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Can Sleep Deprivation Make You Sick?

Natural Sleep Aids & Tips | Insomnia | Andrew Weil, M.D.

Last year, researchers at Columbia University in New York published an analysis of data from nearly 10, people nationwide collected between and They found that people between the ages of 32 and 49 who slept four hours or less per night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than people who reported sleeping between seven and nine hours per night.

Those who got six hours of sleep were just 23 percent more likely to be substantially overweight.

Natural Sleep Supplements

Sleep deprivation could lead to weight gain by disrupting production of the appetite regulating hormones ghrelin and leptin. Sleep deprivation can also lead to disruptions in the way the body regulates blood sugar, which can result in an increased risk of diabetes. Inflammation now appears to be a major risk factor for heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and even obesity.

A recent review of prescription drug claims of 2. Many factors can contribute to insomnia, including stress. For those suffering from chronic insomnia, the causes are usually more complex and result from a combination of factors, which can include:.

2. Get natural sunlight.

Restful, restorative sleep is fundamental to health and happiness. Stay Connected With Dr. Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Heart High Blood Pressure Treatment. Mental Health Depression Treatment. Sleep Issues Sleep Apnea. Talk to your doctor before you take these, as antihistamines may cause side effects, such as daytime sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, cognitive decline and difficulty urinating, which may be worse in older adults.

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

No matter what your age, insomnia usually is treatable. The key often lies in changes to your routine during the day and when you go to bed.

Natural Sleep Aids & Tips

These tips may help. Many people never visit their doctor for insomnia and try to cope with sleeplessness on their own.

Although in many cases safety and effectiveness have not been proved, some people try therapies such as:. Because the Food and Drug Administration does not mandate that manufacturers show proof of effectiveness or safety before marketing dietary supplement sleep aids, talk with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements or other OTC products. Some products can be harmful and some can cause harm if you're taking certain medications. If you're having sleep problems, you'll likely start by talking to your primary care doctor. Ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as keep a sleep diary.

Take your bed partner along, if possible. Your doctor may want to talk to your partner to learn more about how much and how well you're sleeping. Insomnia care at Mayo Clinic.

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Diagnosis Depending on your situation, the diagnosis of insomnia and the search for its cause may include: If the cause of insomnia is unknown, your doctor may do a physical exam to look for signs of medical problems that may be related to insomnia. Occasionally, a blood test may be done to check for thyroid problems or other conditions that may be associated with poor sleep.

In addition to asking you sleep-related questions, your doctor may have you complete a questionnaire to determine your sleep-wake pattern and your level of daytime sleepiness.

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You may also be asked to keep a sleep diary for a couple of weeks. If the cause of your insomnia isn't clear, or you have signs of another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, you may need to spend a night at a sleep center. Tests are done to monitor and record a variety of body activities while you sleep, including brain waves, breathing, heartbeat, eye movements and body movements.

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.