Sleep is the foundation of health. Yet millions of Americans lie awake each night wondering why they can't fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone—and it’s not “just stress” or “aging.” At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics in St. Louis, we take a functional medicine approach to sleep, identifying and treating the deeper root causes behind your restless nights.

Let’s explore the most common reasons why people struggle to sleep and what you can do about it.

The Importance of Quality Sleep

Sleep is not just about getting through the night—it’s when your body performs essential repair and restoration. Deep sleep enhances memory consolidation, hormone regulation, detoxification, immune function, and even weight management. Without it, fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, hormone imbalances, and chronic inflammation are almost guaranteed.

If you’re not getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night, there’s a reason—and our job is to help you find it.

Top Reasons You Might Have Trouble Sleeping

1. Cortisol Imbalance or Stress Overload

Cortisol, your main stress hormone, follows a natural rhythm: high in the morning and low at night. Chronic stress, however, can flatten or reverse this curve, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you feel “tired but wired” at night, this could be the issue.

At our clinic, we often use salivary cortisol testing to assess your adrenal rhythm and recommend natural strategies such as adaptogenic herbs, magnesium glycinate, and guided breathwork to support balance.

Related: What Is Functional Medicine?

2. Blood Sugar Fluctuations

A surprisingly common cause of nighttime wake-ups is unstable blood sugar. If your blood sugar drops too low overnight, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol—waking you up with a racing heart or restlessness.

A protein-rich dinner and targeted nutrients like chromium and magnesium can help stabilize blood sugar overnight. We also help patients identify hidden insulin resistance through advanced testing.

3. Hormonal Imbalances

Sleep issues often worsen during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause due to shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Progesterone is naturally calming and helps initiate sleep, so low levels can lead to insomnia.

In men, low testosterone or high cortisol may also contribute to poor sleep quality. A full hormone panel helps us uncover imbalances and guide personalized hormone support plans.

4. Gut-Brain Imbalance

Did you know that most of your body’s serotonin and melatonin are produced in the gut? If you have dysbiosis (gut bacteria imbalance), leaky gut, or inflammation in the GI tract, it can interfere with neurotransmitter production and sleep cycles.

We often run advanced stool testing and food sensitivity panels to restore gut health and improve sleep from the inside out.

Explore more: The Gut-Immune-Hormone Connection

5. Environmental or Behavioral Triggers

Sometimes the issue is more subtle—but still powerful. Common culprits include:

• Blue light exposure from screens before bed
• Caffeine consumed too late in the day
• Poor sleep hygiene (inconsistent sleep/wake times)
• EMF exposure or light pollution in the bedroom

We offer simple but effective lifestyle strategies that can retrain your circadian rhythm and promote restorative sleep naturally.

How We Help Patients in St. Louis Sleep Better

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we don’t believe in masking your symptoms with sleeping pills. Instead, we take a full-body, root-cause approach using our functional medicine model. Here’s what to expect:

1. In-Depth Consultation

We explore your health history, lifestyle, nutrition, stressors, and environment to uncover what’s affecting your sleep.

2. Advanced Lab Testing

We may test for:

• Adrenal and cortisol patterns
• Sex hormone and thyroid levels
• Blood sugar regulation
• Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., magnesium, B6)
• Gut health and inflammation markers

3. Personalized Treatment Plan

Your protocol may include:

• Nutritional changes to support blood sugar and circadian rhythm
• Mitochondrial support (e.g., CoQ10, magnesium threonate, PQQ)
• Melatonin, magnesium glycinate, or glycine at night
• Herbal adaptogens like ashwagandha or L-theanine
• Sleep hygiene coaching and circadian-aligned routines
• Optional use of red light or PEMF therapy for relaxation

We also support patients with telemedicine options, so whether you’re in St. Louis or beyond, quality care is within reach.

Restful Sleep Is Possible

If you’ve tried everything—from melatonin gummies to white noise apps—and still can’t get a good night’s sleep, it’s time to go deeper. Functional medicine can help you uncover the true reasons behind your sleep disturbances and guide you back to balance—without dependency on medications.

📞 Call 314-842-1441 to schedule your consultation
💻 Learn more at www.sheenveinandcosmetics.com

Stop guessing why you can’t sleep. Start sleeping better—with a root-cause plan made just for you.

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