Insomnia & Poor Sleep
You know those nights where you lie awake, staring into the darkness, counting those sheep over and over until they themselves fell asleep. Maybe your mind won’t be quiet, or maybe your legs won’t stay still. Each morning is a new struggle and a new level of exhaustion.
Sleep is the time for your body to heal and restore itself. Without proper sleep your health is sure to suffer- Mood, immune system function, and pain levels are all improved with proper sleep. Insomnia is a real problem that affects at least one third of adults at some point.
What is insomnia?
There are two kinds of insomnia:
- Sleep onset insomnia is when you have trouble falling asleep
- Sleep maintenance insomnia is when you fall asleep ok, but you can’t stay asleep.
Some people have both, and both do well with naturopathic treatment. You don’t have to be an insomniac. Either way though we can help!
Sleep onset insomnia
Have you heard of monkey mind? Probably not. Monkey mind is a Buddhist expression that refers to a mind that is unsettled, uncontrollable, and restless. It’s kind of like a hamster running on a wheel. Most people who have trouble falling asleep have a mind that won’t be quiet. Whether you’re replaying events from your day, or thinking ahead to plans for the coming week, your mind just can’t go to sleep no matter how tired you feel.
If it takes you more than half an hour to fall asleep, you’re losing valuable sleep time that may cause you to feel tired for the entire next day.
Naturopathic doctors get to the root cause of what’s making you lie awake, so we can prescribe the proper treatment to turn you into an as-soon-as-your-head-hits-the-pillow kind of person.
Sleep maintenance insomnia
Sleep maintenance insomnia is when you can’t stay asleep through the night. Maybe you wake up several times to use the bathroom, or maybe you notice yourself waking up at the same time each night. Many people have a hard time getting back to sleep after they arise. These lost minutes, or hours, add up and probably play a part in the fatigue you feel during the day.
Other causes of insomnia
Sometimes, your insomnia could be caused by an underlying condition, and naturopathic doctors help you find the root cause of your insomnia. People who have anxiety, depression, or high stress can have a hard time sleeping, and thyroid problems and adrenal gland dysfunction can contribute to altered sleep phases and fatigue. Your insomnia might be a side effect of medications you’re taking, and caffeine can have stimulating effects even hours later, meaning that afternoon cup of coffee might be what’s keeping you up. We know what questions to ask and which lab tests to order to figure out why you’re not sleeping. And we know what treatments work to get you resting well.
How long until I can sleep again?
Some natural therapies work very quickly, and you might even be able to have a good sleep tonight! Naturopathic remedies don’t have the same hangover that sleeping pills give you. Herbs and supplements can be used short-term that will get you sleeping while we work on treating the root cause of your insomnia.
Waking up in the night is frustrating and naturopathic doctors can help you find the right remedy that works for you.
Fall asleep before all the sheep are counted ! Call and Book an appointment now!
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