sleepMany individuals have their sleep affected by a variety of factors and are always looking for ways to help increase their sleep or get a better night's sleep. Factors can be internal or internal meaning sleep is affected by issues within the body or outside factors. Lack of sleep can affect mood, be dangerous resulting in accidents, increase risk of diabetes, and many other effects.

Anxiety or Pain

Those who experience pain or anxiety can have their sleep affected. Psychological conditions can disturb sleep due to racing thoughts, worrying about health, or the health of a loved one. Pain can affect sleep due to the discomfort caused by pain. People with chronic pain do not get a lot of sleep and often have broken sleep as they are trying to manage their pain and get comfortable. The amount of pain one experiences can affect the quality of sleep.

Caffeine Intake

The amount of caffeine you drink throughout the day can affect sleep. Tossing and turning throughout the night and feeling like you are wide awake is a result of drinking too much caffeine. Instead of drinking that espresso, coffee or soda, grab some water with a slice of lemon. Also, drinking caffeine at night will give you a burst of energy, reducing the amount of sleep you get at night. This can also take place with eating before bed, though on a smaller level. When your body is working to digest food, it is not resting as fully as it otherwise could, and your body is getting energy from the food that it has no outlet for. This can also lead to weight gain as your body has no immediate energy outlet other than to turn the energy into fat. So, if you’re feeling hungry or thirsty close to bedtime, water is your best bet, and only in small amounts to prevent waking up for a midnight bathroom break.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing stops and stops throughout the night. Symptoms of sleep apnea may be snoring loudly even if you get a good night's sleep. Excessive daytime drowsiness, nightmares, and breathing through the mouth can be caused by sleep apnea. A CPAP Machine that gives Continuous positive airway pressure which is extra air given to the respiratory tract can help provide those with sleep apnea with a good night's sleep. The machine has a nosepiece and a hose to the machine to provide air to the patient. It’s important to get CPAP accessories along with the machine to ensure the machine stays clean and properly functioning. Working closely with the doctor to receive the proper CPAP machine fit is important to ensure you are getting the best treatment possible.
Sleep deprivation occurs in over seventy percent of adults throughout their lifetime. Taking a step back and looking at your daily lifestyle and routine is important to help rectify why you are not getting a lot of sleep. Visiting a doctor and making some lifestyle changes can help with getting a good night's sleep.

Author's Bio: 

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure.