Have you every experienced sleepwalking or night terrors? Many people have experienced these sleeping disorders at one time in their lives. Perhaps after going too long without sleep or while suffering from a very bad flu or other illness. However, there are nearly a hundred different types of sleep disorder and many people struggle with them for their entire lives. Some of these problems are easy to treat if only the person suffering from them takes the time to seek help. Others can be a little more difficult to treat and might turn out that major lifestyle changes are required. Still other sleep disorders can be very dangerous for the person suffering from them or even other people around them. Sleeping disorders are serious medical problems and if you suspect you might have a problem with sleep, then it is essential that you talk to a medical provider about it.
Sometimes discovering you have a sleeping disorder can be a difficult process to go through. This is because most people don’t realize they have one until it really starts to interfere with their lives. They are too tired during the day to do any of the things they want or need to do. Discovering that the reason for their tiredness is a sleep disorder can sometimes add to their anxiety and depression. This can cause a person to fall into a downward spiral. They can’t sleep and feel depressed and their lives simply seem to fall apart.
Fortunately, there is help out there for those that are suffering from sleeping disorders. The easiest way to find out what kind of disorder you suffer from and what treatment might help, is through the use of polysomnography. This process involves the measurement of many different body functions and takes place while you sleep. With a polysomnogram in hand, your doctor can see your sleep pattern throughout the night. He can see how your breathing and heart rate changed and even how your eye movements changed through the night. Your brain functioning is also displayed. Some of these test can be performed at home, but for the most comprehensive results it is best to visit a sleep clinic that specializes in polysomnography.
Once your doctor understands your sleeping disorder better, he can help you treat it. Some treatment comes in the form of medication, but most will involve some sort of behavioral modification. Your doctor will work closely with you to find the best solution for your particular sleeping disorder. He will probably ask that you schedule regular checkups so that the results of treatment can be assessed and changes can be made, if necessary.
The average person sleeps seven hours each night. Those suffering from sleeping disorders usually only sleep a couple hours each night or alternatively they might sleep many more hours than the average person. When our sleep patterns stray too far from what our body needs, then we start experience many different symptoms. Our immune system functioning can be affected and we may become more vulnerable to disease or sickness.
Many of the sleep disorders out there are a result of lifestyle choices. If you don’t get enough exercise and you have an unhealthy diet then you might be at a greater risk. Smoking and drinking can also exacerbate a sleeping disorder. You might discover that simply living a healthier life will improve your ability to sleep well night after night.