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Insomnia
In Australia 40% of adults struggle with sleep on a regular basis. Lack of sleep due to insomnia or sleep disorders is responsible for fatal injuries at work and on the road and contributes to heart disease and diabetes.
Why sleep is important:
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Sleep regulates our mood and gives our brain a chance to rest. In addition our blood pressure drops while we sleep to decrease pressure on heart and blood vessels and detoxification of toxins that build up in the brain during the day are ‘cleaned up’.
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The brain processes experiences from the day during sleep and consolidates learning.
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The hormones that control hunger and satiation (leptin and ghrelin) are regulated during sleep. When sleep is dysregulated Ghrelin (hunger hormone) becomes more predominant increasing the desire to snack (can lead to weight fluctuations).
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Sleep aids the body to fight viruses and infections by producing defences such as T-cells and proteins. Human Growth hormone is also released during sleep which help repair damaged cells and strengthens muscle and bone.
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Antioxidants are also released which aid the repair of cells, skin damage and reduces inflammation.
How much sleep do we need?
| AGE | SLEEP NEEDED | |
| 4 – 12 months | 12 – 16 hours | Includes all naps |
| 1 – 2 years | 11 – 14 hours | Includes naps |
| 3 – 5 years | 10 – 13 hours | |
| 6 – 12 years | 9 – 12 hours | |
| Teenagers | 8 – 10 hours | Starts later at night and finishes later in the morning. |
| Adults | 7 – 9 hours | Elder adults require less. |
ASA, 2021
Anxiety, trauma, depression can all contribute to insomnia or sleep dysregulation. Identifying the underlying case is the first step to a remedy.
In some cases, insomnia or sleep disorders are caused by brain irritability due to gut issues, inflammatory processes, viral causes, and other illnesses or medications. Insomnia can also be a result of anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, ASD, or other disorders. The location of a disregulation causing a disorder can be identified by QEEG, a 19 channel brainwave recording. The location and type of dysregulation in the brain will determine the type of neurofeedback/neurotherapy that will be of most benefit toward the return of quality sleep.