Sleep disturbances - Harmony Hormone Care

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. Common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome. Insomnia involves struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep. It may be short-term, lasting just a few days or weeks, or chronic, happening at least 3 nights a week for over a month. Sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep due to airway blockage. This results in loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder that causes overwhelming daytime sleepiness and sudden muscle weakness called cataplexy. Lastly, restless legs syndrome leads to uncomfortable tingling or crawling sensations in the legs, especially at night. Sleep disturbances can negatively impact your quality of life. You may feel constantly tired, irritable, or unable to focus during the day. Your work and relationships can suffer. Sleep issues also increase your risk for medical problems like obesity, heart disease, and depression. If you regularly struggle with sleep, talking to your doctor is important. They can help identify any underlying cause and recommend lifestyle changes or treatment options. The expert physicians at Harmony Hormone Care specialize in sleep and hormone issues. Their cutting-edge therapies can help you reclaim restful, restorative sleep so you awake refreshed and ready to thrive. Tips to improve sleep naturally:

• Stick to a regular sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends
• Develop a relaxing pre-bed routine like reading
• Avoid caffeine, large meals, and screens before bedtime
• Make sure your bedroom is cool, quiet, and dark
• Get regular exercise, but not too close to bedtime

Implementing healthy sleep habits can often resolve minor insomnia. But for ongoing or severe sleep problems, your doctor may recommend:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - targets thoughts/behaviors that impact sleep
• Sleep medication - prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) - uses air pressure to keep airways open for sleep apnea
• Light therapy - exposure to bright light helps regulate sleep/wake cycles

If you regularly feel unrested, have loud snoring or breathing issues during sleep, or struggle with overwhelming daytime sleepiness, make an appointment with your healthcare provider right away. They can help determine if an underlying condition is affecting your sleep quality. The expert physicians at Harmony Hormone Care can provide cutting-edge testing and treatments to identify and resolve the root causes of your sleep disturbances, helping you finally get the restorative rest you need.