On any given night, insomnia plagues more than one quarter of the U.S. population, with 10 percent experiencing chronic insomnia.(1) Tossing and turning all night not only depletes your energy, mood and quality of life, it is also a major contributor to chronic health issues.
Research has shown that one week of disturbed sleep can lead to changes in the expression of hundreds of genes.(2) Among the genes affected were those known to be involved with circadian rhythms, stress, how the body regulates itself while it sleeps, and metabolism.(2) Common problems and diseases that may arise from insomnia include diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, poor immune function, anxiety and obesity.(2) This research may provide insight into the development, treatment and prevention of chronic disease.
Naturopathic medicine prides itself on six guiding principles. One of these being “identify and treat the cause.” Sleep disturbance can be caused by several factors, the most common being stress, alcohol, caffeine, medication, sedentary lifestyle, overactive thyroid, reflux and electrolyte imbalance. Once the cause of insomnia is identified, the naturopathic doctor can develop a treatment plan to restore restful sleep.
Naturopathic tips for better sleep:
• Limit caffeine to before 2 p.m.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Avoid stimulating TV or games prior to bed
• Reserve your bed for sleep and sex only
• Sleep in a room that is completely dark and set to a comfortable temperature
• Write down any reoccurring thoughts that keep you up
• Exercise regularly, but not before bedtime
• Practice meditation
Getting good quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health.
Source: Inner Source Health via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lopatto, E. “Sleep Loss Alters Genes, Raises Disease Risk. Bloomberg News, 2013.
For more information, call Inner Source Health, in Huntington, at 631-421-1848 or visit InnerSourceHealth.com. See ad on page 17.
