If you are having issues getting a good night of sleep, it could be your physical health that is the culprit. There are a number of health issues that may disrupt your sleep cycles, leaving you feeling lethargic throughout the day. The key is identifying these underlying issues so that you can effectively treat them. Here are five health problems that may be affecting the quality of sleep that you get each night.
1. Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most pervasive health issues across the world. Coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure are two of the most common cardiovascular issues that have been linked to insomnia and other sleep problems.
Individuals with coronary artery disease may experience fluctuations in the body’s natural circadian rhythms that may lead to an irregular heartbeat or chest pain. In the worst-case scenario, this disease can cause a heart attack while sleeping. Congestive heart failure happens when the heart is not able to pump the right amount of blood throughout the body. Extra fluid may then pool around the lungs when you are lying down. This can cause you to wake up frequently throughout the night, preventing you from getting a full night of rest.
2. TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joint as well as the muscles that control the movement of the jaw. Some sleep positions may make this problem even more pronounced. For instance, laying on your side while sleeping without the proper neck and head support can lead to frequent awakenings because of the pain. This is why doctors routinely advise patients with TMJ to sleep on their backs.
To end this issue permanently, you can seek TMJ treatment in Raleigh NC. A health care professional such as Dr. Charles Ferzli can evaluate your symptoms to determine the root cause of the pain. This diagnosis will be followed by a list of available treatments, including options such as physical therapy, medication, decompression appliance therapy, and more. The goal is to eliminate the pain so that you can sleep and live normally.
3. Asthma
It is no surprise that people that suffer from asthma also may experience sleep difficulties. The breathing difficulties associated with asthma may keep you up at night. In addition, those individuals with asthma also may experience frequent bouts of coughing and wheezing.
Complicating the issue further is the fact that asthma symptoms are generally worse at night, constricting the airway even more and raising the risk of asthma attacks. Many asthma sufferers may find that some of the most common medications used to treat this condition also can cause insomnia. If you feel as if your asthma is causing you to lose sleep, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. You do not have to let your asthma disrupt your sleep and your life.
4. Eating Disorders
If you are dealing with an eating disorder, you might have noticed that your sleep is also suffering. Anorexia has been demonstrated to disturb normal sleep patterns because of the malnutrition commonly associated with this disorder. Excessive weight loss can also be a culprit of poor sleep. Some research has shown that anorexics get less REM sleep than those people at a normal weight, translating to more fatigue the following day.
Bulimia is another eating disorder that has been connected to poor sleep. The constant eating binges and purges interfere with your ability to get optimal sleep each night. This is just another reason why you should seek treatment for any type of eating disorder.
5. Diabetes
Frequent swings in blood sugar levels can cause night sweats in diabetics, waking them up from a deep sleep. Going too long without eating can cause these blood sugar levels to drop, leading to sleep disruptions. The need to urinate frequently may also lead to these sleep disruptions.
Likewise, the presence of pre-existing insomnia may raise the risk of developing diabetes, creating a dangerous cycle. This makes it important to be diligent about getting the right amount of sleep each night.
Understanding and treating the potential health issues that may be disrupting your sleep can go a long way in helping you to get the rest that you need.
