Almost everyone experiences a restless night here and there. But for many patients I see in my St. Louis practice, trouble sleeping isn’t an occasional nuisance—it’s a nightly struggle. Poor sleep affects more than just energy levels. Over time, it can contribute to weight gain, memory problems, hormonal imbalance, and increased risk of chronic disease.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we take a whole-person approach to uncovering why patients have trouble sleeping at night and develop strategies that address the root causes.

The Importance of Healthy Sleep

Sleep is when the body repairs itself—hormones are regulated, the brain processes memories, and cells undergo repair. Adults generally need 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night. When this doesn’t happen, the body and mind begin to show signs of strain.

Common Reasons for Trouble Sleeping

1. Stress and Anxiety

Stress is one of the most frequent culprits for sleep disruption. Elevated cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone) make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Patients often describe “racing thoughts” that keep them awake long past bedtime.

2. Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. This leads to poor oxygenation, frequent awakenings, and daytime fatigue. Many patients don’t even realize they wake up multiple times a night. Treatments like laser therapy for sleep apnea can open the airway and reduce these interruptions.

3. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones such as melatonin, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones play critical roles in regulating sleep. Low estrogen during menopause, low testosterone in men, or thyroid dysfunction can all disrupt normal sleep cycles.

4. Poor Sleep Hygiene

Lifestyle habits often interfere with healthy sleep. Examples include:

• Excessive screen time before bed
• Irregular sleep schedules
• Late-night caffeine or alcohol consumption
• Sleeping in a noisy or bright environment

5. Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of magnesium, vitamin D, and B vitamins can interfere with melatonin production and the nervous system’s ability to relax. Through our functional medicine program, we frequently test for these deficiencies and correct them.

6. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

For some patients, the urge to move their legs at night makes falling asleep nearly impossible. RLS is often linked to iron or dopamine imbalances and can be addressed through a root-cause medical evaluation.

7. Underlying Medical Conditions

Chronic pain, acid reflux, thyroid disorders, and depression can all interfere with sleep. Identifying and managing these conditions often improves sleep dramatically.

How Trouble Sleeping Affects Health

Poor sleep does more than cause daytime grogginess. Long-term sleep disruption has been linked to:

• High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
• Insulin resistance and weight gain
• Memory decline and increased dementia risk
• Lowered immunity
• Increased inflammation and pain sensitivity

This is why addressing sleep isn’t just about feeling rested—it’s about protecting long-term health.

Strategies to Improve Sleep

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we help patients restore healthy sleep through a combination of lifestyle, functional medicine, and advanced therapies.

At-Home Changes

• Create a bedtime routine: Going to bed and waking up at the same time daily helps regulate circadian rhythm.
• Limit screen time: Turn off devices at least an hour before bed to avoid blue light disrupting melatonin production.
• Set the right environment: A cool, dark, and quiet bedroom makes falling asleep easier.
• Limit stimulants: Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m. and minimize alcohol, which fragments sleep.

Medical and Functional Medicine Support

• Nutrient repletion: Correcting deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin D, and other nutrients.
• Hormone balancing: Addressing thyroid dysfunction, low testosterone, or menopausal changes.
• Stress management: Incorporating breathing techniques, meditation, or adaptogenic herbs.
• Treating sleep apnea: For patients with breathing-related issues, therapies like CPAP or laser airway tightening can be transformative.

Advanced Therapies

• Red Light Therapy with PEMF: Improves mitochondrial function, reduces inflammation, and may support circadian rhythm balance.
• PRP/PRF therapies and regenerative medicine: While not directly for sleep, optimizing cellular health improves overall wellness, which often leads to better sleep.

When to Seek Medical Help

You should seek professional evaluation if you:

• Struggle with sleep at least three nights per week for more than a month
• Wake up gasping or choking
• Have persistent fatigue despite 7–8 hours in bed
• Experience restless legs, severe stress, or hormonal symptoms interfering with sleep

Final Thoughts

Trouble sleeping at night is not something you should simply “live with.” Whether it’s stress, hormonal imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, or conditions like sleep apnea, there is always an underlying reason worth uncovering.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we specialize in identifying and addressing the root causes of poor sleep so our patients can feel rested, energized, and healthier overall.

👉 Call our office today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward better sleep and better health.

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