Sleep is an essential part of overall health. Logically, we all know and understand that. Unfortunately, the reality of getting enough sleep is difficult for many. Whether you struggle to fall asleep, work long hours, cannot stay asleep, or are too absorbed in Netflix to turn off the TV and hit the sack, many factors can impact your sleep cycle.

The thyroid is a small organ in the body that can have a significant impact on your sleep patterns! Located at the base of the neck, the thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ. It is crucial in the role of hormone production in the body. When the thyroid experiences dysfunction, it impacts the entire body. This dysfunction can happen through a number of ways, leading to hormonal imbalances.

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Symptoms of Thyroid Hormone Imbalance

Typically, thyroid imbalances develop slowly. This can make them difficult to diagnose at times. At first, people may notice they feel more tired than usual, or are gaining weight — both easily attributed to other factors. However, as the dysfunction progresses, other more pressing symptoms may arise. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hypothyroidism (under active thyroid), include:

  • Fatigue
  • Increased sensitivity to cold
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Weight gain
  • Puffy face
  • Hoarseness
  • Muscle weakness
  • Elevated blood cholesterol level
  • Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
  • Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
  • Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
  • Thinning hair
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Depression
  • Impaired memory

Also according to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) include:

 

  • Sudden weight loss, even when your appetite and the amount and type of food you eat remain the same or even increase
  • Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — commonly more than 100 beats a minute — irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or pounding of your heart (palpitations)
  • Increased appetite
  • Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
  • Tremor — usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers
  • Sweating
  • Changes in menstrual patterns
  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements
  • An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck
  • Fatigue, muscle weakness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Skin thinning
  • Fine, brittle hair

If you find yourself suffering from any of the above mentioned symptoms and suspect your thyroid may be in a state of dysfunction, it is time to seek help and answers! Drs. Chris and Krystal Hohn at Pure Health Clinic in Howell, Michigan can help. By performing a thorough evaluation, they can help determine if and how chiropractic may help boost your thyroid function and restore your body to it’s optimal state. Contact Pure Health Clinic today at (517) 579-2537!

The Thyroid Sleep Connection

If your thyroid is in a state of dysfunction, it can impact more than just the hormones in your body. It can also disrupt your sleep. Unfortunately, the thyroid and sleep are in a cyclical relationship. Poor sleep can negatively impact the thyroid, and the thyroid can negatively impact your chances of quality sleep.

Here are 3 ways that sleep patterns can impact your thyroid!

1. Weight. Thyroid imbalances can make it difficult to lose weight. If you add in poor sleep habits, you are truly facing an uphill battle in maintaining a healthy weight or attempting to lose a few extra pounds. Lack of sleep is associated with inability to lose excess fat. If you know you are struggling with thyroid issues, do your best to make sleep a top priority in your life. Try to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night in order to help your body rest and reset each evening.

2. Insomnia. Poor sleep, even just for one night, can often create bad sleep habits. For example, you decided to stay up late on Sunday night watching “just one more” episode, which quickly turned into 8 more episodes, and before you know it, it’s 3am and you have a 7am meeting on Monday. On Monday, you are dragging throughout your meetings and job, and so you come home and immediately crash on the couch, only to wake up at 7pm from a nap you didn’t mean to take. And then guess what? You can’t fall asleep that night, and so the next day, the pattern starts all over again. In order to break this vicious cycle, you must establish healthy sleep habits! A regular bedtime, turning off screens at least 30 minutes before bed, and relaxing with some meditation or herbal tea before bed can all help.

Chiropractic care is another powerful way to battle insomnia. Having a properly aligned spine allows your nervous system to function as it should. A properly functioning nervous system helps the body perform every function, including the ability to settle into deep sleep! Contact Pure Health Clinic today for your consultation and appointment. Drs. Chris and Krystal Hohn can evaluate your spine and identify any subluxations that may be present and adding to your thyroid and sleep woes.

3. Blood Sugar. Thyroid disturbances have been scientifically linked to blood sugar issues. These can lead to insulin resistance or even hypoglycemia! When the amount and quality of our sleep decreases, our body loses its ability to rest, reset, and heal itself. Chiropractic can help!

Pure Health Clinic Can Help

At Pure Health Clinic, Drs. Chris and Krystal Hohn care about treating the patient’s whole body, not just the spine. As experts in the chiropractic field, they know and understand the amazing connection between the spine, nervous system, and the rest of the body.

Through chiropractic adjustments, Drs. Hohn can identify and correct any misalignments in the spine. These misalignments may be contributing to poor sleep or even thyroid imbalances. By having a properly aligned spine, the body’s nervous system is able to function as it should. This means the body can harness its innate ability to heal itself!

Chiropractic offers patients a safe, natural, and effective way to treat many of life’s ailments. It also offers incredible ways to promote wellness before issues arise!

Contact Pure Health Clinic today at (517) 579-2537!