Having insomnia can be a difficult and frustrating experience. Our insomnia functional medicine doctor knows this all too well! It can make you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, as if you’re constantly running on empty. You may become irritable and unable to concentrate, making everyday tasks seem like an insurmountable challenge. The inability to fall or stay asleep can leave you feeling anxious and depressed, unable to focus on anything but your lack of sleep.

You might also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and digestive issues. Insomnia can take a toll on your mental and physical health, leaving you feeling powerless and exhausted. Thankfully, there are treatments available that can help you get the restful sleep you need. With a combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and medication, you can get back on to the sleep you remember.

Insomnia and Functional Medicine

Functional medicine can be a great help to those suffering from insomnia. This holistic approach looks at the individual as a whole, taking into consideration factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, stress levels, and environment. Through this comprehensive evaluation, a practitioner can identify potential underlying causes of insomnia, such as nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies. By addressing these underlying causes, functional medicine can help reduce sleep disturbances.

Additionally, this approach may include lifestyle modifications such as improving sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, and even cognitive behavioral therapy. Through these customized interventions, patients can experience improved sleep quality and duration, leading to improved overall health and wellbeing. So if you are struggling with insomnia, consider a functional medicine approach for a more effective treatment.

Classes Of Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, mental health issues, and medical conditions. There are two main classes of insomnia: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is when a person has difficulty sleeping for a period of time, even when there is no underlying medical condition or psychological issue.

Secondary insomnia is caused by an underlying medical or psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. It may also be caused by certain medications, substance abuse, or changes in one’s daily routine. Treatment for both types of insomnia can involve lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine and establishing a regular sleep schedule. Medications may also be prescribed to help individuals get back on track.

Primary Insomnia

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on the underlying causes of health issues, rather than simply treating symptoms. For primary insomnia, functional medicine helps evaluate factors such as diet, lifestyle, and environment that can be contributing to sleep disturbances. It also looks at imbalances in hormones, neurotransmitters, and the digestive system that can be impacting sleep.

Functional medicine practitioners will create an individualized plan to address the root causes of insomnia, which often includes dietary changes, supplement protocols, and lifestyle modifications. A key part of functional medicine is addressing the body’s natural rhythms, such as the circadian rhythm, and helping the body to align with its natural sleep/wake cycle. By addressing the underlying causes of primary insomnia, functional medicine

Secondary Insomnia

Secondary insomnia is a type of sleep disorder that is caused by another condition or habit. It is typically characterized by difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and/or waking up earlier than desired. Common causes of secondary insomnia include stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, medications, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as asthma, acid reflux, and neurological conditions, can cause secondary insomnia. Treatment for secondary insomnia usually involves treating the underlying cause and making lifestyle changes. This may include relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and taking natural supplements. In some cases, prescription medications may be recommended to help with sleep. It is important to know that secondary insomnia can be treated, but it is important to consult a insomnia functional medicine doctor for help.

Major Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. There are many causes of insomnia, including psychological, physiological, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Psychological causes, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, are some of the most common causes of insomnia. Physiological causes include chronic pain, medications, hormonal imbalances, and circadian rhythm disorders. Environmental factors, such as noise, temperature, and light, can also disrupt sleep. Lastly, lifestyle habits, such as caffeine consumption, eating late at night, working late hours, or not having enough physical activity, can all contribute to insomnia. It is important to identify these causes and take steps to address them in order to get a good night’s sleep.

Common Insomnia Symptoms

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Common symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning. People with insomnia often feel excessively tired during the day and may have difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and changes in their mood. They may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, chest tightness, jaw pain, and stomach upset.

People with insomnia often experience changes in their sleep patterns, such as night after night of poor sleep or difficulty sleeping on certain days. Additionally, they may wake up feeling unrefreshed even after a full night of sleep. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to a functional medicine doctor who specializes in insomnia.

The GABA System

The GABA system is a neurotransmitter system that plays an important role in regulating sleep. It is believed to help control the amount of time we spend in different stages of sleep. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and is believed to be related to disruptions in the GABA system. Low levels of GABA have been found to be associated with difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and feeling refreshed and alert upon awakening. Research has also suggested that certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, may act on the GABA system to help reduce the symptoms of insomnia.

Additionally, certain dietary changes, such as increasing the intake of foods containing tryptophan, as well as supplementing with GABA itself, may help to improve sleep and reduce the severity of the symptoms.  Medications like Ambien and LUNESTA target the GABA system in the brain and promote sleep. The only problem with taking sleeping pills is that the cause of the underlying GABA deficiency has not been identified or addressed.

There are several common health issues that interfere with normal GABA production; these health issues can be isolated and treated using functional medicine techniques. This form of medicine looks for the underlying cause of health issues and restores normal function to the body through proper diet, specific nutrients and lifestyle modification.

Low Blood Sugar

A very common cause of low GABA is poor blood sugar regulation. Many people who suffer with insomnia also have difficulty maintaining proper blood sugar levels during the day. These same people may experience irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, tremors, sweating or headaches is meals are skipped. Many people with low blood sugar are not aware that they have this problem. The brain requires a regular supply of blood sugar in order to produce GABA.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances can also cause insomnia. Women between the ages of 35 and 60 often have estrogen and progesterone imbalances. These imbalances interfere with how well GABA works on the brain. So even if you are producing enough GABA, its effectiveness may be reduced.

Nutrients

The brain requires specific nutrients in proper amounts to produce large amounts of GABA. A few of these key nutrients are vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc.

Contact Our Insomnia Functional Medicine Doctor

Insomnia is a condition that can have a major impact on one’s quality of life. Fortunately, it is very treatable. Treatment options vary and include lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol late in the day, establishing regular bedtime and wake-up times, getting regular exercise, and avoiding screens before bed. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for chronic insomnia.

This therapy focuses on the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to insomnia, helping individuals to develop better sleep habits and overcome any underlying psychological issues that may be contributing to their insomnia. In addition to these treatments, medications may be prescribed in some cases to help individuals fall asleep and stay asleep.  If you suffer from insomnia, there is an underlying cause. Seek professional help to isolate the cause of insomnia and address it naturally when possible.  If you are looking for a functional medicine doctor in, Chicago,  St. Charles, Naperville, Wheaton or Orland Park, please contact us today!