How Functional Medicine Can Help with Sleep Disorders

Sleep is very important for our health. When you can't sleep at the proper time, you feel a lack of sleep. Clinically, it's called insomnia. All day long, we are involved in a lot of work, so our body needs rest at night through sleep.

Normally, we need 6–8 hours of sleep per night. We can't shut our eyes at night for various reasons, such as adrenal stress, cortisol imbalances, hormone imbalances, neurotransmitter imbalances, blood sugar imbalances, etc.

We need functional medicine to recover from this problem. Because it finds out the root cause of the sleep disorder and tries to solve it.

Today I will share with you which factors may be responsible for sleep disorders, what you can do for proper sleep, and how functional medicine can help your sleep disorder.

The goal of functional medicine for sleep disorder 

The goal of functional medicine is to conduct a thorough assessment of patients. This system involves their medical history, sleep patterns, diet, stress levels, and medications. Which may be contributing to the sleep disorder, and with the effect of functional medicine, we can solve this problem easily.

After assessment, they try to understand each patient's situation, and as a result, the functional medicine practitioners can identify the major cause of the sleeping disorder. Although common medicine can improve sleep, practitioners want to prevent the main cause of insomnia by using functional medicine.

Most Common Cause of Sleep Disorder

Many factors can be responsible for sleep disorders or insomnia. Some are mental stress; they may be personal issues, familial issues, official issues, etc. Some have the wrong lifestyle, such as being late to go to sleep and having a mobile addiction. Some may be physical problems like breathing problems, chest pain, migraines, etc.

The cause varies by person. There are some common causes, which are usually responsible for sleep disorders.

• Mental stress and anxiety
• Irregular sleep habits
• Improper environment 
• Intake of alcohol, caffeine, etc.
• Physical problem

Better Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications

Functional medicine first suggests you change your lifestyle to recover from sleep disturbances. If you want a fulfilling sleep, you must modify your sleeping pattern. It is an effective process. Which restores your sleep and reduces the risk of severe disease.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Lifestyle modifications are central to functional medicine's approach. You'll receive guidance on creating a consistent sleep schedule, optimizing your sleep environment (e.g., reducing exposure to blue light before bedtime), and fostering healthy sleep hygiene practices.

Stress Management

Stress has a negative impact on your regular sleep. For that, you should follow the rules such as relaxation practices, mindfulness, meditation, etc. It can help reduce your stress as well as help you fall asleep easily.

Dietary Modifications

Nutrition is another part of this process. You should complete your dinner before 2 hours of sleep. Intake of specific nutrients and avoid stimulus drinks(alcohol, nicotine). As a result, you can go to sleep early.

Exercise suggestions

Physical activity is vital for sleep quality. The functional medicine process may provide exercise suggestions tailored to your condition. It can balance your energy levels, emphasizing regular, moderate-intensity activity. Which is very helpful for proper sleep.

Behavioral Therapy

Functional medicine may incorporate behavioral therapy techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). CBT-I helps you address negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to sleep problems.

Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments

Functional medicine takes a proactive approach to your health. Regular follow-up appointments and communication with your practitioner allow for ongoing monitoring and adjustments to your treatment plan, ensuring it remains effective and tailored to your progress.

Functional medicine-supplement for sleep disorder 

As per your sleeping disturbance reason, a functional medicine specialist can suggest some effective supplements. Which gives you healthy sleep and overall well-being. But to assess your condition and maintain your dose, you should consult with a specialist. Supplements are given below.

Magnesium

Magnesium: It has the power to unwind the muscles and quiet the sensory system. If you feel the RLS problem (muscle strain) and can't sleep properly for it, this magnesium is very effective for you. Dose 200–400 mg per night before sleep time.

Glycine

Glycine is an amino corrosive. It can reduce your internal temperature. For that, your body feels fresh, and you get proper sleep. Before sleeping, you can take 3-5 grams.

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

5-HTP is a forerunner to serotonin. It is a synapse that assumes a part in controlling rest. It's utilized to further develop a state of mind as well as improve rest. Normal dose: 50–300 mg before sleep. But you should start with a minimum dose.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves, particularly green tea. It has a calming effect and may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, potentially improving sleep. Usually, dosage ranges from 100 mg to 400 mg, taken 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is an herbal supplement known for its sedative properties. It's often used to alleviate insomnia and improve sleep quality. Typically, 300–900 mg in capsule or tablet form, taken one hour before bedtime.

Finally, if you read the short article attentively, you can learn about sleep disorders, their factors, maintenance rules, and avoidance. As well as how functional medicine can help your sleep disorder.

Consult with a functional medicine practitioner; they will give you suggestions for proper sleep. To remove your sleep disorder problem, you should maintain the appropriate protocol by modifying your lifestyle, bad habits, and sleeping patterns. Hopefully, you can improve your sleep quality and sleep timing.

Thanks for reading. If you face sleep disorders repeatedly, Advanced Integrated Health can be the right healthcare service to solve your problem because they have proven track records of solving these disorders in the past and have expert doctors. Don’t forget to check it out. Always take care of your health and sleep tamely.