Trouble Sleeping? Don’t Self-Medicate, Get Help!

Sleep loss is an ongoing epidemic, with the American Sleep Association reporting that 50-70 million adults in the U.S. are suffering from a sleep disorder. Not only are sleep disorders inconvenient, they are also dangerous to your overall health. A lack of sleep, or poor-quality sleep puts you at a higher risk for depression, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure and weakens your immune system.

While there are many people suffering from insufficient sleep, not enough adults realize the seriousness of their condition enough to seek the medical help required to treat it. Some simply accept  sleep deprivation as a way of life, or attempt to treat it themselves through a variety of home remedies or unhealthy practices.

Melatonin

Some turn to melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement that many view as harmless because it is a natural hormone produced by our own bodies. In small doses melatonin can be useful for those experiencing jet lag, but because of the lack of research it is not recommended for long-term use.

Caffeine

Another common “band-aid” used by people dealing with chronic sleep loss is a very common one – caffeine. Caffeine works by temporarily blocking sleep-inducing chemicals in your brain, making you feel more alert for a brief period. Because caffeine lasts in the body for several hours after ingesting, it can hinder your ability to fall asleep at night and should only be consumed in moderation.

Alcohol

Perhaps the most frequently used self-sleep aid is alcohol. Alcohol can make you feel sleepy and at least 20 percent of Americans use it to help them fall asleep. That nightly glass or two of wine might help you fall asleep, but it has a negative impact on your quality of sleep. Alcohol causes you to spend less time in REM sleep, can cause frequent bathroom trips during the night and worsen the symptoms of some sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).  

If you suspect you are one of the millions of Americans coping with a sleep disorder, don’t try to treat it yourself or try to wait it out. Doing so can cause or worsen long-term health problems. At FusionSleep®, we have dedicated our entire medical practice to helping patients get their lives back through healthy sleep. We offer a variety of sleep solutions, along with in-lab and at-home sleep testing options and virtual appointments on our established telemedicine platform.  Contact us today on our website or by calling 678.990.3962.