Sleep Disorders

A lot of women experience poor quality sleep during IVF treatments due to hormonal fluctuations. After pregnancy, hormone changes affect sleep as well. And unfortunately, getting a good night's sleep is even more impossible for postpartum women. With breastfeeding and fatigue, it is easy to develop postpartum depression. 

Sleep disorders encompass difficulties such as difficulty falling asleep, feeling tired upon waking up, and waking up frequently during the night. In TCM, these issues are believed to be related to the disharmony of Qi and blood among the five viscera, with the heart, liver, and kidneys being closely associated.

The heart governs consciousness and is closely related to one's thinking, memory, and the autonomic nervous system. Excessive worrying leads to the loss of nourishment to the heart, resulting in vivid dreams at night.

The kidneys govern the brain, associated with the endocrine system and immunity. Kidney deficiency leads to frequent waking at night and difficulty returning to sleep.

The liver stores blood and governs emotions. Liver qi stagnation causes chest tightness and shortness of breath, disrupting sleep. When blood fails to return to the liver, changing positions during sleep becomes difficult.

The stomach isn't suitable for eating late at night, leading to discomfort and restlessness. Blood circulation is active in the stomach during digestion, and lying flat may cause gastroesophageal reflux, preventing sleep.

Other factors such as allergic nasal congestion, colds, or other conditions can also interfere with sleep.

TCM often employs charred jujube seeds to treat restlessness due to gallbladder deficiency, heart palpitations, and insomnia caused by sweating. IVF patients often experience anxiety, which can be alleviated by these jujube seeds. For women with deficient Qi, blood, and cold extremities, dry longan fruit can tonify the spleen, nourish the blood, and benefit the brain. For individuals with irritability and restlessness, licorice, wheat, and jujube decoction can nourish the heart, alleviate restlessness, and calm the mind. However, it is not recommended for those with gastroesophageal reflux. When combined, the herbs, Cyperus and Poria, can tonify the heart and kidneys, treating liver depression and Qi stagnation, emotional depression or irritability, nervous tension, and neurogenic pain such as headaches, rib pain, and lower abdominal cold pain. Some individuals with symptoms of excessive heart fire benefit from an herbal dedoction, also called Coptis Decoction, to soothe the heart, alleviate restlessness, and strengthen the stomach.

In summary, the symptoms and causes of sleep disorders vary among patients. If sleep disturbances persist and affect daily life, it is recommended to seek medical advice.