8. Sleep Disorders: The Nightmarish Reality of Restless Nights
If you find yourself staring at the ceiling night after night, or waking up even more exhausted than when you hit the sack, you’re not alone. Sleep disorders are often brushed off as a byproduct of modern life.
But when you’re battling Cushing’s syndrome, a disrupted sleep pattern isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a major symptom. Sleeplessness leads to a vicious cycle, where a lack of sleep exacerbates other symptoms, making effective treatment even more complicated.
The relationship between cortisol and sleep is like that of two dance partners out of sync. Cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day, peaking in the early morning and tapering off by nightfall.
In a body bombarded by excessive cortisol, this natural rhythm is thrown out the window. You’ll often find that falling asleep becomes a struggle, and staying asleep is even harder. Restorative sleep seems like a distant dream, pushing you further into the rabbit hole of fatigue and emotional instability.
A lack of sleep does more than make you cranky; it affects your judgment, reaction time, and even your heart health. The sleep deprivation caused by Cushing’s syndrome isn’t a standalone issue; it ties into and amplifies other symptoms.
Poor sleep affects your mood, making you more susceptible to emotional swings. It also impacts your physical health, including your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. In short, the repercussions are manifold and interconnected, making sleep disorders a key symptom requiring prompt intervention. (8)
