If you have ever experienced difficulty sleeping at night, or find yourself waking up through the night, you know how frustrating it can be? Lack of adequate sleep can affect your mood, metabolism, brain function and overall well-being.

 

CDC reports that 30-40% of Americans experience short sleep durationor less than 7 hours of sleep per 24-hour period. Any condition that prevents a person from getting adequate, restful sleep can cause a wide range of mental and physical conditions. Persistentpoor sleep is closely linked with an increased risk of diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, obesity, mental health issues and more.

Common Sleep Disorders

Mainly, there are 8 different types of sleep disorders. They have been described briefly here.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common among all sleep disorders. Patients find it hard to fall and remain asleep. They may also face trouble getting up in the morning, fatigue during the day and other problems. Insomnia could be temporary or chronic and may be caused due to other mental or physical conditions.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is usually associated with loud snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is potentially dangerous. OSA patients experience short, recurring periods during which they stop breathing. When they sleep, their mouth and throat muscles relax and soft tissues block the airway. The body and brain may be deprived of oxygen for ten seconds or even more. As a result, the brain sends shocks the rest of the body awake to start breathing again.

 

Many people with sleep apnea may not recall snoring or waking up but they feel tired during the day because of the interrupted sleep. Untreated sleep apnea often leads to hypertension, heart issues, stroke or even death.

Parasomnias

Parasomnia is a collective term for unconscious behaviors, like sleepwalking, sleep-eating as well as other activity, carried out while asleep. These are often associated with other medical and sleep conditions.

 

Patients suffering from REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (a specific type of parasomnia), do not stay still during REM sleep, rather experience physical movements, in varying degrees, while they dream. This may become hazardous when the sleeping person acts out dangerously. The people may injureself or others in their asleep.

Sleep Paralysis

Some people are unable to move their body for a short while at the time they areabout to fall asleep or when they are about to wake up. Such a state of temporary paralysis can be extremely frightening for the person. Fortunately, the symptoms can be relieved with a variety of treatment options.

Restless Legs Syndrome

This sleep disorder involves a strong urge to move the legs during sleep. The person may feel a discomfort, an ache, tingling or crawling in the legs. Movement eases the discomfort. This disorder mayprevent the person from falling asleep or sleeping through the night.

 

RLS can be caused due to iron deficiency, obesity or prolonged inactivity. It results infatigue, irritability and inability to concentrate.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

This category of sleep disorders involve sunregulated sleep cycles. This is more common among people who are visually challenged, work in shifts or in the dark or regularly suffer from jet lag. Good sleep hygiene can help to overcome such a disorder.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy refers topoor neurological control of sleep and alertness. Common symptoms include fatigue, sleep paralysisand hallucinations. Patients may fall asleep at inappropriate times or feel unable to move their body between wakefulness and sleep.

Worried about how your sleep patterns is affecting your health?

Fortunately, most sleep disorders can be addressed with proper evaluation and treatment by a professional. At Sleep Solution Hub, Dr. George Akinkuoye brings together the science of sleep medicine and wellness to help you fulfill your sleep needs and overcome sleep disorders. With his Positive Mental Health Relaxation Series, you can experience the profound effect of music on your body and mind to relax, reduce stress and sleep well. 

 

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