Sleep Issues

Why do I Feel so Tired?

Sleep. Most of us feel like we do not get enough of it. And when we get “enough”, it is not good enough. We are tired and irritable.

Does it have to be this way?

Everyone’s health situations and sleep difficulties are unique. But there is one constant factor for everyone. Deep, healing sleep is fundamental to health and well-being.

How Can I get Better Quality Sleep?

The body’s natural inclination is to get adequate sleep. If you cannot sleep, or if your sleep is not restful, something is wrong. But what?

Dr. Pence can help you find out. There are several things to review in assessment and testing – diet, life habits and the state of the nervous system, to name a few. Dr. Pence will determine what the difficulty is and how to address the problem naturally. The goal is to help you achieve a higher quality of sleep.

While there are obvious bad effects of sleep deprivation, like depression and memory troubles, there are more insidious issues that can develop. These would likely be below the level of awareness but brewing all the while.

If you are deprived of good quality sleep, it is worth your while to get the situation addressed. Consider these possible consequences:

Can Sleep Difficulties Lead to Weight Gain?

The less sleep you get, the more likely you are to gain weight, and here’s why; Our body is maintained by a series of delicate balances that help us maintain a set “level” that keeps us healthy. Many of these set-points are balanced by hormones that regulate the body. One of these set-points is our hunger.

According to Gregory B. Dodell, MD, an endocrinologist at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals, there are two hormones at play. Ghrelin, a protein produced by the stomach, stimulates a person to be hungry. Leptin, a hormone released by fat cells, helps a person to feel full. When we are sleep deprived, studies show that our body stimulates the release of more ghrelin and decreases the release of leptin. We get hungry, and the foods we crave tend to be higher in salt and calories. This is the perfect set of circumstances for gaining weight.

Lack of Sleep and Risk for Diabetes

Another hormonal imbalance that occurs from lack of sleep is insulin sensitivity. Insufficient sleep triggers the hormones TSH and testosterone (both related to the thyroid.) In turn, this leads to lower insulin sensitivity, which causes the blood glucose levels to go up and creates a risk for type 2 diabetes.

Lack of Sleep and High Blood Pressure

When we sleep, our nervous system can remain healthy because our hormones become balanced and regulated. There is a theory that lack of sleep causes stress hormones to become unbalanced, leading to high blood pressure. Lack of sleep can also contribute to inflammation, which contributes to high blood pressure.

Lack of Sleep and Lowered Immune System

Lack of sleep simulates increased stress for the body. The body thinks it has something to fight, and long term, this affects the immune system. Over time, the individual is more susceptible to illness, and recovery time is longer.

Lack of Sleep and Risk for Heart Disease

Higher blood pressure and inflammation, occasioned by lack of sleep, can play a role in heart disease.

Tired people are slower, make poorer decisions, and can have accidents.

Get your body in balance and get some good sleep!

Call 304- 645-6080 to book an appointment.