Sleep disturbances affect nearly everyone at some point. They occur when you have trouble falling or staying asleep, which leads to daytime fatigue or sleepiness. Common sleep disturbances include:
- Insomnia - difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Sleep apnea - breathing interruptions during sleep
- Restless leg syndrome - urge to move legs when resting
- Narcolepsy - falling asleep unexpectedly during the day
What causes sleep disturbances?
There are many potential causes, such as:
- Stress or anxiety
- Underlying health issues - thyroid, asthma, etc.
- Medications
- Sleep environment - noise, light, uncomfortable bed
- Irregular sleep schedules
- Food and drinks with caffeine
- Alcohol
Managing sleep disturbances
Start with basic
sleep hygiene habits:
- Stick to a regular sleep/wake schedule
- Limit naps during the day
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals before bedtime
- Make your sleep environment cool, dark and quiet
- Limit screen time before bed
If these don't help, talk to your doctor. They may recommend sleep studies, cognitive behavioral therapy, medications or other treatments.
"Struggling with poor sleep? The caring medical providers at Vitality Renewal Clinic offer individualized sleep consultations and access to the latest sleep studies and treatment options. Contact us today to discuss your sleep health!"
When to seek medical advice
See your doctor if you regularly:
- Have difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Don't feel well-rested after sleeping 7-9 hours
- Feel very sleepy or fall asleep during the day
- Snore loudly or pause in breathing during sleep
- Have tingling or twitching feelings in your legs when resting
Untreated sleep disorders can negatively impact your health, safety and quality of life over time. So don't ignore ongoing sleep problems - seek help! Getting good sleep is vital for overall health and wellbeing.
I hope this overview on sleep disturbances gives you a good understanding of this common problem. Let me know if you have any other questions!