There are many disorders that are disturbing and are taking over the world. Eating disorder, Bipolar disorder, Anxiety disorder and multiple more. Each one of them has its own place in upsetting a person. While these were doing their thing, another one of their types also decided to play its part. This malignant disorder, known as the sleeping disorder is taking over many youngsters.
A disorder changes the way an individual is living, eating, behaving and sleeping. It affects a person’s overall health and safety and quality of life. Sleep deprivation affects the ability to perform daily tasks such as grasp simple ideas, driving safely and consequently increases the risk of other health problems. There are many types of sleeping disorders, many conditions that are causing them and a few treatments as well which are mentioned here, keep reading.
Identifying Sleeping Disorder
A few evident symptoms of a sleeping disorder are:
- excessive daytime sleepiness.
- irregular breathing.
- increased movement during sleep.
- difficulty falling asleep.
Different Faces In Which Sleep Disorder Might Show Up
There are many different types of sleep disorders. Often grouped into categories. They explain why it is happening or how they affect you. Sleep disorders are grouped according to behaviours.
Such as:
your natural sleep-wake cycles
breathing problems
difficulty sleeping
how sleepy you feel during the day.
Some Common Types Of Sleep Disorders Include:
- Insomnia
It upsets sleep cycles and forces a person staying asleep throughout the night. - Sleep apnea
A person experiences abnormal patterns in breathing while you are asleep. There are several types of sleep apnea. - Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
A sleep movement disorder also called Willis-Ekbom disease. It causes an uncomfortable sensation and an urge to move the legs while you try to fall asleep. - Narcolepsy
A condition characterized by extreme sleeplessness during the night and falling asleep in the daytime.
Causes Of Sleeping Disorders
There are countless factors that cause Sleep problems. Many of them are blended in our regular routine and the chances of identifying them are very slim. The common ones of them include physical, medical, psychiatric, or environmental factors. It is true that sleep disorder is common in people who are age 65 and above. It is becoming significantly common in youngsters now. The causes are different but the end result of all sleep disorders is the same. The body’s natural cycle of slumber and daytime wakefulness is disrupted or exaggerated.
Factors that cause sleep problems are:
- Physical
- Medical, such as asthma.
- Psychological, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
- Environmental
- Short-term or acute insomnia
It is caused by life stresses such as job loss or change, the death of a loved one, illness. Moreover environmental factors such as light, noise, or extreme temperatures. - Long-term or chronic insomnia
Is the one that occurs at least three nights a week for a month or longer. Long term insomnia is caused by factors such as depression, chronic stress, pain or discomfort at night.
A common cause of chronic insomnia is a conditioned emotional response. Thoughts about the sleep problem. For instance, if a person is conscious and thinking “What if I don’t fall asleep tonight?”. Furthermore, behaviours that develop around the sleep problem such as napping frequently tend to maintain insomnia symptoms.
Other factors disturbing sleep included:
Genetics
According to researches, genetics play a very vital role in disorders. Narcolepsy is genetic. It is a neurological disorder of sleep regulation that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness.
Working the night shift
Moreover, the people working at night often experience sleep disorders because they cannot sleep when they start to feel drowsy. When they find time to sleep, it is not usually supported by our brain and our functions and they’re left wide awake in the middle of nowhere. Their activities run contrary to their “biological clocks.”
Medicines
If a person is experiencing any other condition and takes medications for that. It can be a very prominent role in keeping them awake. Many medicines can interfere with sleep.
Ageing
About half of all adults over the age of 65 have some sort of sleep disorder. It is not clear if it is a normal part of ageing or a result of medicines that older people commonly use.
How Are Sleep Disorders Treated?
Treatment for sleep disorders can vary. It depends on the types and causes. However, it generally includes a combination of medical treatments and a change of lifestyle. If a person does not recover, doctors will recommend therapies.
Medical Treatments
Medical treatment includes the following:
- sleeping pills
- melatonin supplements
- allergy or cold medication
- medications for any underlying health issues
- breathing device or surgery
- a dental guard
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle adjustments can greatly improve the quality of sleep and especially when they’re done along with medical treatments. You may want to consider:
- more vegetables and fish into your diet
- reduce sugar intake
- manage stress and anxiety by exercising
- create and stick to a regular sleep schedule
- drink less water before going to bed
- limit your caffeine intake. Especially in the evening
- Decrease tobacco and alcohol.
- Eat smaller low carbohydrate meals before bedtime
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day significantly improves your sleep quality. While you might be tempted to sleep in on the weekends, this certainly will make it more difficult to wake up and fall asleep during the workweek. These happenings will determine how your sleep disorders behave with you. Many people find it difficult to overcome them all by themselves. In these cases, they need proper medical attention and therapies. If you are looking for a therapist for yourself or someone around you, here’s how Marham can help you.
