By JR THORPE October 28, 2018
You probably don't need to hear this, but poor
sleep is bad for both mental and physical health. The consequences of even a
few nights' sleep deprivation add up quickly, and there are many ways in which
rest can be disrupted, whether it's because of chronic insomnia or waking up
still exhausted. Sleep quality is tied to many factors, including stress, mood
and environmental elements, like light and noise. However, there are
certain health issues that can
lead to insomnia or otherwise mess with your sleep. If you've
been experiencing sleep problems for a while, it may be time to have your
broader health checked out.
Illnesses can influence sleep in a number of
ways, including the symptoms of the condition itself and the medication that's
used to control it. This is why it's really important to double-check all your
medications and chat with your GP if you've noticed that poor sleep seems to
happen when you take particular drugs. Even conditions that seem
completely disconnected from sleep can have interesting and
damaging effects on your sleep patterns, and may provide a signal that all is
not entirely well with your physical health. From chronic conditions to passing
viruses, these are a few conditions that can seriously disrupt your sleep.
1.
Asthma
Asthma, and its dreaded sisters, allergies and
eczema, can have a negative effect on your sleep, for two reasons. One is that
having asthma means you're at higher risk of bronchial irritation, and you may need to
wake at night to cough or because your airways feel swollen and restricted.
The other reason is down to asthma medication
itself. Antihistamines, which are normally used to fight the histamine
reactions of the immune system, induce drowsiness when used, which can disturb your
natural day-to-night circadian rhythms and make it hard to sleep.
2.
Blood
Pressure Issues
Having high blood pressure can lead to heart disease or stroke if left untreated, but one
surprising effect of treating high blood pressure is lack of
sleep. Beta blockers, the primary medication used to treat high blood pressure, block the
production of melatonin, meaning insomnia, waking up suddenly, or
having nightmares can be common in people who take them.
3.
Chronic
Pain
The National Sleep Foundation highlights
several aspects of chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia that can
contribute to poor sleep. One is the pain itself, while another is the stress connected to the daily experience of managing a pain disorder. Only 45 percent of people with acute pain and 37 percent of
those with chronic pain reported good-quality sleep in a National Sleep
Foundation survey. Medication is another factor, as some drugs for chronic pain
can cause drowsiness during the dayand disrupt sleep
schedules.
4.
Thyroid
Issues
Both an overactive and underactive thyroid are
connected with poor sleep quality. Overactive thyroids, known as hyperthyroidism, can cause
insomnia and difficulty in getting restful sleep, as the body overproduces
thyroid hormone and speeds up all aspects of its functioning. Underactive thyroids, known as hypothyroidism, can affect
sleep too; under-producing thyroid hormone slows the metabolism, increases
fatigue, and raises the risk of sleep apnea.
5.
Acid
Reflux
The National Sleep Foundation notes that
between 5 and 8 percent of the world's population are believed to have gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD or acid reflux.
People with this condition feel acid from their stomach leaking backward into
their esophagus, causing a burning sensation, and it's linked to a higher
tendency for insomnia and disturbed sleep, as it's more likely to happen when
you're lying down.
6.
Depression
Depression is just one of many mental health
issues that can impact your sleep. One of the primary symptoms of depression is insomnia, undersleeping, or
oversleeping, in addition to fatigue, according to the Anxiety and Depression
Association of America.
Having your sleep schedule messed up on top of
managing other health issues is never fun, but getting to the bottom of both of
these issues is key to staying on top of your overall health.
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