Sleep expert shares top tips on how to set up bedroom to get the best night’s sleep
Sleep issues are common in the UK. According to the NHS, around one in three adults experience problems with their sleeping at least once in their lives.
There are a number of factors that can cause disrupted sleep, from stress and anxiety, to noise and light disturbance. Often sleep issues will resolve themselves once these root causes are fixed. However, sleep problems can also be caused by something far more sinister.
One expert explained how your sleep could reveal some serious underlying health issues. Mike Kocsis, from Balance My Hormones, shared some of the most common sleeping issues that could be a sign of medical problems that require intervention.
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Insomnia or disturbed sleep could be a sign of a serious underlying health condition (Image: Getty Images)
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. It can also cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep
While this could be linked to lifestyle factors or a person’s mental state, it be a sign of one of two conditions. According to Mike, it could signal fluctuating hormones or high blood pressure.
“Hormones are closely linked to your sleep cycle and if they are disrupted, it can pave the way to a person suffering from the likes of insomnia,” he said.
“Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain that plays an instrumental role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythms (your 24-hour internal body clock).
“If a person experiences persistent insomnia, this could signal that they are lacking in melatonin. The body’s levels of melatonin are often reduced with age and have even been linked to dementia, type 2 diabetes, and low mood.”
Feeling fatigued even after getting enough sleep is one potential sign of a health issue (Image: Getty)
A medical professional can test the body’s level of melatonin via a blood, urine, or saliva test. Mike continued: “Studies have shown that those with high blood pressure often experience insomnia.
“High blood pressure is the result of high force being used to pump blood through the veins. This places stress on the vessels and can cause headaches, breathing difficulties and even pains across the chest.
“If you are experiencing insomnia that simply will not shift, this could be a signal that you have high blood pressure.” If you are concerned about your blood pressure you could speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
Ongoing fatigue
Feeling tired even after sleeping lots could again mean you are lacking a certain hormone.
“Progesterone plays an integral role in sleep hygiene as the hormone calms the brain,” Mike said.
People with high blood pressure are more likely to experience insomnia (Image: Getty)
“In fact, progesterone is often referred to as the body’s natural anti-depressant. The hormone stimulates the brain’s GABA receptors, providing a soothing effect, which is essential for achieving optimal sleep hygiene.
“Low levels of progesterone often interrupt the body’s deep sleep cycle and causes the likes of insomnia, night sweats and sleep apnoea.”
Your levels of progesterone can be checked via a blood test.
Sleep disruption
If you feel like you are waking up a lot in the night or struggling to sleep properly, it could mean you have diabetes. One in two people with type 2 diabetes experience sleep disruption.
Mike said: “This is often the result of unstable blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar levels can cause ongoing insomnia and fatigue whilst high blood sugar levels cause the kidneys to work overtime, leading a person to frequently urinate.
“A lack of sleep increases the hunger hormone ghrelin and suppresses the hormone leptin that lets us know we are full.
“Therefore, sleep deprivation can cause a person to experience frequent hunger pains and crave sugar. This is especially common in those with type 2 diabetes.”
A doctor can test for diabetes by conducting a blood test.
Persistent sleep problems
Difficulty falling and staying asleep is a red flag sign of an overactive thyroid. Mike added: “Studies have shown that imbalances in the thyroid cause sleeping problems for 71.9 percent of people.
“Commonly, a person with an overactive thyroid experiences mood swings, waves of nervousness and surges in anxiety.
“As a result, those with an overactive thyroid tend to encounter poor sleep hygiene, even though their condition ensures that they are persistently tired.
“Both difficulty falling and staying asleep is common and sufferers often find themselves laying awake for several hours with symptoms of anxiety.”
If you experience ongoing, unexplained sleep problems you should speak to your GP.
