Sleep Disorders

Certain conditions result in changes in the way you sleep. This condition is termed a sleep disorder. It can affect your overall health, safety, quality of life and can lead to many diseases. Sleep deprivation highly affects your ability to drive safely and makes you more prone to other health problems.

Signs and Symptoms of sleep disorder

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irregular breathing
• Increased movement during sleep
• Irregular sleep and wake cycle
• Difficulty falling asleep.

• Types of sleep disorders

  They're grouped into categories; these categories specify why they happen or how they affect you. Sleep disorders acan be grouped consistent with behaviors, problems with your natural sleep-wake cycles, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping, or how sleepy you are feeling during the day.

  Some common types of sleep disorders include:

  1. Insomnia - In this people observe difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night due to many reasons.
  2. Sleep Apnea - Abnormal breathing patterns while you are asleep.
  3. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) - A type of sleep movement disorder that causes an uncomfortable sensation and an urge to move the legs while you try to fall asleep.
  4. Narcolepsy – It is characterized by extreme sleepiness and falling sudden asleep during the daytime.

  There are different ways to diagnose sleep disorders. Once correctly diagnosed most sleep disorders can be treated effectively.

  Treatment

  Good Sleep Habits

  • Limit your daytime naps
  • Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and caffeine at your bedtime
  • Avoid heavy meals before bedtime
  • Establish a relaxing bedtime routine
  • Going to bed and awakening at an equivalent time a day
  • Making your bedroom quiet, dark, and comfortable for sleep

  Exercise and daily habits

  • Intense exercise
  • 30-minute walk
  • Reduce stress
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Deep breathing exercise
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy

  Breathing Devices

  If you are being diagnosed with sleep apnea you will be prescribed with CPAP machine. It aims at providing continuous positive air pressure so your body gets enough oxygen. This helps in easy breathing and deep sleep.

  Drugs

  Sleep disorders drugs differ as per your symptoms. It also depends on person to person. Some common drugs include herbal supplements such as melatonin, others like Valium, dopamine etc.

  Take away

  Do not avoid the symptoms of sleep disorder. Sleep is extremely necessary for a healthy body and peaceful mind. It can lead to many other diseases. Consult your doctor immediately when you observe any such symptoms related to sleep disorders.