Poor sleep quality refers to sleep that is insufficient or disrupted, preventing restorative rest. Signs of poor sleep include difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up frequently throughout the night, feeling unrested upon waking, and daytime drowsiness or fatigue.
Some key characteristics of poor sleep quality include:
- Insomnia - Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Fragmented sleep - Waking up frequently during the night
- Lack of deep sleep - Not enough time spent in restorative stages of sleep
- Sleep disruptions - External factors interrupting sleep like noise or light
- Daytime fatigue - Feeling tired, sluggish, or sleepy during the day
Poor sleep has major effects on health and wellbeing. Short and disrupted sleep is linked to:
- Impaired immune function
- Increased inflammation
- Higher risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease
- Problems with memory, focus, productivity
- Increased errors, accidents
- Anxiety, depression, emotional issues
There are many potential reasons for poor sleep quality, including:
- Sleep disorders - Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, etc
- Medications - Certain prescription drugs can interfere with sleep
- Health conditions - Chronic pain, cancer, Alzheimer's, etc
- Lifestyle choices - Alcohol, caffeine, smoking
- Environment - Noisy, uncomfortable, or light sleep setting
To improve sleep quality, set up a relaxing
bedtime routine, optimize the
sleep environment, practice
sleep hygiene habits, reduce electronic device use before bedtime, and ask a healthcare provider about sleep medications or hormonal factors influencing sleep.
The experts at
Hormone Care Center also recommend getting
hormone testing to check for imbalances. Hormones like melatonin, cortisol, estrogen and testosterone naturally fluctuate to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Hormonal imbalances can contribute to poor sleep. Their cutting-edge treatments can help restore optimal hormonal balance for better sleep quality and health.