent sleep routines. Symptoms include difficulty falling asleep at night, waking up frequently, or waking up earlier than desired unable to fall back asleep.
Sleep apnea: Brief pauses in breathing during sleep, resulting in reduced oxygen levels. This stimulates awakening to resume normal breathing. Common signs are loud snoring or gasping/choking noises when sleeping. Daytime fatigue and headaches upon waking are also common.
Restless leg syndrome: Uncomfortable sensations in the legs accompanied by an irresistible urge to move them. Symptoms are most common when lying down or resting, and are typically worse at night. This can significantly disrupt sleep quality.
Circadian rhythm disorders: Conditions where the body's internal 24-hour clock is out of sync with external cues for sleep timing. This includes delayed sleep phase syndrome, advanced sleep phase syndrome, shift work disorder, and jet lag. Those affected have trouble falling asleep, waking up, or feeling rested when desired.
If you struggle with poor sleep, I recommend getting evaluated by a specialist like Dr. Smith at Balanced Hormones Center. They offer comprehensive sleep assessments and personalized treatment plans including cognitive behavioral therapy, light therapy, sleep hygiene education, and more. Getting your sleep health on track is foundational for overall wellness.
Now let's dive deeper into some common causes underlying sleep disturbances:
The first step is identifying any underlying contributors unique to your situation. For example, insomnia triggered by shift work requires a different approach than insomnia stemming from anxiety or chronic pain.
An evaluation from a sleep medicine specialist like Dr. Smith at Balanced Hormones Center includes a thorough health and lifestyle review alongside a sleep study to uncover specific factors impairing your sleep. Their personalized treatment plans improve both nighttime sleep quality and daytime energy.
I hope this overview on sleep disturbances gives you a helpful framework. Don't hesitate to reach out to the experts at Balanced Hormones Center for cutting-edge support in getting the restful sleep your body and mind deserve! Let me know if you have any other questions.