Sleep Issues & Insomnia

A recent survey found most people sleep less than six hours each night. Seventy-five percent of people surveyed also experience sleep difficulties at least a few nights per week. Chronic sleep loss or insomnia may lead to health issues such as weight gain or high blood pressure.

Contact us at (317) 344-9840 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Melanie in Indianapolis or via virtual consultation — and start your path to healing today.

Reasons to Get Enough Sleep

According to the Harvard Women’s Health Watch, there are many reasons it’s imperative to get enough sleep each day:

  • Learning and Memory

Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. If you don’t get enough sleep, your ability to understand and retain information decreases.

  • Metabolism and Weight

Chronic sleep deprivation affects the way our body processes and stores carbohydrates and regulates hormone levels, which may cause weight gain.

  • Mood

 

 

Sleep loss can result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, moodiness, and other negative moods.

  • Cardiovascular Health

 

 

Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.

  • Disease

Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

At Dragonfly 360, your health and positive well-being are our primary concern. Dr. Melanie MacLaren can help with a wide variety of health issues — including sleep loss.
health issues sleep insomnia

The Four Stages of Sleep

1.

Stage 1: Light sleep. One drifts in and out and can be awakened without difficulty.

2.

Stage 2: Light sleep. The heart rate slows and the body temperature decreases. At this point, the body prepares to enter deep sleep.

3.

Stage 3: Deep sleep. These stages are known as slow-wave, or delta, sleep. If aroused from sleep during these stages, a person may feel disoriented for a few minutes. During these stages the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system.

4.

Stage 4: REM sleep. Intense dreaming occurs during REM sleep as a result of heightened brain activity. Voluntary muscles become paralyzed during this stage.

Common Causes of Poor Sleep

Nutritional Deficiencies

Consuming a poor diet can affect our sleep. Nutrient deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins can have a negative impact on our sleep.

Stress and Anxiety

According to the Stress and Anxiety Disorder Survey by Anxiety Disorders Association of America, “seven out of ten adults in the United States say they experience stress or anxiety daily, and seven out of ten of these adults say they have trouble sleeping.”

Caffeine and Drugs

Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, and drugs, such as diet pills and decongestants, stimulate some parts of the brain and may cause insomnia, or an inability to sleep. Many antidepressants suppress REM sleep.

Cigarette Smoke

Heavy smokers often sleep very lightly and have reduced amounts of REM sleep. They also tend to wake up after 3 or 4 hours of sleep due to nicotine withdrawal.

Alcohol

Many people who suffer from insomnia try to solve the problem with alcohol – the so-called night cap. While alcohol does help people fall into light sleep, it also robs them of REM and the deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Instead, it keeps them in the lighter stages of sleep, from which they can be easily awakened.

Holistic Offerings for Better Sleep

Naturopathic treatment is about finding the underlying cause of discomfort and supporting the body naturally through the use of nutrition, natural remedies, and stress management techniques:

Vitamins, herbal and homeopathic remedies

With a detailed intake of symptoms herbal and homeopathic remedies can be individualized. With Micronutrient Lab Testing vitamin deficiencies can be determined that may be impacting sleep.

NAET

Allergies or food sensitivities may be the cause of insomnia due to high histamines and the fact that the nervous system is the first to be triggered by an allergen. This may lead to anxiety and trouble quieting the mind. NAET calms the nervous system and lowers histamine leading to a quieter mind and deeper sleep.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Dr. Melanie can teach you techniques that you can use anywhere to help manage stress, relax, and promote restful sleep.

Dragonfly 360 Blog

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Contact Dr. Melanie Today

At Dragonfly 360, Dr. Melanie offers naturopathic healing solutions for a variety of health issues. We can help you to better manage your endocrine system, adrenal fatigue, insulin resistance, thyroid imbalances, hormone imbalances, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, sleep issues, weight loss, allergies, and more. Call (317) 344-9840 if you live in Indianapolis, Carmel, nearby areas, or would like to schedule a virtual appointment. You deserve relief — Dr. Melanie can help you get on the path to healing.

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