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Chinese Medicine Links Liver Disease with Insomnia
Looking to Traditional Chinese Medicine helps explain why someone with liver disease keeps waking in the middle of the night – and also provides insight on how to slumber soundly.
To qualify as a productive, emotionally stable and capable human being, sleep is an absolute necessity. Unfortunately, many of us are not getting enough sleep. A complete system of healthcare that has been helping people achieve wellness for over 2,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes several reasons why those with a liver condition might be particularly vulnerable to insomnia.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 to 70 million Americans adults have a sleep or wakefulness disorder. Although liver disease is frequently asymptomatic, insomnia is one of the more frequently reported complaints. Healthcare providers often see people with liver disease having difficulty sleeping between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. – a scenario that is justified by TCM theory.
When referring to the liver in Western medicine, it is understood that the physical organ is implied. However, referring to the liver in TCM encompasses much more. In accordance with TCM, the ‘liver’ refers to an entire system that may include:
- The liver organ
- The liver meridian (pathway)
- Liver patterns
- Liver-related emotions
Waking in the Middle of the Night
We spend a third of our lives sleeping; at least that proportion of sleep-to-wake time is what is considered ideal. However, waking in the middle of the night interferes with the deepest, most restorative stage of sleep. According to TCM theory, sleep is a result of the natural rhythm of energy circulation that shifts in two-hour intervals:
- The body energy clock describes when the body’s qi (energy) moves through different organ systems.
- During sleep, qi is drawn inward to restore the body.
- At 11 p.m., the yin qi (passive, receptive energy) is at its strongest. This is the ideal time for the body to return to enter a deep restful state.
- Between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., blood and energy (qi) are strongest in the liver organ and its energetic network. Therefore, sleeping during this time is critical for the liver to be able to function optimally.
Besides those working a swing shift or needing to get up and use a restroom, TCM practitioners describe several different reasons people wake up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.:
- Toxins are ineffectively processed during the liver’s most active time. Thus, those with chronic liver disease may have trouble sleeping between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
- There is an additional toxin load to be processed in those who drink alcohol. Thus, many who have been drinking have trouble sleeping between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
- Emotions such as anger, frustration and rage impair the liver’s ability to function smoothly. Thus, those with unresolved anger, frustration or rage may have trouble sleeping between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Lifestyle Adjustments to Improve Liver Health
When working to improve sleep in patients who wake between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., TCM practitioners’ goals are to improve the health of the entire liver system. Besides performing acupuncture and prescribing herbal formulae, they are likely to counsel patients on the following lifestyle adjustments that improve liver health:
- Nutrition – Avoid foods that are harmful to the liver system, such fried foods, fatty foods, alcohol, excessive caffeine and excessive dairy. Include foods beneficial to the liver system, such as oatmeal, rye bread, lima beans, cashews, zucchini, arugula, green beans, lemons, limes and avocados.
- Stress Relief – Take a break from stress and mental work by stretching, breathing, walking, laughing or creating. Practicing yoga, taking a bike ride, spending a day in the mountains, singing in a choir, playing a game or taking an art class are all great ways to shift the mind to a more relaxed, open place.
- Physical Activity – Exercising regularly (in the daytime) at a moderate intensity keeps blood and energy moving freely through the liver – a necessity for liver cell function and repair. However, avoid over-strenuous exercise and stop if you become exhausted.
- Release Stuck Emotions – Repressed rage, anger and frustration impair liver health, so finding ways to release these emotions is crucial. The longer these emotions are held in, the more harm they could cause the liver. If self-expression or relaxation does not help, working with a professional therapist can help release these feelings.
Everyone wants to sleep well because we feel our best on a good night’s rest. The body has many jobs to perform while we slumber away – with the liver being on duty from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. Those with chronic liver disease may have to work a bit harder than those with a healthy liver to sleep though the night, but it is possible… and worth it! The knowledge gleaned from Traditional Chinese Medicine helps put the liver’s relationship with insomnia in perspective. In addition, this knowledge also prioritizes nutrition, stress relief, exercise and the release of pent-up emotions to facilitate deep sleep between the late hours of 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
http://naturmend.com/2013/04/09/the-connection-between-sleep-and-the-liver/, The Connection Between Sleep and the Liver, Tracy Thiessen, Retrieved May 23, 2015, naturmend.com, 2014.
http://wellness.mcuniverse.com/2011/the-chinese-body-clock-why-do-i-feel-differently-at-different-hours-of-the-day/, The Chinese Body Clock: Why do I feel differently at different hours of the day?, Marlies, Retrieved May 23, 2014, Wellness McUniverse, 2014.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/, Insufficient Sleep is a Public Health Epidemic, Retrieved May 23, 2014, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014.
http://www.naturalnews.com/027916_liver_health_Chinese_medicine.html#, Chinese Clock Holds Key to Liver Health, Melissa Sokulski, Retrieved May 23, 2014, Natural News Network, 2014.
https://www.liversupport.com/nightcaps-insomnia-and-liver-disease/, Conquering Insomnia, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved May 23, 2014, Natural Wellness, 2014.
http://www.tcmpage.com/hpinsomnia.html, TCM and Insomnia, Wei Liu, MPH, LAc, Changzhen Gong, PhD, MS, Retrieved May 23, 2014, American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 2014.
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/576641-ancient-wisdom-for-healthy-sleep-part-2/, Ancient Wisdom for Healthy Sleep (Part 2), Jingduan Yang, MD, Retrieved May 23, 2014, Epoch Times, 2014.
http://www.yinyanghouse.com/practitioner_members/general-acupuncture/my-liver-what, My Liver is What?, Chad Dupuis, Retrieved May 23, 2014, Yin Yang House, 2014.
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/21-ways-to-improve-your-liver-health, 21 Ways to Improve Your Liver Health, Carrie Demers, MD, Retrieved May 23, 2014, Yoga International, 2014.
About the Author
Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., MTCM is a long time advocate of integrating perspectives on health. With a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute, Nicole has been a licensed acupuncturist since 2000. She has gathered acupuncture licenses in the states of California and New York, is a certified specialist with the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, has earned diplomat status with the National Commission of Chinese and Oriental Medicine in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology. In addition to her acupuncture practice that focuses on stress and pain relief, digestion, immunity and oncology, Nicole contributes to the integration of healthcare by writing articles for professional massage therapists and people living with liver disease.
Test shows Hepatitis C Ab antibody…What is next, no liver damage nor scars. Do the vitamins and herbs cover this aliment? I will not take into my body, the Cocktail / Interferon, I do not know the Viral Load number. Please comment if you have this condition or similar. If so, what are you doing for treatment. Thank you
I have lived with hepatitis C for 20 years now (diagnosed 10 yrs). Still have normal LFT and very minimal liver damage. I have followed a herbal regime since diagnosis. There are many fantastic herbs which can protect your liver both through this website and also google Lloyd Wright. Stay Well 🙂
HAHA. Lloyd is a scam artist promoting crap. His dosages and absorption rate of the products wouldn’t help a newborn baby. He caters to people like you who are ignorant about supplements and follow whatever they hear on he internet.
As a former pharmacy employee, medical researcher, homeopathic user, and nutrition-er, CNA, and dental assistant I have lived with Hep C for 33 years due to a bad blood transfusion. I almost died from it a few years ago from it and refused treatment. I worked on my self through the immune system, and just plain listening to my body. This year I have done the new regimen pill that was approved for 12 weeks and and for the first time my viral load is non existence. ( I was going into liver failure and my blood quit clotting) It does work and I do encourage you to try it. The damage is still there (stage 4) with scarring (that’s what the virus does) but I am on some very successful regimens that are natural that have been proven to work. I am now detoxing the chemicals from my body and on my way to success. After much research and trial and error, I have found that the combo seems to work as it takes many years to damage. I have found that herbs work in preventive but don’t eradicate the virus itself and the virus DOES eventually effect other organs of the body eventually. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Blessings
Tank you for sharing your story ! I’m looking for some people who taking that treatment , how they doing after and what side effects are then. 15 years ago I find out I have Hep C and Doctor push me to try that treatment. Are you live in Canada?
Great! I would be happy to speak with you! I have so much to share. Email me through my Facebook page A World of Heaven and click on about.. you can message me there and we can e-mail. I live in the states. too bad..
I live in U.S. I had no side effects taking Harvoni.
I have had Hep C for 36 years (diagnosed 16 years ago) and took Harvoni for 8 weeks as the ins. co. would not agree to the full 12 week treatment. After waiting 3 months to have my blood tested, I found, much to my dismay, that the Harvoni treatment did not work. What do I do now?
Hi
I was interested to read
about your experience with hepatitis C.
I also contracted the virus
about 30 years ago and have liver cirrhosis. I did clear the virus about a year
ago using one of the new drugs Subsurvir.
However doctors still think
I will need a liver transplant at some point.
In myself I feel I am
getting stronger and more energetic (slowly but surely).
Are you in line for a liver transplant?
Best wishes
Dan
dan.graham47@yahoo.com
I am living with Hepatitis B, I just started taking treatment for three month now (adefovir) tablets which is described to me by my India doctor in my country but am a little worry when i read about the side effect of the drug. I just want to know if the drug you are using is also recommended for hepatitis B. Secondly do not have normal sleep most time i stay awake long time in the night please I’m kindly asking for how what i can do to bring me a solution to this abnormal sleeping time.
Hello! the drug i am used Solvaldi is not recommended for Hep B . Hep B is a different acting hepatic inflation and Solvadi targets the specific virus. All virus are very specific in their composition so there is now one size fits all like antibiotics for bacterial infections. Yes the side effects can be harsh, as the liver is a very sensitive and complex organ. Everything we eat and drink gets processed there. As for the sleep issue, When I went through treatment my sleeping to was awful. I noticed though that what I ate and rank at night greatly effected my illness and treatment. I am still careful and and still have issues sometimes. No carbs, sugar or dairy at night, eat dinner early, and nothing but water. That helped. Blessings
Here is an update since my treatment. It has been one year now and still FREE! I have been working on myself since the treatment and get better all the time. I am optimistic about my recovery and the changes I have done. If anyone has some questions they would like to ask about my treatment, please feel free to contact me at aworldofheaven@yahoo.com. I will try to help as much as I can. I can only recommend what worked for me. Blessings.