What is Sleep Disturbances?
Sleep Disturbance is anytime you break the natural sleep cycle with a period of being awake. Sometimes you may be aware of it and others you may believe you slept soundly when in fact you may have experience many times throughout the night. Everyone experience sleep disturbance. It happens. It is a problem when it becomes continual and chronic affecting your quality of much-needed rest. There are over 40 different types of sleep disorders and are all categorized in three areas:
- Lack of sleep
- Disturbed sleep
- Excessive sleep
Lack of Sleep and Sleep disturbances can go hand in hand. Lack of Sleep leans more to the inability to fall asleep such as insomnia whereas Disturbed Sleep is the lack of maintaining a consistent and constant sleep period. Some people experience both together. Sleep Disturbance can occur throughout the night without you even knowing it when you only partially wake or momentarily wake to adjust your position for example. Disturbance of Sleep can be caused by many different problems.
Disturbance of Sleep can be caused by many different problems such as:
- Nightmares
- Night Sweating
- Sleep Walking
- Sleep Talking
- Need to go to the restroom
- Stress, Anxiety and Worry – Overactive Mind “Chatter”
- Allergies and Respiratory Problems
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Chronic Pain
- Muscle Stiffness
- Persistent Headaches
- Inadequate Matress or Pillow Support
The lack of sleep can have a negative impact on energy, mood, concentration, and overall health.
In some cases, sleep disorders can be a symptom of another medical or mental health condition. These sleeping problems may eventually go away once treatment is obtained for the underlying cause. When sleep disorders aren’t caused by another condition, treatment normally involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
There are stages in your sleep that your body must go through to achieve a good night sleep, in fact there are 5. This cycles over and over throughout the night.
Stage 1 – Light sleep and relaxation of the muscles. ( can wake up)
Stage 2 – Activity in the brain slows and eye movement stops.
Stage 3 – Brains waves become slow (delta waves) and small quick waves occur.
Stage 4 – Brains waves are all delta wave.
Stage 5 – (REM) Rapid Eye Movement – dreams occur.
This usually takes about an hour and a half to complete 1 cycle. Sleep is needed for your body to function properly, so take care of yourself and do what it takes to achieve a good night sleep.
Thinking that it will just go away is a common mistake. The cause of chronic sleep disturbances is complex and often require a multi-approach that might include:
- Homeopathic herbal remedies
- Aromatherapy
- Dietary supplements
- Prescription and Over-the-Counter drug evaluation consultation
- Thyroid Function testing and therapies
- Hormone testing and therapies
- Nutritional Counseling
- Acupuncture
- Massage Therapy
- Mental and/or Family Counseling
- Stress Management Guidance
- Increase Physical and Relaxation Activities
- Yoga
- Run, Jog, any physical activity you enjoy that gets the body moving
- Meditation
- Mattress and pillow support
