Sleep disturbances - Hormone Harmony Clinic

What are sleep disturbances?

Sleep disturbances encompass a wide range of issues that can negatively impact the quality, timing, and amount of sleep. Some common types of sleep disturbances include:

• Insomnia - Difficulty falling or staying asleep. This can involve trouble getting to sleep at night or waking up frequently during the night.
• Sleep apnea - A condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This leads to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
• Restless leg syndrome - An overwhelming urge to move the legs when lying down and trying to sleep. This leads to difficulty falling asleep.
• Circadian rhythm disorders - When your natural circadian rhythm gets disrupted, leading to trouble sleeping during typical sleep times.

Sleep disturbances can have major effects on your daily life. Short-term issues with sleep can make you feel groggy and irritable the next day. But over the long run, chronic sleep disturbances take a real toll and have been linked to:

• Impaired concentration and productivity
• Increased errors and accidents
• Weight gain and increased disease risk
• Mood disorders like depression
• Decreased quality of life

If you're experiencing ongoing issues with disrupted sleep, it's important to talk to your doctor. They can help identify underlying causes and recommend tailored treatments to help restore healthy sleep.

Getting enough quality sleep is hugely important for both physical and mental health. Be proactive and seek help if you're regularly dealing with sleep disturbances - your nights (and days) will be so much better. Let me know if you have any other questions!