Sleep disorders can occur in people of all ages and can cause debilitating side effects if left untreated. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that their health problems may be a direct result of a disorder. In many cases, medicine isn’t enough to treat their illness.
Some sleeping disorders need to be treated by a recognized sleep disorder center. If too much sleep or a lack of it is preventing you from functioning or pursuing activities that you enjoy, then keep reading. We’ll discuss some of the most common disorders and how they can be treated.
More than 100 different disorders of sleeping and waking have been identified and grouped in four main categories: 1) Problems with falling and staying asleep, 2) Problems with staying awake, 3) Problems with adhering to a regular sleep schedule, and 4) Sleep-disruptive behaviors. Insomnia includes any combination of difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, intermittent wakefulness and early-morning awakening.
Episodes may be transient, short-term, or chronic. Insomnia can have associated health problems, such as anxiety disorders. The most common factors that contribute to insomnia include a poor sleeping environment, caffeine, certain medications, illness, heavy smoking and daytime napping.
If you’re having trouble staying awake or experience excessive daytime sleepiness, then you could be suffering from hypersomnias. Hypersomnias include apneas, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome. Apnea can cause breathing to stop intermittently during sleep, resulting in the person being awakened repeatedly.
Narcolepsy is a condition of daytime sleep attacks despite adequate sleep at night. A person with narcolepsy may suddenly fall asleep in any situation, without warning. Restless leg syndrome is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation, usually in the legs, that occurs primarily at night and when a person is relaxed. The uncomfortable sensation diminishes when the legs are moved.
Sleep disorders can also occur when a consistent sleep and wake schedule is disrupted. This often occurs when traveling between times zones and with shift workers on rotating schedules, particularly nighttime workers. Its disruptive behaviors are abnormal behaviors during sleep and are fairly common in children but are also experienced by adults.
They include night terrors, sleep walking and REM sleep behavior disorder. Symptoms of these disorders include difficulty falling asleep, fatigue, loud snoring, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.
Simple things like reducing your caffeine intake, avoiding sweets and practicing relaxation techniques like yoga can help you to enjoy a better night of sleep. However, some sleep disorders will require medical attention. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and find out more about the treatments available.
You may be referred to a specialist who can perform tests and determine which course of treatment is best for you. This may include a combination of medication, lifestyle changes and using enhancing apparatus. Regardless of the technique, a good night’s sleep is priceless.