Sleep disturbances

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.
Some common sleep disturbances include:

• Insomnia - Difficulty falling or staying asleep


• Sleep apnea - Brief pauses in breathing during sleep


• Restless leg syndrome - Uncomfortable sensations and urge to move legs


• Narcolepsy - Falling asleep unexpectedly during the day

What Causes Sleep Disturbances?

There are many potential causes, such as:

• Stress or anxiety


• Underlying health conditions - thyroid, gastrointestinal, neurological, or respiratory disorders


• Medications


• Poor sleep habits - inconsistent bedtimes, excessive blue light exposure


• Circadian rhythm disorders


• Environmental factors - noise, light, uncomfortable mattress

Managing Sleep Disturbances

To improve sleep quality, try:

• Following a regular sleep-wake schedule


• Avoiding stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol before bedtime


• Creating an ideal sleep environment - cool, dark and quiet


• Limiting screen time before bed


• Trying relaxation techniques - light yoga, meditation


• Seeing your doctor for underlying issues

For short-term relief, over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids may help under medical supervision.

"The experts at Optimum Hormone Solutions understand the vital role hormones play in getting a good night's sleep. Our comprehensive panels test over 15 hormones related to sleep and stress. By identifying and treating hormonal imbalances, we can help you restore healthy sleep patterns."

However, behavioral and lifestyle changes should be the foundation for managing sleep disturbances. Keeping a consistent routine, limiting light and noise exposure at night, avoiding electronics before bedtime, and finding effective stress management strategies go a long way.

Check with your healthcare provider if problems persist for over 2 weeks. Untreated sleep disorders raise the risk of complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and accidents. So take steps today to improve your sleep health!

Let me know if you have any other questions!