The most common reasons why people can’t sleep

Let’s get the series on sleep going by talking about the three most common problems associated with not sleeping well. Getting a good night’s sleep is important. It’s really important. In fact, it’s as important to good health as diet and exercise. It’s as vital as food and water, yet well over 30 percent of the people in America have a problem getting enough sleep. That’s really a huge number and it’s probably caused mainly by a lifestyle full of stress and the wrong foods. In Chinese Medicine, difficultly sleeping is the result of an imbalance in the energy systems of the body… that will be the subject of another post.

Sleep problems make you always feel tired and over time will begin to have a negative impact in all areas of your life. This can be very serious because sleep is your body’s natural way to recuperate and repair itself. Over time, lack of sleep can result in problems like aches, vision problems, depression, dizziness, hallucinations,  tremors, decreased immune system functioning, high blood pressure, weight gain, Type II diabetes, and even psychosis… and one of the major problems is that conditions arising from lack of sleep is often misdiagnosed as some other condition. In any case, the bottom line is that if you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be enjoying your world to the fullest.

The three most common problems resulting in lack of sleep are insomnia, snoring, and sleep apnea.

Insomnia

Insomnia a relatively common sleep disorder and is characterized by difficulty getting to sleep and/or staying asleep. It’s really a signal that something is out of whack in your body… and that really makes sense when you think of the energy systems in the body being out of balance.  Insomnia can be the result of stress, mental activity, stimulants, muscle aches, indigestion, breathing problems, pain, depression, and even some medications. It can appear at any time in anyone, but is most common in women. It tends to appear later in life as opposed to the under 20 crowd.  

The medication approach to insomnia… not the best first choice

Prescription and over the counter medications are the most common way that insomnia is treated, and the rate of increase in prescriptions is an indication that the problem is on the rise. Medco has determined that the use of sleeping medications increased by 128% between 2000 and 2005 in the adult population between 20 and 44. Among the most popular sleep medications is Ambien, and I’ll use it as an example of sleep medications in general. Ambien may [or may not.. it’s not a sure thing] help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and reduce the number of times you wake up during the night. It should be limited to short-term use – no longer than 2 weeks.  Though seemingly effective, Ambien also has some drawbacks. Patients report muddled thinking, feelings of euphoria,  strange dreams, hallucinations, memory loss, and other very negative side effects. I’ve personally seen people experiencing these side effects and they are quite serious, particularly in the elderly. In fact, I know of one 90 year old woman who was diagnosed with dementia from the side effects of Ambien. You can get a complete picture of this drug by reading the comments on WebMD. Many other sleeping medications have similar problems.

If you are experiencing insomnia then it is clear that, prescription medication is not the approach that should be taken first. Sleeping medications may help you getting to sleep, but you can build up a tolerance to them so that you have to increase dosage to achieve results… and the side effects become worse. In future posts you’ll read about alternative approaches that you can take.

Snoring

Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat. That causes the tissues –namely the uvula and soft palate — to vibrate as you breathe and make those unpleasant sounds. It is far more common in men than women. While snoring can indicate the more serious problem of sleep apnea, it is typically not considered a medical problem by itself. In fact, the greatest problem with snoring is often the effect it has on relationships because it keeps sleeping partners awake. There are several effective approaches to reduce snoring. Lose weight if you are overweight. Quit smoking. Sleep on your side instead of your back. Avoid alcohol and medications like sedatives before bed. Use nose strips. Medication is generally not prescribed for snoring.

Sleep Apnea… it’s serious

Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is serious condition that can take on the appearance of snoring. People with sleep apnea often stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. It can happen once every 10 to 12 minutes or as frequently as about once per minute… and the breathing stops can take place for a fairly long time. It’s really scary to see someone stop breathing for 30 seconds to a minute and then restart with a body jerk and a loud snoring-like gasp. So, if your sleep partner complains of snoring then you should ask them to notice if you stop breathing or if you gasp or choke. I suggest you get a small audio recorder and have your partner record you when you sleep. Listening to it will shock the willies out of you and spur you on to take action… and you need to.

The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. That’s where there’s complete or partial blockage of the upper airway while you sleep. It increases the risk for high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, and stroke. See what I mean about taking it seriously!  It can appear in men, women, and even children.

Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea

Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include a range of options from simple changes in behavior to surgery. If you are overweight, drop the extra weight. Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Use pillows or other things to help you sleep on your side instead of your back. Nasal strips can also help. When the condition is more serious and those measure don’t help, then it’s time to see a health care professional.  CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is often used to force air through the nose and/or mouth.  Still more serious cases require facial surgery… but there are other options including Chinese acupuncture and herbal treatments. More in future posts.

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