We take sleep for granted.  I never expected that it would be a problem once I hit menopause.  No one ever told me.  Many of the patients in our clinic have sleep problems as well.  Most of them think that it is a sign of aging and learn to deal.  They accept a lower standard of living, as I did.  But you don’t have to!  There are answers to this widespread problem.  

I now know that the reasons for sleeplessness can be addressed and eliminated.  The main cause is STRESS.  Stressors are everything from a hard day at work, missing a meal, caffeine and sugar, to family and relationship problems and hormone imbalance.  Your adrenal glands control stress and effect energy, weight gain, blood sugar, inflammation, infection, and mental and emotional balance. 

The Science of Stress and Sleep
Science has established the link between a stressful day and a restless night.  Studies are ongoing about the exact ways that stress affects sleep. A new study suggests that stress may disrupt the nervous system’s natural rhythms. “Stressed sleepers experience more arousal during sleep”, Martica Hall, Ph.D. of the University of Pittsburgh writes in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine.

When the body stress response system is activated, the cortisol and ACTH hormones are increased and a whole cascade of events occurs in your hormone system.  This leads to arousal and sleeplessness.  A study published in the August 2001issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, suggests that a consistent, 24-hour hyper-arousal of the stress response system leads to chronic insomnia, not just a simple loss of sleep. With simple sleep loss, stress hormones are often not elevated, but with insomniacs, they are.  Prolonged activation is a risk factor for both psychological and physiological problems.

Is it any wonder that in our “stressed out” society, we would have serious sleep problems resulting in fatigue, anxiety, and depression?  The more prolonged, the more problems.   
And they go in cycles.  What triggered what?  Over-exercise, sleep apnea, pain, fibromyalgia, menopause, diabetes, hypoglycemia, acid reflux, allergies.  These can all be treated or eliminated.  Logic tells us that decreasing these stressors not only improves quality of sleep, but also prevents medical and psychological disturbances that result.

Normal Sleep
What is normal sleep? You should be asleep within 15 minutes of your head touching the pillow. Over the next 8 hours, cycles should include various stages including REM sleep or regenerative sleep. Chronic lack of REM (rapid eye movement) can cause mental fatigue, memory loss, anxiety and depression.  Waking up in the middle of the night due to hunger, low blood sugar, or to urinate disrupts restorative sleep. You should wake up without an alarm clock and feel rested.  Fatigue and not being rested upon awakening is your body’s way of telling you that your sleep was not “successful” or regenerative.   

Join the Ranks of the Rested
Start with assessing your sleep environment and pre-bed habits. Is it dark and quiet enough? Are the mattress and room temperature comfortable?  Did you eat ice cream or drink wine in the evening?  How much water did you drink before bed?  Are you watching too many “cop shows”? Are your pre-bed activities too stimulating?  The answer to any health problem is always multi-factored.  Ask yourself these questions.

What we’ve found helpful are two types of testing:

Checking your stress hormones and neurotransmitters may reveal hidden problems with energy, metabolism, as well as chemical imbalances.  This information is like gold.  It is so valuable for creating successful, individualized programs.    

Individual treatments are what works.  They consist of dietary changes, pertinent nutritional supplements and very effective natural hormone and nutrient creams.  So get your levels tested and join the ranks of the rested. 

Dr. Laura Thompson, Family Nutritionist and Naturopathic Endocrinologist has a nationwide practice by phone, and locally in Carlsbad, California. Call for in-home testing info, 800-608-5602.  

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products suggested, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please check with your health care practitioner for your best health options.