Sleep disorder: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is a sleep disorder?

"Sleep disorders" are a range of medical diseases that impair one's capacity to sleep soundly on a regular basis. Sleep disturbances, whether caused by a medical condition or excessive stress, are growing more widespread in Australia.

In fact, more than one-third of adults in the United States report receiving less than 7 hours of sleep per day. More than 70% of high school students report getting less than 8 hours of sleep on weeknights, according to Trusted Source.

Most people have occasional sleeping issues as a result of stress, hectic schedules, and other external influences. However, if these concerns become frequent and interfere with daily life, they may suggest a sleeping disorder.

People with "sleep disorder" may have difficulty going sleep and may feel exceedingly fatigued during the day, depending on the type of sleep problem. Sleep deprivation can have an adverse effect on energy, mood, concentration, and general health.

Sleep disturbances can be an indication of another medical or "mental health disease" in some situations. Once the underlying cause is treated, these sleeping problems may gradually go away.

When a sleep disturbance is not caused by another ailment, it is usually treated with a combination of medical therapies and lifestyle adjustments.

If you feel you have a sleep disturbance, it's critical to get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. When sleep issues go untreated, the negative impacts can have far-reaching health ramifications.

They can also have an impact on your professional performance, cause tension in relationships, and hinder your ability to do daily tasks.

What are the many kinds of sleep disorders?

There are numerous sorts of sleep problems. Some may be caused by underlying medical issues.

Insomnia:

Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall or stay asleep. Jet lag, stress and anxiety, hormones, or digestive issues can all contribute to it. It could also be an indication of something else.

Insomnia can be detrimental to your general health and quality of life, potentially resulting in:

• Depression inability to concentrate irritability
• Weight gain had a negative impact on work or school performance.
• Insomnia is unfortunately very prevalent. It affects up to half of all American adults at some point in their lives.
• The disorder is especially common in older people and women.

Insomnia is typically categorised into three types:

"Chronic insomnia" occurs on a regular basis for at least one-month intermittent insomnia occurs on a regular basis transitory insomnia occurs for only a few nights at a time

Obstructive sleep apnea:

Sleep apnea is defined by pauses in breathing while sleeping. This is a dangerous medical disorder in which the body consumes less oxygen. It can also cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

There are two varieties:

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, in which the passage of air is interrupted because the airway space is restricted or too narrow, and central sleep apnea, in which there is a problem with the link between the brain and the muscles that control your breathing.

Parasomnias:

Parasomnias are a type of sleep disorder characterised by abnormal movements and actions while sleeping. They are as follows:

• sleepwalking
• sleep conversing
• groaning snightmares
• teeth grinding or jaw clenching bedwetting
• Syndrome of restless legs

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is characterised by an intense need to move one's legs. This desire is occasionally accompanied by a tingling sensation in the legs. These symptoms can occur throughout the day, although they are most common at night.

RLS is frequently linked to medical illnesses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson's disease, however the exact reason is not always recognised.

Narcolepsy:

Narcolepsy is distinguished by "sleep attacks" that occur while the person is awake. This means you will become incredibly fatigued and fall asleep unexpectedly.

The disease may also produce sleep paralysis, in which you are physically unable to move immediately after waking up. Although narcolepsy can arise on its own, it is also linked to other neurological illnesses including multiple sclerosis.

What are the signs of a sleep disorder?

The intensity and kind of sleeping disturbance influence the symptoms. They may also differ when sleep disturbances are caused by another condition.

However, general sleep disorder symptoms include:

• trouble getting or keeping asleep during the day
• irregular respiratory patterns, overwhelming need to nap during the day
• odd or unpleasant urges to move while falling asleep unusual movement or other sleep experiences
• unintended shifts in your sleep/wake cycle
• anger or anxiety reduced work or school performance lack of concentration
• depression
• Gaining weight

What factors contribute to sleep disorders?

Sleep disruptions can be caused by a variety of illnesses, diseases, and disorders. Sleep difficulties are frequently the outcome of an underlying health problem.

Allergies and breathing difficulties:

Allergies, colds, and upper respiratory infections all make sleeping difficult. Sleeping problems can also be caused by an inability to breathe through your nose.

Urination on a regular basis:

Nocturia, or frequent urination, might cause you to wake up during the night and disrupt your sleep. Hormonal imbalances and urinary tract illnesses may contribute to the development of this condition.

If your frequent urination is accompanied by bleeding or pain, see your doctor immediately away.

Chronic discomfort:

Constant pain can make falling asleep difficult. It may even wake you up after you have fallen asleep. The following are some of the most common causes of chronic pain:

• chronic tiredness syndrome arthritis
• fibromyalgia
• IBD is an abbreviation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
• headaches that don't go away
•  ongoing lower back pain

In some circumstances, sleep disturbances can aggravate chronic pain. For example, experts believe that sleeping disorders may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia.

Anxiety and stress:

Sleep quality is frequently harmed by stress and anxiety. You may find it difficult to fall or remain asleep. Nightmares, sleeptalking, or sleepwalking can all interfere with your sleep.

How are sleeping disorders identified?

Your doctor will begin by performing a physical examination and gathering information about your symptoms and medical history. They may also request the following tests:

Polysomnography (PSG): This is a lab sleep study that compares oxygen levels, body movements, and brain waves to see how they interrupt sleep vs. home sleep study (HST), which is done at home and used to detect sleep apnea.

Electroencephalogram (EEG): This is a test that detects any potential issues related with electrical activity in the brain. It is a component of polysomnography.

Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT): This daytime napping study, along with a PSG at night, is used to help diagnose narcolepsy.

These tests can be critical in selecting the best treatment plan for sleep disorders.

What treatments are available for sleep disorders?

The treatment for sleep disturbances varies according to the nature and underlying cause. However, it is usually a combination of medical therapies and dietary adjustments.

Medical procedures:

Any of the following medical treatments may be used to treat sleep disorders:

• sleeping tablets
• supplements containing melatonin
• Treatment for allergies or colds, as well as medication for any underlying health conditions
• breathing apparatus or surgery (usually for sleep apnea)
• a mouth guard (usually for teeth grinding)

Changes in lifestyle:

Lifestyle changes can significantly enhance your sleep quality, especially when combined with medical therapies. Consider the following:

• adding more vegetables and fish into your diet and lowering your sugar intake reducing tension and anxiety through exercise and stretching developing and adhering to a regular sleeping routine
• consuming less water before going to bed
• lowering your caffeine intake, particularly in the late afternoon or evening reducing your use of tobacco and alcohol use
• consuming smaller low-carbohydrate meals before going to bed
• following your doctor's advice on keeping a healthy weight

Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can also help you sleep better. While it may be tempting to sleep in on weekends, this might make waking up and falling asleep during the weekday more challenging.

What is the prognosis for someone suffering from a sleep disorder?

Sleep difficulties can be so bothersome that you will most likely want immediate help. Unfortunately, long-term cases can take longer to resolve.

However, if you stick to your treatment plan and interact with your doctor on a regular basis, you can find your way to better sleep.