Why Don't I Sleep Well?

If you have trouble sleeping, you are not alone.  Approximately 70 million people in the United States are affected by a sleep problem, with about 40 million classified as chronic sufferers and the other 30 million affected by intermittent sleep-related problems. However, an overwhelming majority of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated, according to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research. 

The average adult requires about 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep a night.  If you are not getting enough rest or quality rest, your health may be in serious jeopardy. Sleep trouble has become such a common thing in our society that we think its normal - far from it. In fact, there are many reasons why one may have sleep trouble, including trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, having to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, cramps and restless legs, and sleep apnea, just to name a few. 

There are over 84 classifications of sleep disorders. Moreover, statistics show that sleep trouble is increasing at alarming rates and affecting many children as well. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and property and environmental damage, according to the National Sleep Foundation. That’s a lot of money!  

Sleep apnea, a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep, affects as many as 18 million people, according to the National Institute of Health.  In addition, 12 million Americans have restless legs syndrome, a sleep and movement disorder, characterized by unpleasant feelings (tingling, crawling, creeping and/or pulling) in the legs and an urge to move to relieve these feelings.  

There are many underlying causes of sleep trouble. The easy fix is to take a pill to help you sleep, but is that really addressing the true cause of the problem?  One common cause of sleep trouble is poor blood sugar control.  Now this does not mean you have to be a diabetic.  Many individuals suffer from poor blood sugar balance without knowing it and it's causing sleep challenges. The good news is that diet alone can help in a big way. 

Another cause of sleep problems is weakened adrenal health.  The adrenal glands are two tiny glands that sit on top of your kidneys. These key glands help you deal with stress. We call them the “STRESS” glands.  They too can have an impact on your sleep.  The best way to test your adrenals is through a saliva test, which is not commonly done in medical practice today.  I am shocked by the number of people I see with severe adrenal weakness, which wreaks havoc on overall health and sleep.  Healthy adrenal function can very well be your ticket to a better, more restful sleep.

There are many causes of sleep trouble, but until you find the root cause of your problem, medication will be only a temporary fix.  Come join us at our next community event and learn what the most common causes of sleep trouble are and what you can do about them.  Our Solutions to Sleep Trouble event will be held on December 1 at 7:15 p.m. at Panera Bread in Rocky River in the Event Room.  Please call 440-331-4744 to reserve your seat or email TFWellnessDOC@gmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving!  May you be blessed with health and happiness.

Bryan Ruocco

Dr. Bryan Ruocco is a local chiropractor and wellness advocate. He owns and operates the Power of LIFE Wellness Center located in Rocky River. Dr. Ruocco graduated from the prestigious Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, GA at the top of his class and received Magna Cum Laude Honors.

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Volume 3, Issue 5, Posted 10:28 AM, 11.04.2015