What You Need To Know
We’ve all had the occasional night or two where we just can’t seem to fall asleep no matter how hard we try. Or we spend the whole night tossing and turning, constantly waking up. Or we wake up in the morning after getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep and still feel exhausted and groggy all day. It happens to the best of us and usually, there isn’t anything to worry about. But what if, instead of just having the occasional bad night of sleep, it was every night you were having problems and every day you were feeling exhausted and groggy? If this sounds like you, you could be suffering from a circadian rhythm sleep disorder.
What Are Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders?
Your circadian rhythm is your body’s 24-hour internal clock that is in charge of when you wake up and when you go to sleep. It is affected by the environment that you live in and is primarily based on when it is light and when it is dark outside, though factors such as melatonin levels, age, and physical activity can play a role in it as well. So, a circadian rhythm sleep disorder is when your internal clock is not aligned with the environment that you live in, and your daily life, and sleep, are impacted by it.
How To Know If You Have One
You might have a circadian rhythm sleep disorder if you suffer from the following symptoms:
- Consistent insomnia.
- Difficulty waking up or staying awake in the morning
- Decreased alertness
- Sleep loss
- Problems concentrating
- Stomach problems
- Impaired judgment
- Headaches
Are You More At Risk?
Though anyone can suffer from a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, you are more likely to be affected if any of the following apply to you:
- You travel frequently throughout different time zones.
- You work a shift at work that doesn’t match up with your internal clock. For example, if your job requires you to work from 9pm-5am, or any overnight shift that has you sleeping when you should be awake and vice versa.
- You’re pregnant or going through menopause.
- You’re blind or go for long periods of time without any exposure to the sunlight.
- You suffer from brain damage caused by a stroke, dementia, or a head injury.
When To Seek Help
You should seek out the help of your doctor if you become concerned about the amount of sleep you’re getting—or, not getting, as the case may be. If you notice consistent problems with your sleep pattern over the course of a month or more and realize it is having an effect on your ability to concentrate, remember things, and leaving you feeling exhausted when you wake up first thing in the morning, it’s time to talk to your doctor today.
Treatment
It might seem like there’s just no help for you, and your sleep will forever suffer if you have this disorder, but there are things your doctor can recommend to help you if you are diagnosed with a circadian sleep disorder. Some of these include simple things like adjusting your lifestyle to include more structured bedtimes, more physical activity throughout the day, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Other treatments can include taking medication or supplements such as melatonin or even include the help of a specialist and something called bright light therapy. Your particular treatment will be specifically tailored for you with the help of your doctor.
Get Help Today
In today’s world, no one has the time to go through life not being able to do the things they need to because of exhaustion caused by a circadian sleep disorder. So, if you find yourself suffering from consistent insomnia and restless sleep that leaves you feeling tired all day every day, call your doctor today to get a diagnosis and start your treatment plan today. Restful sleep is just around the corner, you just need to get some help to round it.
VitalCare Family Practice knows that keeping your family healthy and happy is your first priority. It’s ours too. That’s why, if at any time you need our services or you’re looking for a primary care home for your family, contact us to schedule an appointment!
