Having a sleepless night here and there is likely nothing to worry about but if your sleep disturbances persist you need to determine whether there are underlying causes. Do you have these common triggers that might be contributing to your sleepless nights?
Are these sleep stealers keeping you up at night?
Jet lag — heading from one coast to another and crossing time zones throws off your circadian rhythms and leads to a bad night’s sleep. It can take your body up to three days to adjust to a new time zone and different light/dark schedules.
Shift work – working days, nights and midnights like doctors, sleep technicians or other shift workers do, throws off your body’s natural sleep rhythms and makes it hard to get a restful night’s sleep. Individuals who work rotating shifts have lower levels of serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that helps regulate sleep
Chronic pain – A recent study shows that 15% of Americans suffer chronic pain and two thirds of them reported those lead to sleep problems. Back pain, headaches and join problems were the main causes of pain-related sleep loss.
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Medical illnesses – Sleep difficulties can surface along with underlying medical conditions. Lung disease or diabetes can lead to sleep problems.
Medications – Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can lead to sleepless nights. If you find that sleep difficulties coincide with changes in your medication, ask your doctor if you can take it at a time other than bedtime.
Stress and mental illness — Insomnia is a symptom and a cause of depression and anxiety. Because your brain uses the same neurotransmitters for sleep and mood, it’s often hard to know which starts first. Stressful situations or events can often be the start of insomnia that can become a long-term problem.
Snoring — It’s estimated that 30 to 50% of all Americans snore, some without consequence, but it can be a symptom of sleep apnea which in some cases is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Changes in your hormones — PMS, menopause, menstruation, and pregnancy are some of the primary sources of sleep problems among women. Hot flashes, tender breasts, and frequent urination all interrupt regular sleep patterns. According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 40% of perimenopausal women have sleep problems.
Since 2002, Valley Sleep Center, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, has provided Arizona with diagnostic sleep disorder testing in a home-like atmosphere, ensuring a comfortable, relaxing experience for patients. Their Board Certified Sleep Medicine Specialists consist of experienced and knowledgeable physicians who provide expert advice across a multitude of sleep related disorders including insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, hypertension, sleepwalking, and pediatric sleep problems. They accept most insurance plans as well as Medicare. For more information contact Lauri Leadley at 480-830-3900; https://valleysleepcenter.com
