Lexilife

Sleep is the one thing that humans cannot live without for any period of time.  Even more so than water or food, the body will shut down if it is deprived of sleep over extended periods of time. Dr. William Dement writes that “most of us have the idea that sleep is a cessation of all activity, an oblivion we slip into where nothing happens.” In fact, this is far from the truth. Dr. Dement explains that “During sleep the brain releases new combinations of hormones and chemical messengers that stimulate cellular activity throughout the body… the sleeping brain actually appears to be more active than it is while awake.

Adults generally need   7-9 hours of sleep a night. As we age, we enjoy less deep sleep. Why?  In most people, it’s because our hormones become depleted. Melatonin, growth hormone, cortisol, thyroid, estrogens, progesterone and testosterone can all play major roles in our sleep quantity and quality. Therefore, keeping your hormones balanced is a must. In addition to hormones, you need to eat and drink right, exercise regularly, (early in the day) and establish a bedtime routine for good sleep habits. Finally, your brain needs to be in good health. Out of balance neurotransmitters can have a huge impact on your sleep patterns.

At LexiLife, clinicians evaluate your sleep habits, perform a physical exam and conduct all necessary tests to determine what might be causing your sleep problems. Using their experience and lab test results, they will develop a “sleep correction program” specifically designed for you. Usually the program includes bioavailable hormones, brain supplements, diet and lifestyle changes. Many people have become dependent upon sleep medications for sleep. Unfortunately, these medications usually do not provide the deep “REM” sleep necessary to keep you functioning at peak performance. They come to LexiLife looking for alternatives. LexiLife practitioners have found that treating patients using natural methods provides better quality sleep over extended periods of time which leads to a healthier life. As a result, patients are able to wean themselves off sleep medications.

If you have any further questions regarding sleep issues and treatments, click on the Ask Dr. Parker button and ask your questions. Someone will respond via e-mail with no obligation from you.