Sleep Deprivation Is a Serious Issue
Sleep is becoming a serious issue for many people in this day and age. There are so many influences that can affect our nightly rest including stress from physical ailments, family issues and relationships, financial challenges, work related stress, toxicity in the environment and in our bodies, poor diet habits to name a few. Mineral deficiencies can also become a major influence through the biochemistry imbalances that affect the thyroid and iodine production, hormone regulation as well as the entire endocrine system. Stress also causes adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalances that do not allow deep and restful sleep rhythms. Disruptive patterns within the brain can cause poor sleep thus creating digestive disorders due to the normal processing slowdown of waste elimination which occurs through liver, kidney and lymph filtration. Alcohol, drugs, medications, and other toxic substances will disrupt sleep patterns and circadian rhythms that diminish the ability to restore and rejuvenate the body system and brain.
Importance of Sleep
According to the repair and restoration theory of sleep, sleeping is essential for revitalizing and restoring the physiological processes that keep the body and mind healthy and properly functioning. This theory suggests that NREM sleep is important for restoring physiological functions, while REM sleep is essential in restoring mental functions. Support for this theory is provided by research that shows periods of REM sleep increase following periods of sleep deprivation and strenuous physical activity. During sleep, the body also increases its rate of cell division and protein synthesis, further suggesting that repair and restoration occurs during sleeping periods. (http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/)
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless leg syndrome. Other disorders include:
- Parasomnias that are disruptive sleep disorders that can occur during arousals from REM sleep or partial arousals from non-REM sleep. Parasomnias include nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, confusion arousals, and many others.
- Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness.
- Teeth Grinding, medically called Bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis, the teeth can be damaged and other complications can arise, such as jaw muscle discomfort or TMJ Pain.
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders are disruptions in a person’s circadian rhythm — a name given to the “internal body clock” that regulates the (approximately) 24-hour cycle of biological processes in animals and plants.
- Hypersomnia, or excessive sleepiness, is a condition in which a person has trouble staying awake during the day. People who have hypersomnia can fall asleep at any time — for instance, at work or while they are driving.
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) is a sleep disorder characterized by rhythmic movements of the limbs during sleep.
- Shift Work Sleep Disorder is trouble sleeping because you work nights or rotating shifts. You also may have this problem if you have trouble staying awake or alert when you are supposed to work your shift.
- Sleep Paralysis when one feels like they are awake but unable to move? You might have even felt afraid but could not call for help? This condition is called sleep paralysis
Causes for Sleeping Disorders
There are many causes that can be associated with sleep disorders according to the medical establishment and scientific studies.
Poor Sleep Habits is one of the most common problems in our society. We stay up too late and get up too early. We interrupt our sleep with drugs, chemicals, work, and we overstimulate ourselves with late-night activities such as television and food.
Adrenal Fatigue from life stress including work, financial pressure, family issues, environmental conditions, relationships, etc.
Diets that include high intake of simple carbohydrates(sugars), junk food, processed or packaged products, chemical infused packaged foods, smoking, excess fats, no exercise are the major influences that disrupt deep sleep, especially on a long term basis. Poor nutrition from a diet that is high in carbohydrates (sugar) low in protein and low in green foods induces malnutrition. Enzyme deficiencies promote malabsorption of nutrients, and alcoholic beverages work as solvents and diuretics stripping the body of essential nutrients (pharmaceutical drugs e.g., diuretics are used routinely by doctors about the age of 40 as a hypertensive medicine).
Negative or Toxic relationships that create stress can be very disruptive for deep and restful sleep.
Environmental Stress includes excessive noise, poor air and water that create toxic conditions within the body. Work environments that are highly stressful or competitive can tax the endocrine and digestive systems creating the inability to slow down and relax when it is time to rest and sleep. Fluoride and bromide are very toxic agents that create many serious and chronic illnesses and sleep deprivation. (See Test)
Hormonal Imbalances during and after menopause can disrupt the natural sleep and circadian rhythms of women. Low testosterone levels seen in men can influence the ability for the body to drop into deep sleep and thus allowing for the repair and maintenance of the adrenal and prostrate function, especially for men after 50 years of age. (See Iodine Test)
Heavy Metal Toxicity has been shown to create chemical imbalances in the brain which block the repair of the neurons by disrupting the normal function of the cells thus affecting the ability for deep restful sleep. Metals such as lead, iron, mercury, nickel, cadmium (see Toxicity Test) are now being seen as the leading cause for Sleep Disorders, Alzheimer’s, and ADHD, Depression as well as other brain and liver disorders. (See Test)
Chemical Imbalances associated with Psychological disorders. Medications for treatments of physical issues can have side effects that disrupt rest and sleep.
High Altitude and Dehydration can affect the entire bio-system and create duress on many systems of the body and the brain that can block chemical processing and bio-receptivity allowing for rest and sleep.
How Much Sleep Do We Need?
The amount of sleep a person needs depends on many factors, including age. Generally infants require about 14-15 hours a day. Teenagers need about 8.5-9.5 hours on average. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night for the best amount of sleep, although some people require as few as 6 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day. Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual.
Suggestions for Sleep
- Creating a quiet and peaceful environment for rest is essential.
- Not eating at least 2 hours before bedtime so digestion is not active; allows for a deeper sleep
- Meditation, relaxation exercises and peaceful music will slow down the brain processing.
- No phone calls or Television at least 1 hour before bed.
- Natural/Organic Nutacueticals if needed for functions to slow down (see products).
- Clean fresh flowing Air in the room for a deep sleep will support the brain and heart functions.
- Bathing before bed will relax the body and cleanse the bio-electrical field inducing peace and clarity.
- Being in a loving space/gratitude/softness is very helpful for a deep sleep
- Bedding that is comfortable and supportive for the body to relax and allows circulation to flow is important.
- Being willing to change habits and ideas about sleep or lack of, through your investigation and openness to suggestions of change will be vital for your sleep recovery and repair.
If you are having difficulty sleeping, it is essential to investigate the hidden causes that are blocking one of the most important elements to health and wellness of the body and your wellbeing. Our team of experts deals with many clients that have problems with sleep and chronic issues associated with the causes related to sleep disorders. The free test (see Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4je4xgk6iKE) offered on this website will give some insights and clues as to where to begin in your exploration and discovery of the body issues that are blocking your ability to experience deep and reparative sleep. Our Evaluation Form and 90 minute consultation offers an in depth questionnaire and analysis that examines the imbalances and deficiencies in your body system for possible answers to your inquiry and repair.
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Resources:
- http://umm.edu/programs/sleep/health/sleep-disorders
- webmd.com
- Tumorx.com /Dr. Raber/BioChemistry/PhD
- Source: Adult Sleep Disorders | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/programs/sleep/health/sleep-disorders/adult#ixzz3Lvdgc3XB
- http://sleepfoundation.org/
- http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/
