Sleep Disorder

Deep sleep is crucial for maintaining health and overall well-being. If you aren't sleeping well, your body can't heal properly, which affects your mood and immunity. Not enough sleep can lead to stress-related symptoms and more frequent and severe herpes outbreaks. 

 

 

Symptoms of Sleep Disorder

 

  • Feeling cold and unable to get warm. 
  • Never feeling rested, fully energized, or motivated.
  • Waking during the night with anxiety or a rapid heartbeat. 
  • Lacking interest in social events or multiple relationships
  • Having to get up 2-3 times per night to go to the bathroom or shake off anxiety
  • Waking with a deep ache in your head, which turns into a headache during the day
  • Low tolerance to stress of any kind, which may include sensitivities to noise, smells, or light
  • Pain, sometimes severe, in your joints and muscles that unexplainably comes and goes. 
  • Your thoughts and feelings no longer align with your decisions and actions. 
  • Feeling disconnected from the world, thinking crazy thoughts, or wanting to scream
  • Not interested in sex or being unable to enjoy it due to tiredness.
  • Being irritable and hostile in relationships and feeling like a failure
  • Unable to develop or retain muscle mass through exercise
  • Inability to relax legs or keep from moving them at rest. 
  • Canceling 'life' because you don't have the energy
  • Falling asleep at inappropriate times 

 

 

Possible Causes of Sleep Disorder (in General)

 

 

 

Spiritual/Psychological causes of Sleep Disorder: A lack of discipline or over-indulgence in some areas.

 

 

The Three Types of Sleep Apnea

 

The first and most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is caused by a blocked airway. You can remedy this by losing weight or using a device that helps you breathe more effectively and receive enough oxygen. In the case of sleep-disordered breathing, sleep apnea is but one, characterized by snoring caused by an obstruction in the upper airway. This obstruction is often caused by a collapsed airway resulting from a sleep position and a heavy neck, leading to snoring. The nerves and muscles that keep the airway open during the day may be less active at night. A weight loss of only 10% of the individual's body weight can sometimes eliminate apnea. Emotions or feelings are not believed to cause this type of sleep apnea, as it can be relieved with devices.

 

The second type of sleep apnea is Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), whereby the mechanism (a group of neurons in the brain) that regulates breathing has temporarily failed. The lungs receive a delayed signal from the brain to breathe. Continuous oxygen deprivation can harm the whole body, especially the heart. Sleep apnea may also be caused by a fear response and the contraction of muscles during sleep, similar to the tensing of muscles when frightened. Problems not worked out in waking life can surface in your sleep. Pain during sleep may also cause this fear response. The glitch causing Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) may not be in the brain but elsewhere in the Central Nervous System (the spine). Those with Central Sleep Apnea may also have tinnitus problems (ringing and noise heard in the ears). 

 

The third type of sleep apnea combines the first two. 

 

 

Restless Leg Syndrome

 

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Ekbom's Syndrome, is characterized by disturbing sensations in the legs, which prevent rest, falling asleep, or staying asleep due to leg or foot disturbances. There is a compelling urge to move the legs to alleviate a tingling, crawling, nagging, pins-and-needles, prickling, or pulling sensation. Only moving the leg or foot offers temporary relief. During sleep, the legs may jerk, kick, or move in a bicycling motion. These movements, also known as periodic limb movements, are typically symptoms of a different disorder but are also common in individuals with Restless Leg Syndrome. Individuals with Restless Leg Syndrome often experience fatigue and struggle to maintain concentration and focus throughout the day.

 

Restless Leg Syndrome is linked to autoimmune disorders like Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. With RSD, the skin, muscles, and bones near the area of nerve damage begin to show signs of discoloration, hair loss, and extreme sensitivity. RSD is an autoimmune disorder. Restless Leg Syndrome is often genetic. During pregnancy, women sometimes experience Restless Leg Syndrome. It disappears once the child is born.

 

A coating over nerve cells called the myelin sheath protects neurons (nerves) and is quite like the plastic coating found on electrical wires. This coating prevents signal interference in the nervous system and is made primarily of fats (lipids). If these lipids are deformed, the sheath becomes defective and can develop cracks and holes. It is of no use. Certain foods and supplements can help repair the myelin sheath and prevent the pain and discomfort associated with Restless Leg Syndrome and peripheral neuropathy.

 

 

Possible Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome 

 

  • RLS may be associated with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.
  • RLS may also result from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affecting the lower back and legs.
  • Prolonged stress may aggravate RLS and also be the cause of RLS. 
  • Constant walking or standing for long periods
  • Attention Deficit Disorder has also been associated with RLS.
  • One of the #1 causes of RLS is an imbalance of iron in the body.

 

Other issues related to RSD, but not always, are nerve damage, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes, Anemia, kidney disease or failure with dialysis, Parkinson's Disease, Hypoglycemia, spinal disk problems, consumption of fake dietary sweeteners, stimulants (caffeine, nicotine), drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational), thyroid disorders, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), alcohol abuse, chemotherapy (a side effect of) and Adrenal Burnout Syndrome.

 

 

Spiritual/Psychological causes of Restless Leg Syndrome: Self-punishment over guilt issues. Often, this occurs in conjunction with unresolved communication issues. 

 

 

What Medical Doctors Are Doing for RLS

 

Your doctor can order blood tests that will rule out other conditions, order a polysomnography test, record leg movement while you are sleeping, and prescribe medication when necessary. There are three classes of medicines for Restless Leg Syndrome.

 

Dopaminergic drugs (approved by the FDA), namely Pramipexole and Ropinirole, reduce sensory symptoms and the urge to move. These drugs cause augmentation in one-third to one-half of all patients, meaning the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome begin to appear earlier in the day when used over a long-term period. Anti-seizure medications, such as Gabapentin and Pregabalin (not approved by the FDA for Restless Leg Syndrome, but for nerve pain), appear to reduce or eliminate Restless Leg Syndrome effectively but have many side effects. Opiates (narcotic pain medication), used in low doses, are incredibly effective for relieving Restless Leg Syndrome and improving sleep. There is not much evidence of abuse of these medications by the patients using them. 

 

 

Other Sleep Disorders

 

There are several sleep disorders, and it is possible to suffer from more than one.

 

While trying to fall asleep, myoclonic jerks can be a real nuisance and scary. These jerks are caused by tight muscles trying to relax as you go to sleep, sleeping in uncomfortable positions, and being over-tired. These muscle jerks range from slight twitches and jerks (hypnic jerks) to jumping clean off the mattress (a massive hypnagogic jerk). Sometimes, jaw muscles can jerk and cause you to bite your tongue or the inside of your cheeks (a lousy way to wake up). In response to stress, we often tense our shoulders, clench our jaws, and contract our stomachs, sometimes for hours on end. When muscles relax as we fall asleep, the brain perceives us as falling and alerts us. Sleep jerks are the result. 

 

Loud bangs or flashes of white light in your head as you drift off to sleep are electrical shocks caused by being over-tired. They can occur alone or in combination with myoclonic jerks, which can signify neurological problems but are usually signs of magnesium or calcium deficiency or stress-related tension. Stress management techniques and nutritional therapies may control these excessive bursts of brain activity. You should take calcium citrate and magnesium together to calm the muscles, which build up lactic acid when under stress, overeating sugar, and exercising too little. 

 

Hypopnea is a reduction in airflow, which can be caused by Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). Although not classified as sleep apnea, it still produces symptoms similar to those of sleep apnea. This apnea is usually only present when the person sleeps on their back.

 

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or return to sleep if awakened too early. There may be frequent nighttime awakenings. It is related to Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and is more common in women. Insomnia is common during episodes of hormonal fluctuation. Some women report waking up after falling asleep for a particular amount of time, such as one to three hours afterward. They say it is like clockwork. Cycling hormones may be responsible.

 

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration is a condition characterized by fluctuations between deep breathing and apnea, resulting from the failure of the breathing control system in the brain. Brain sensors that register and measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood may be ineffective or injured, which may be related to Central Sleep Apnea. 

 

Nocturia is the need for sudden or frequent urination at night. It may be a symptom of sleep apnea, as a hormone released during oxygen deprivation causes this. The feeling of having to go is so great that it can cause panic attacks. It may even take a while to get back to sleep after one of these episodes. For those with incontinence, it can spell disaster.

 

Seasonal Affective Syndrome (SAD) is often either confused with or is an overlapping symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and typically bothers people during the winter months when there is not much exposure to sunlight, especially in the Northwest, where people can feel tired, sad, and depressed during the colder months of the year. 

 

 

Important Sleep Disorder Considerations

 

When tired, judgment and focus are impaired, and you become irritable, sad, and hypersensitive.

 

If you get too little sleep, the production of growth hormones declines, and your hormones become imbalanced. Your hormone balance during the hours you are sleeping.

 

With insufficient sleep, your immune system becomes taxed and provides less resistance to viruses, including the herpes virus. Also, Diabetes may develop due to a drop in insulin response. 

 

Sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain as nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein) don't break down in the body as they should.

 

While sleeping, tiny tears in your body's muscles are repairing themselves. Without sleep, your body cannot repair itself, which leads to muscle wasting, chronic pain, and Depression. 

 

Sleep disorders can cause an overall reduction of oxygen in the blood during sleep, which can be a severe problem leading to high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, heart attack, strokes, and accidents due to tiredness. Not taking enough oxygen while sleeping doesn't just refer to a deficiency in the lungs, even though this is true enough while you are not breathing, but to an oxygen deficiency in your body's cells. Oxygen deficiency in cells causes mitochondrial dysfunction. If you have a breathing-related sleep disorder, please see your doctor for a simple oxygen test (you'll have a clothespin-like device clipped to your pointer finger for a few seconds to record your oxygen levels), which is good advice for anyone who finds themselves yawning all day long. Yawning is the body's way of increasing oxygen. You can purchase a small device to check yours at home. 

 

Lactic acid is a substance that forms in the body due to inadequate oxygen levels. Lactic acid causes muscle pain. High levels of lactic acid disrupt pH balance. Another cause of an overabundance of lactic acid is consuming too much sugar and exercising too little. To improve pH balance and oxygen flow, engage in regular physical activity, eat whole foods, manage stress, drink plenty of fresh, pure water, breathe deeply, and minimize toxins in your environment. Doing these things will help to balance your pH and improve your pain and sleep. 

 

80% of all those with Fibromyalgia Syndrome have sleep disorders. Those with FS have deficiencies in cellular oxygen and energy. Without enough oxygen in your cells, it is easy for the body to become too acidic, leading to pain and disease. It is unclear what came first, the FS or the sleep disorder. Both disorders show mineral deficiencies. Be sure to obtain enough minerals in your diet.

 

Sleep apnea can affect and impair the part of the nervous system that controls blood sugar absorption. If you have sleep apnea, try eliminating sugar from your diet as much as possible. I know that it is easier said than done, but sugar is a "flight, fight, or freeze" food and increases the stress response, causing anxiety. If you regularly wake up often at night, you are likely 25% less sensitive to insulin, a condition that is a precursor to Diabetes. If you feel shaky, confused, and faint after not getting a good night's sleep, it may have more to do with your blood sugar than you realize. Studies show that blood sugar levels fluctuate more during poor sleep than when sleeping well. Poor sleep often leads to next-day snacking as a way to maintain blood sugar levels.

Holistic Alternatives for Sleep Disorders

For Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

 

  • Keep a year-round tan. Tanning beds can help alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). There are tanning beds that don't put you at risk for skin Cancer, but you won't find them in run-of-the-mill salons.

 

  • When temperatures rise, the sun is strong enough to help your body produce your vitamin D requirements, provided you get 15 minutes of sun at least three times each week. Better yet, spend 15 minutes sitting in the early morning or evening sun each day. Even in winter, light does your body good. However, you can supplement vitamin D-3 during the colder months when the sun is not close enough to the Earth to be beneficial in helping our bodies produce vitamin D. Taking K-2 with D increases vitamin D's ability to maintain healthy bones. You'll find vitamin D and K-2 combined in products. Take D-3 with K-2 as directed on the product label or as your doctor advises. Do not supplement K-2 if you have a blood disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications. It could interfere with your blood's ability to clot. 

 

 

 

For Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

 

  • Daily moderate exercise (walking or stretching) can help calm the restlessness in your legs.  

 

  • Apply ice packs or a heating pad as needed. Try one to see if it works better for you. Or use alternating warm and cold water treatments. 

 

  • Take a 20-minute warm bath before going to bed.

 

  • Sit properly. Don't sit in positions that cause excess tension and aggravate your legs, such as where your legs are dangling or crossed with one leg over the other for an extended period. Try to sit so that circulation is not impaired or balanced in both legs, without one leg taking the rap for the other.

 

  • Chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapies may promote better rest. Self-massage can work just as well in this case.

 

  • Keep your blood sugar level by reducing refined sugar and high-sugar fruits. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy may be related to Diabetes or hypoglycemia.

 

 

  • Folic acid, vitamins B1, B6, B12, and amino acids are essential for healthy nerve function. Folic acid deficiency and Restless Leg Syndrome are linked during pregnancy. However, if you have the MTHFR Gene Mutation, avoid folic acid and take methyl folate instead. 

 

  • Taking 1000 mg of calcium with 250 mg of magnesium an hour or two before bedtime may help you relax and sleep better. Low magnesium levels have been linked to Restless Leg Syndrome. Low magnesium is also connected to Fibromyalgia Syndrome, often overlapping with Restless Leg Syndrome. Ensure you get 500-1000 mg of magnesium daily, which may also eliminate muscle jerks and twitches. If you also suffer from IBS, take magnesium lactate.

 

  • Vitamin E, iron, and zinc are beneficial nutrients for relieving sleeping issues. A deficiency or excess of iron is a significant cause of RLS. Your blood tests may appear to be within the normal range. However, your Iron level can still be too low or too high within the normal range. 

 

  • Take prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome. Restless Leg Syndrome is related to inflammation. One of the leading causes of inflammation is gut dysbiosis (unbalanced gut bacteria). However, only certain ones are suitable if you have a histamine intolerance. I reveal the correct ones here. Also, if you have a problem with mast cells or IBS, do not consume fermented food items.