ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep disorders have one thing in common, they interrupt sleep. Therefore, it's important that if you have a sleep disorder, you find the problem before the accumulation of interrupted sleep leads to chronic sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is more than just being tired. It can negatively impact several organ systems, including your heart. Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, so it's important to do everything possible to maintain its health - including getting enough sleep. Continue reading to find out how common sleeping disorders can lead to cardiovascular disease!

Rumination, the incessant loop of thoughts that refuse to let go, can be a major hindrance throughout the day and especially when it's time to sleep. When your mind is caught up in this cycle, it becomes nearly impossible to shut off and find the restful sleep you deserve. This can lead to or exacerbate anxiety, depression, and insomnia, resulting in a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation. To learn more about the impacts of rumination and how to break free from its grip, continue reading.

Eating before bed has been a controversial topic for a long time. There is so much speculation and misinformation about eating late at night and the effect it can have on your diet. However, eating late at night can have various effects on your sleep. Keep reading to find out how late-night snacking can impact your sleep. 

Nocturia is a term for a condition in which you take multiple trips to the bathroom at night. These constant disruptions cause you to constantly wake up to take a trip to the bathroom, which interrupts your attempt at a good night's sleep. You may awaken in the morning and find yourself feeling drowsy or extremely tired throughout the day. If this happens more often than not, and you are not proceeding bedtime with a large intake of water, then there may be some underlying diseases or disorders that you need to address. Please continue reading to find out more about what may be causing your multiple bathroom stops. 

Do you find it difficult to sleep, but unsure why? It could have something to do with your prescription medications. If you take medication for high blood pressure, arrhythmias, mental health disorders, and other health problems, your medication could be causing your insomnia. 

What is a Risk Factor for Insomnia?

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of developing a disease or condition. Insomnia, like other sleep disorders, has several potential causes and factors that can increase your risk of developing insomnia. Continue reading to learn more about insomnia and some of the risk factors that are associated with the condition. 

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder that prevents you from getting enough sleep because you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep throughout the night, or waking up much earlier than intended, and can't go back to sleep. 

If you have insomnia, you never feel like you are getting enough rest – probably because you aren’t. It’s frustrating to not be able to sleep when you want to, and accompanying this frustration are the physical and mental consequences of being sleep-deprived. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of insomnia. 

Excess Darkness and Your Circadian Rhythm

For those of us living in Alaska, it’s no secret that we are operating under “unique” circumstances in summer and winter, from extreme amounts of light to extreme amounts of dark. Though it might seem counterintuitive, the amount of excess darkness, which is significant in the Southeast and oppressive in the Far North, actually makes sleep more difficult for many people.

Why?

The excess darkness is extremely disruptive. It prevents your exposure to daylight and your ability to be physically active. It can also disrupt your hormone levels. The result of all these adjustments is a disrupted circadian rhythm. Continue reading to learn more about this phenomenon and what you can do. 

What is Insomnia?

“Insomnia” is a word that most people frequently toss around to describe cases of sleeplessness. However, the disorder is actually a complicated umbrella term that includes multiple conditions varying in severity.

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when a person has the chance to do so.

No matter the type of insomnia, those who suffer from the condition commonly complain of the same symptoms:

• Waking during the night

• Waking too early

• Fatigue during the day

• Irritability

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Difficulty concentrating

• Increased worry

• Increased accidents