A good night’s sleep can set the tone for a productive day, but sometimes the recommended eight hours in bed are not enough to wake up feeling well-rested. If strategies such as avoiding caffeine, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and exercising frequently have not been helping, low sleep quality may be the result of an underlying medical health condition that needs to be addressed.
Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include fluctuating blood sugar and an increased need to urinate. As blood sugar spikes and crashes during sleep, you may suddenly feel awake or come out of deep REM sleep. Fluctuations in blood sugar can also affect temperature regulation, so they may result in night sweats. Getting up in the middle of the night to urinate can disrupt sleep patterns, as continuous sleep is much more effective than interrupted sleep no matter how many cumulative hours you sleep for.
Depression
People with depression are rarely able to follow regular sleep patterns. The intensity of the negative emotions often results in sleeping either too much or too little. Depression is also frequently linked to anxiety, which can lead to racing thoughts that make it hard to fall asleep or experience restful sleep. Talk to a therapist for medication for your depression or anxiety and follow techniques for managing your mental health to begin having restful nights again.
Cardiovascular Conditions
Congestive heart failure makes it difficult for the heart to pump enough blood and oxygen to all parts of your body. This may lead to discomfort or difficulty breathing, as improper circulation while lying down can result in an accumulation of fluid around your lungs. In this situation, you are unlikely to be relaxed enough to fall asleep or stay asleep. Coronary artery disease can also impact sleep, as it may result in chest pain or arrhythmia that can disrupt your sleep cycle.
Thyroid Disorders
Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, makes it more difficult for the body to convert food to energy. As a result, hypothyroidism can make you tired no matter how much you sleep. It can also reduce the quality of your sleep. An overactive thyroid can negatively impact your sleep as well. Hyperthyroidism may speed your metabolism up so much that you struggle to regulate your temperature, resulting in uncomfortable night sweats.
Stress
Many people these days suffer from chronic stress. This can be associated with a wide range of issues, including sleep. There are many environmental and health factors that can be creating excessive stress in your day to day life. If your stress is minor, your insomnia will most likely go away on its own. However, if your stress is consuming you, look for stress management techniques. Start getting into yoga and meditation. You might benefit from seeing a counselor and talking through your stressors.
Chronic Pain
Several health issues can result in chronic pain. Other times you might not even know what the source of your chronic pain is. Nonetheless, this can end up disrupting your sleep. You might wake up frequently in the middle of the night with pain flare ups. If you haven’t already, visit your doctor to make sure your pain isn’t the sign of something more serious. Get on pain medication if necessary to help regulate your sleep cycle.
Many medical health problems can lead to insomnia or decreased sleep quality, making it impossible to get enough rest even with healthy habits. If you’re feeling tired every day, consulting a doctor or sleep apnea center can help you diagnose and treat these problems so that you can get the rest you need for a happy, productive day.
