Millions of adults suffer from sleep disorders, the most common of which is insomnia and narcolepsy. The adverse effects of these disorders are far-reaching, from accidents caused by drowsiness to hypertension and cardiac conditions.
Somnipathy, or sleep disorder, is a medical disorder where a person’s sleep is disrupted. Disrupted sleep could affect a person’s waking hours, making them impaired enough to cause accidents, make them perform poorly in school or at work, and cause further health problems.
There is no denying, the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. However, the reality for a lot of people is that they struggle to drift off in the evening. Some people also find themselves waking up throughout the night and then there are those who spend the entire day feeling grouchy and irritable because of their lack of sleep. Not only is this frustrating and unenjoyable, but it can lead to a whole host of different health problems as well. With that being said, in this blog post, we are going to take a look at some of the things you can eat or drink before you go to sleep to help you enjoy more restful slumber.
- CBD gummies -There is only one place to begin, and this is with CBD gummies. The CBD edibles market has expanded massively in recent times. There are CBD products for all types of problems or issues you may be facing, including CBD gummies for sleep. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain or you are struggling to sleep because you are stressed and cannot unwind, CBD can help you to get into that calm and relaxed state so that you can enjoy a more restful night’s rest. Of course, do make sure you choose a provider with care.
- Peppermint tea– Peppermint tea is a great choice if you want to have a drink before you go to bed. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, peppermint tea is naturally free of caffeine, unlike regular tea or, of course, coffee. Aside from this, peppermint has the ability to relax your muscles, which can help you to relax and unwind before bedtime. Plus, it tastes delicious and there are some really great peppermint tea brands on the market today who are known for their high-quality products. If peppermint is not your flavor, there are other great herbal teas worth trying.
- Almonds– Last but not least, eating almonds before bed is a good idea if you find yourself craving a snack. Almonds are believed to increase sleep quality. This is because almonds are a great source of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates your internal clock, signaling to your body that it is time to start preparing for sleep. There are other nuts that contain melatonin. However, almonds have so many other benefits that they seemed like the most worthy choice when it comes to a bedtime snack that you can feel good about!
So there you have it: some of the different things you can eat and drink before you go to bed so that you can enjoy a more restful sleep. It is important to be mindful of your diet when it comes to rest and rejuvenation. There are some foods that can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep all night, whereas others, such as those mentioned above, can help to make sure you get the sleep you need.
Common sleep disorders
Insomnia
Insomnia is perhaps the most common of sleep disorders. This is the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. 50% of adults experience acute insomnia while a tenth of the adult population suffers from chronic insomnia.
The causes of insomnia range from anxiety to pain. People who suffer from anxiety have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep than someone who has very low levels of stress and no anxiety. People suffering from chronic pain can also suffer from insomnia as pain makes it difficult to fall asleep.
Narcolepsy
This is a chronic neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. People who suffer from narcolepsy will fall asleep in the middle of a conversation or while doing chores including driving.
The exact cause is unknown but around 10% of people with narcolepsy have a family history of the disorder. People who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries or those who have tumors can also suffer from narcolepsy.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
These are a group of sleep disorders that affect a person’s circadian rhythm (our natural process that regulates when we sleep and wake), affecting the time of sleep. This happens when your normal sleep time is disrupted likely by a change of work shifts or other external situations that stop you from falling asleep at the time you normally do.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
People with this syndrome have this intense urge to move their legs. The urge is so strong that it disrupts sleep.
Scientists believe that the cause of RLS is iron deficiency. RLS can worsen during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol, smoking, and consuming copious amounts of caffeine can also exacerbate RLS.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a patient’s breathing is affected during sleep. A patient’s breathing could turn shallow or stop altogether for several seconds followed by gasping, choking, or snorting sounds when the body resumes normal breathing.
The causes of sleep apnea depend on which type of sleep apnea a patient has. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often caused by excess weight, narrowed airways, and even age. OSA occurs more in males than females. The other type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea (CSA) caused by your brain failing to tell your muscles to keep breathing during sleep.
Don’t rely, however, on sleep medication to cure insomnia. Prescription and nonprescription sleep medications are only intended for occasional, short-term use.
If you continue to have insomnia, talk to your health care provider or consider consulting with one of our board-certified providers, who specializes in sleep disorders.
Established as the first independent diagnostic testing facility sleep clinic in Alaska in 2002, AIaska Sleep Clinic has grown to 4 locations and 13 beds. Alaska Sleep Clinic is the most comprehensive sleep clinic in Alaska. Contact us today for your FREE sleep assessment.
