ALL NATURAL ADVANTAGE

Natural Healthcare And Advice

Identifying the Sleep Problem

•    Do you have problems going to sleep?

•    Do you have problems staying asleep?

•    Do you feel refreshed when you wake up? 

Do you know?

•    The brain is more active at night

•    The body heals, repairs and detoxifies at night

•    Identifying and treating sleep disturbances can improve many health conditions  

Problems initiating sleep can lead to problems in maintenance of sleep and therefore a decrease in sleep quality. These three areas can all affect each other, and there are many underlying factors that can contribute to these issues.

  Why is Sleep So Important?

We spend around one third of our total lives sleeping. Sleep rejuvenates and recharges the body, detoxifies toxins, repairs damaged tissues, initiates growth and aids the process of sorting and storing everything we have learnt, felt and experienced during the day.

Sleep Deprivation / Sleep Debt

Studies indicate that 4 to 6 hours of sleep per night leads to “a progressive, cumulative deterioration in neurobehavioural function, including vigilance, neurocognitive performance and mood” University of Chicago Medical Report, Dec 2, 1999, Vol 19, No.6

Our society and the corporate world see those that can function on a few hours of sleep a night and eight cups of coffee a day as being full of vitality and capable of high performance. Unfortunately many of these people “burn out” early in their life.

Warning signs of sleep deprivation:

•    Poor motivation

•    Sleepy during the day

•    Increased craving for sugar, nicotine, alcohol, recreational drugs and coffee

•    Fatigue

•    Irritability

•    Difficulty concentrating

•    Confusion

•    Compromised immune system

•    Depression, anxiety

•    Headaches

•    Delusional

•    Mouth breathing

•    Can’t sit still at home or work

•    Snoring

  Sleep deprivation is linked to:

•    Reduced work performance

•    Reduced cognitive function

•    Aggressions

•    Behavioural abnormality

•    Increased chance of road accidents (1 in 6)

•    Linked to poor immunity

•    Stroke and heart attacks – 50%

•    Fibromyalgia

•    Chronic fatigue symptoms

•    Diabetes

•    Obesity

Natural Treatments For A Good Nights Sleep

An initial consultation always considers underlying causes that may be contributing to insomnia, for example:

•    Diabetes, menopause

•    Medications: oral contraceptive pill, beta-blockers, aspirin

•    Problems with blood sugar regulation

•    Food allergies, particularly in children (cow’s milk)

•    Arthritic pain

•    Adrenal stress  

•    Caffeine, alcohol, recreational drugs

•    Natural remedies that may interfere with sleep

  Supplements That Help With Sleep

Correct neurotransmitter imbalances

There are many neurotransmitters that are involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness. The important neurotransmitters essential for sleep include: dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin melatonin, GABA, acetylcholine and histamine. These can easily be assessed utilising a brain neurotransmitter questionnaire. There are specific supplements that can increase these neurotransmitters in the brain. The production of neurotransmitters is also dependent on adequate co-factors like vitamins (vitamins B1, B3, B6, C) and minerals (magnesium, calcium, zinc)

Herbal Medicine

There are many excellent herbal blends that can help gain restful sleep. Many of these blends include: Passion Flower, Valerian, Withania, Skullcap and Chamomile.

It should be noted that some herbs, like Panax and Ginkgo can interfere with sleep and may need to be avoided.

General Tips For Good Quality Sleep

•    Establish a regular bedtime routine and a regular sleep–wake schedule

•    Avoid eating starches after 5 pm

•    Avoid drinking coffee (or ingesting caffeine) after 2 pm

•    Avoid drinking soda drinks

•    Avoid exercising too late at night

•    Avoid naps late in the afternoon

•    Do not smoke 2 hours before bed

•    If your partner snores, move to another room

•    Create a sleep promoting environment that is dark, quiet, cool and comfortable

•    Eat light meals at night – your body needs to use its energy to rejuvenate itself, rather than spend the night digesting the food you have eaten

•    Avoid watching TV before bed

•    Avoid having any mobile phones and electrical appliances within one meter of the bed  

•    Avoid using an electric blanket

Don’t put up with the fatigue and health consequences of short and long term sleep deprivation / debt. Call today for an appointment

For advice or to book a consultation, call (03) 8802 7687 or email me. 

Always seek a consultation with a qualified practitioner first before trying any new treatments.

Natural therapies through a qualified practitioner, specialising in your disorder, provides safe and effective treatments that work.

Disclaimer

This website has no financial connection to the supplement or health products industry.

The information on this website is provided as a guide to your healthcare options only.  The All Natural Advantage website makes no statements, representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and should not be relied on as a sole source of information.  We take no responsibility or liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any expenses, losses, damages or costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason including but not limited to, you deciding whether or not to choose specific treatment based on the information.

Please contact me or another qualified health professional before embarking on any health treatment program

Send mail to All Natural Advantage with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 06/01/08