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Top 10 Side Effects of Trouble Sleeping

Trouble sleeping can have a dramatic effect on your physical and mental health. Here are the top 10 side effects of trouble sleeping:

  1. Fatigue: Not getting enough sleep can leave you feeling exhausted and tired throughout the day.
  2. Irritability: Lack of sleep can make it difficult to concentrate. This can leave you easily irritated and/ frustrated with your loved ones, coworkers or situation.
  3. Lack of Focus: Not getting enough sleep can impact your ability to focus and think clearly, leading to decreased productivity at work or school.
  4. Depression: Prolonged lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of depression, as well as other mood disorders such as anxiety.
  5. Memory Problems: Poor sleep has been associated with memory loss and difficulty recalling information or details from recent events or conversations.
  6. Weakened Immune System: Poor sleep has been linked to a weakened immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illnesses such as colds and flu.
  7. Weight Gain: Not getting enough restful sleep has been linked to increased levels of ghrelin (the hormone that signals hunger) which can lead to weight gain over time if not addressed.
  8. High Blood Pressure: People who struggle with insomnia and interrupted sleep cycles may be more prone to high blood pressure due to lack of quality restful sleep needed for healthy cardiovascular function.
  9. Diabetes Risk: Poorly regulated blood sugar levels due from lack of regular quality restful sleep have been linked with an increased risk in diabetes or pre-diabetes in adults.
  10. Heart Disease Risk: Inadequate amounts of quality restful sleep have been linked with higher cholesterol levels which increase one’s risk for heart disease over time if not managed properly.

Top 3 Causes of Trouble Sleeping and Our Approach


1. Stress and anxiety: When we experience high levels of stress or anxiety, our body shifts into a stress response known. This is known as the sympathetic nervous system, more commonly known as the fight or flight response. This results in elevated heart rate and respiration along with racing thoughts that can make it difficult to fall asleep.

Solution:
Chiropractic helps calm your body naturally: We specifically work with the nervous system and can measure, through specific non-invasive technology, whether your body is in the sympathetic (fight/flight or protection) or parasympathetic (rest/digest or healing) side of the nervous system. Through very gentle and specific techniques, we are able to help restore balance and ease in your body and nervous system. This also helps to reduce tension-inducing hormones like cortisol, which is responsible for sending signals of stress and anxiety. We take it a step further and objectively track your progress through a specific treatment plan to ensure you get the best results.

2. Pain or Discomfort: Whether your pain is acute or has been a chronic problem, this can drastically affect the quality or quantity of sleep you are experiencing. Pain or discomfort can also cause the mind to be more alert and less receptive to relaxation techniques typically used for falling asleep.

Solution:
We find the root cause behind your pain: Most people are tired of covering up the symptom of pain and are looking for longer lasting results. At Cornerstone Chiropractic, we take your pain seriously. Through a thorough consultation and spinal evaluation, we utilize neurological scans and digital x-rays (if necessary) to find the underlying cause behind your pain. We tailor our care specifically for you so that your body can heal and function at its best. As your pain starts to go away, your body will naturally be able to get deeper, more restful sleep.

3. Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, as well as reduce the quality of sleep once you do finally drift off. It’s easy to just say, avoid caffeinated beverages and foods late in the day to ensure a more restful night’s sleep. However, it isn’t that easy when you depend on it to get through your day. A lot of people choose caffeine for mental clarity.

Solution:
Chiropractic helps improve mental clarity and natural energy levels: Chiropractic care can help improve mental clarity in several ways. Regular adjustments can help reduce pain and inflammation, allowing the body and mind to relax more easily. This improved relaxation leads to better sleep, which is essential for optimal brain functioning. In addition, chiropractic care improves circulation throughout the body, including to the brain. Improved circulation to the brain increases oxygen and nutrient availability which helps restore neural pathways and reduce cognitive fog. Furthermore, regular spinal adjustments can improve posture which allows for better breathing and increased oxygen intake. All these factors contribute to improved mental clarity and focus over time.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!