Fom trouble falling asleep to consistently waking up throughout the night, sleep impairment can have a major impact on how well you feel and function in your daily life. Here at Quality Primary Care in Rockville, Maryland, board-certified physician, Suresh Malik, MD, and the rest of the teams understand the detrimental impact that sleep problems can have on your physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.
The factors that can contribute to sleep problems can be very diverse, from lifestyle habits to psychological factors to physiological conditions. This blog aims to shed light on the common causes of sleep impairment and present treatment options that can guide you back to the world of dreams.
Insomnia isn't just about difficulty falling asleep; it also includes struggling to stay asleep or waking up too early. Other issues, such as sleep apnea and circadian rhythm disorders, can also disrupt sleep quality and quantity and contribute to sleep impairment.
At Quality Primary Care, we offer comprehensive evaluations to identify the nature of your sleep disorder. With a correct diagnosis, we can provide a range of tailored treatments to help you sleep better.
Having poor sleep hygiene, such as not having a regular sleep schedule, eating heavy meals before bedtime, or exposing yourself to screens late into the night, can also sabotage sleep. These factors can disrupt your body's internal clock or circadian rhythm, which can lead to disturbed sleep.
We prioritize educating our patients on good sleep hygiene, and we encourage our patients to adopt healthier lifestyle habits that can improve their sleep. For example, we may recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule, making dietary adjustments, and implementing a wind-down routine before bed.
Stress, anxiety, and depression are psychological issues that can rob you of restful sleep. They often create a cyclical relationship with sleep impairment, with each issue exacerbating the other.
We offer resources and therapies that can help you with any mental health issues you may have. For example, we may recommend learning stress management techniques and undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy. By treating these underlying issues, you may be able to alleviate your sleep problems as well.
An uncomfortable bed, a noisy room, or a too-bright space can all contribute to poor sleep. Optimizing your sleeping environment can significantly improve your sleep quality.
We offer practical advice tailored to your individual needs that can help you create a conducive sleeping environment. Simple adjustments, such as investing in a high-quality mattress, using blackout curtains, or keeping the bedroom cool, can all make a significant difference in sleep quality.
When you see us, our team will give you a thorough evaluation, which will encompass your lifestyle, dietary habits, daily routines, psychological factors, and physiological issues. Then we’ll design a customized treatment plan. No two people are alike, so the plan we give you will be tailored exactly to your needs.
For example, we may recommend getting regular exercise, consuming a caffeine-free diet, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. In some cases, we may suggest undergoing a sleep study, so we can better understand the root cause of your sleep impairment.
We may also recommend other resources, such as medications, which can be helpful in providing temporary relief. No matter your situation, our team will consider all factors and design a treatment plan to help you get the quality sleep you need.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, we can help. To learn more, call 301-762-7723 or book an appointment online with Quality Primary Care today.
