Sleep disturbances

What are sleep disturbances?

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

• Insomnia - Difficulty falling or staying asleep. This can involve difficulty falling asleep when first going to bed, waking up frequently during the night, or waking up earlier than desired without being able to fall back asleep.


• 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 urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. Symptoms are worse at night and can significantly disrupt sleep.


• Circadian rhythm disorders - Conditions where the sleep-wake cycle is misaligned with the day-night cycle. This includes advanced sleep phase disorder (falling asleep very early and waking up very early) and delayed sleep phase disorder (difficulty falling asleep before the early morning hours and trouble waking up in the morning).

Sleep disturbances can be caused by a variety of factors, including mental health issues like anxiety and depression, medication side effects, underlying medical conditions like chronic pain or thyroid disorders, etc.

The impacts of sleep disturbances are wide-reaching. Lack of quality sleep negatively affects concentration, productivity, mood, and can even impact long term health. Some effects include:

• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness


• Cognitive dysfunction like issues with memory and focus


• Increased irritability, anxiety and depression


• Higher risk of illness and chronic diseases over time

If you suspect you may have a sleep disorder, it's important to talk to your doctor. They can help diagnose the cause of your sleep issues and suggest targeted treatment options. Lifestyle changes like maintaining a regular sleep-wake schedule, limiting blue light exposure before bedtime, avoiding stimulants in the evening, and managing stress levels can also help improve sleep quality for some individuals.

At Optimal Health Hormone Clinic, we offer comprehensive lab testing that evaluates hormone levels like cortisol that can impact sleep and circadian rhythms when imbalanced. Our clinicians specialize in developing customized treatment plans involving hormone optimization to help patients achieve healthy, restful sleep. Contact us today to learn more!