Sleep disturbances - Hormone Health Clinic

What causes sleep disturbances? There are many potential causes, including:

• Stress or anxiety - Worrying or racing thoughts can make it hard to fall asleep. Stress hormones like cortisol disrupt normal sleep cycles.
• Depression - Depression is strongly linked to insomnia and other sleep problems. The lack of deep, restful sleep can also worsen depression symptoms.
• Chronic pain - Conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia cause aches and discomfort that make it hard to get comfortable. Tossing and turning from pain disrupts sleep.
• Medications - Some prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds, and even supplements can interfere with sleep. Check with your doctor if you suspect a medication side effect.
• Caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine - Consuming any of these too close to bedtime can prevent you from falling or staying asleep.
• Underlying health issues - Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, acid reflux, and other disorders can severely impact sleep quality. See a doctor to identify and treat any underlying condition.
• Disrupted circadian rhythm - Things like jet lag, working night shifts, or inconsistent sleep schedules can throw off your body's natural sleep-wake cycle.

What are the consequences of poor sleep? Not getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night can lead to:

Consequence	Description
Daytime fatigue	You'll feel sluggish, sleepy, and mentally foggy from lack of deep, restorative sleep. This impairs concentration, productivity, and performance.
Depression and anxiety	Insomnia aggravates mental health issues. The lack of sleep causes stress hormones to rise.
Weakened immune system	Sleep deprivation reduces your ability to fight infections. This increases susceptibility to colds, flu, and illnesses.
Weight gain and obesity	Disrupted sleep cycles lead to imbalanced hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin. This increases cravings and caloric intake.

Consequence	Description
Higher risk of chronic diseases	Poor sleep is linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers. Lack of sleep strains the body.
Impaired memory and cognition	Sleep is vital for consolidating memories and information. Insufficient sleep hampers focus, retention, and recall.

If you regularly struggle with sleep disturbances, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help identify any underlying cause and provide effective treatment options. Lifestyle changes like limiting caffeine, establishing a bedtime routine, and reducing screen time before bed can also improve sleep habits.

At Hormone Health Clinic, we offer cutting-edge hormone optimization therapy to help patients sleep better and wake up refreshed. Our integrative approach addresses hormone imbalances that disrupt normal circadian rhythms. We provide personalized treatment plans with bioidentical hormone replacement and other therapies to resolve sleep disturbances. Our team of medical experts leverages the latest advancements to identify and correct the root causes of your sleep disorder.

Sleep is the foundation of health and wellbeing. If you're struggling with sleep disturbances, don't hesitate to seek help. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can achieve restful, restorative sleep and improve your overall quality of life.