Sleeping disorders can be treated with natural medicine
Sleep is a state of mind induced by a string of chemical reactions that occur naturally in the brain in most people. The mechanism of what triggers sleep is still not completely understood but we do know that production of the sleep-inducing pituitary hormone melatonin is triggered by photo-sensors in the eye when it becomes dark. Sleeplessness can also be caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. (see below).
Herbal tonics
We recommend a blend of several herbs to help with sleep. Herbs have a gentle action and will have no hangover effect. The selected herbs will be decided after a brief consultation, depending on your level of need.
Brain nutrition
Good brain nutrition will also assist this process. Yes – your brain needs certain nutrients in abundance and a dietary deficiency of these will lead to sleeplessness. A brief consultation with our naturopath will help to determine any dietary adjustments or supplements that you may need.
Stimulants
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant, as are commonly used stimulant drugs. Such synthetic drugs can also be very toxic and create dependence, that can ruin your life. They can also exhaust your brain and leave you with rebound depression that can be actually life-threatening. If you are stuck in this cycle, a sleep-hygiene consultation with our pharmacist/naturopath will help you both to sleep and “come down” off the drugs.
Circadian rhythm
Your cells everywhere have an ability to activate and slow down depending the presence of light and dark. Bright screens and irregular eating habits as well as waking/sleeping hours disturb this rhythm. Chronic illness may result. (Satchin Panda, INC 2019)
Lack of melatonin
Melatonin is manufactured automatically in a gland in your brain called the pineal gland from another nerve hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is also known as “the happy hormone”.
Sometimes your brain may not be able to make serotonin for some reason. That’s why we, as a Compounding Chemist, can actually make natural melotonin mixtures and capsules. These are in great demand and do make a difference. In Australia this currently requires a doctors prescription, and that is a wise health move. That’s also why we ensure that all of the cells in your body are nutrition-replete.
The advantage of melotonin capsules over a sleeping drug is that it is not addictive as it is a natural drug that the body is quite compatible with. Melatonin also has antioxidant properties and enhances DNA production of telomeres. The finction of telomeres is to protect genes in DNA. When genes are eroded, you age more rapidly.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea – daytime drowsiness.
Of course, another reason that you might wake up is lowered oxygen in the brain caused by restricted breathing due to a blocked airway. This is a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Our CPAP clinic can provide a take-home screening service to determine if this may be an issue. If we find a problem, we refer you into the “system” where your GP and specialists will advise the use of life-saving CPAP treatment if necessary.
Having said that, there is a ‘grey area’ where apnoea might not be diagnosed but where you may still snore and experience broken sleep that may be caused by – of all things – stomach (gastric) reflux. While you are asleep, your stomach might ‘leak’ acidic fluid aup as far as your sinuses, causing snoring and breathing difficulty.
It will help to have our naturopath check this out – with or without the use of CPAP, as Phil is a specilist in detceting underlying causes.