Inadequate sleep can have an adverse effect on a healthy lifestyle, known as sleep disorders. Sleep disorders are basically illnesses that interfere with uninterrupted sleep patterns. It is primarily seen in people suffering from physical illness, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. If you believe you are suffering from a sleep disorder, it’s advised to get it treated as soon as possible.
Harmful impacts of sleep disorders might have subsequent effects on your overall well-being. It will make you feel drowsy during the day which can affect your work efficiency. If you have a sleep disorder, you’ll face difficulty in sleeping regularly and frequently feel fatigued during the day despite having a good night of sleep.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Disorders?
Symptoms vary from person to person; however, common symptoms of sleep disorders include:
- Difficulty falling asleep during the night
- Waking up at night
- Daytime drowsiness
- Depression
- Nightmare while asleep
Causes Of Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are caused by several reasons, but they will have the same effect on everyone suffering from it. Due to lack of sleep at night, it becomes difficult to concentrate on any work during the day and people start facing other health issues as well. The following factors can cause sleep disorders.
Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are some of the primary factors that affect your sleep. Getting stressed about something, be it your studies or work will disturb your restful sleep. In that case, you will experience nightmares and some people even tend to talk while they are asleep.
Physical Disturbances
Constant pain is another factor that makes it difficult for you to fall asleep. Most elderly women do suffer from arthritis, persistent headache, and lower back pain which create discomfort during the night.
Respiratory Problems
Cold and respiratory infections also make it difficult to breathe at night, causing adverse sleep disorders. An allergen can also disturb your sleep. Things like frequent urination, environmental activities like snoring, and night shift work can cause sleep disorders.
How Many Types Of Sleep Disorders Are There?
There are several types of sleep disorders; however, the following are more commonly observed
Insomnia: If you have Insomnia, you may face difficulty falling or staying asleep, and will make you feel unrested. Stress, anxiety, and hormonal problems are some of the possible causes of Insomnia. It affects your health by causing depression, weight gain, and so on.
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is also a sleep disorder in which you feel tired after a full night’s sleep and pause in breathing during sleep. One of the causes of sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity.
Restless legs syndrome: Restless leg syndrome is basically seen at night and it can occur during the day too. It results in an overwhelming need to move the legs which disrupts your peaceful sleep.
Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is another type of sleep disorder that causes sudden attacks of sleep. The condition can potentially result in sleep paralysis, which could leave you physically immobile as soon as you wake up.
Are Sleep Disorders Diagnosed Or Identified?
You should speak with your healthcare physician first if you suspect you have a sleep disorder. Talk to him about your symptoms, and if he suspects you have a sleep disorder, he might suggest you to a sleep disorder clinic. In addition, other health issues frequently contribute to sleep issues, which might be resolved if you examine your lifestyle.
On the other hand, there is a sleep study or polysomnogram (PSG) that is used to diagnose sleep disorders. It monitors your bodily functions, including heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and brain waves, to assess how these affect your ability to sleep. Sometimes a test is not necessary to diagnose your sleep disorders. Your doctor will do a physical examination and ask you questions to find out about your symptoms and sleep issues.
Your doctor may inquire about the following to determine if you have a sleep disorder:
How long do you typically sleep at night?
Do you ever nap throughout the day?
How much time do you need to sleep?
Are you a night shift employee?
Throughout the day, how sleepy do you feel?
Do you frequently get up during the night?
Treatment
How Are Sleep Disorders Treated?
For sleep disorders, there are numerous therapy options. Some require medical care, while others require a lifestyle change. Your doctor may advise taking sleeping pills, melatonin supplements, or other medications if needed. On the other hand, your sleep quality can be significantly improved by making minor lifestyle changes. In that case, you can adhere to the advice below.
- Do regular exercise to lower stress and anxiety
- Consume less water before going to bed
- Maintain a regular sleep routine
- Reduce the usage of alcohol and cigarettes
- Avoid tea and coffee before bedtime
Tips For A Restful Night’s Sleep
The lifestyle-changing tips mentioned above will improve your sleep, and you should also set up a restful environment to get a good sleep. Besides, try to avoid naps during the daytime and avoid using the phone before bedtime.
Does A Mattress Ever Affect Your Sleep?
Sleep is an important part of our health and an adult needs at least 6 to 7 hours of sleep. Obviously, your mattress has an impact on your ability to sleep. A poor mattress might cause discomfort that can disrupt your sleep. Additionally, old pillows might make it tough to catch a nap.
On the other hand, many people believe that sleeping on the floor is better than a mattress. Some believe that sleeping on the floor reduces back pain. Note that there is no such strong comment on this matter.
Further, research suggests that sleeping on a medium-firm mattress promotes sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment. Another source claimed, people who slept on memory foam mattresses of medium firmness experienced a decrease in pain, and they slept quickly. If you are confused about choosing the right mattress, visit our previous blog ‘’Tips To Choose A Mattress For Perfect Sleep’’ to get a suitable mattress.
