Common Sleep Disorders

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The society has changed, and people are spending even more that ¾ of the day working, browsing the internet or even watching television. However, according to statistics many people struggle with at least one chronic sleeping disorder.

Sleep apnea

This is a disorder that causes disruption to the pattern of breathing as one sleeps. The typical pause between breaths is ten minutes. There are three types of sleep apnea. They are;

complex sleep apnea syndrome
central and obstructive sleep apnea
The latter is the most common type of the three.

Causes

Medical conditions-hypothyroid disease, kidney failure
Male gender
Being overweight
Symptoms

Loud or chronic snoring
Gasping or choking following pauses
A sore throat on waking up
Morning headaches
Treatment

Losing weight when necessary
Nasal sprays
Sleeping on the side

Narcolepsy

This is a disorder that occur in the nervous system caused by the inability of the brain to control the sleeping pattern. People suffering from this disorder get sudden sleep attacks and overwhelming drowsiness during the day. However, it should be noted that these people sleep almost the same number of hours like the normal person, only that they have no control over when it happens.

Causes

Not well known but linked to genetics
Symptoms

Insomnia- one is unable to sleep
Cataplexy- muscle tone loss
Fatigue- excessive drowsiness
Hallucinations- the perception of nonexistent things
Treatment

Medications
Lifestyle changes

Insomnia

It refers to having difficulty in falling or staying asleep or even both. There are two types of insomnia namely secondary insomnia and primary insomnia. Based on the duration of the disorder, it can be classified as either chronic or acute.

Causes

Environmental factors- light, noise, temperature extremes
Medications- antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensive
Physical or emotional discomfort
Stress

Symptoms

Fatigue
Mood disturbance
Cognitive impairment
Unrefreshing sleep
Waking up very early in the morning
Difficulty staying/falling asleep
Difficulty with schools, relationships or work

Treatment

Sleeping pills
Treat underlying cause
in the evening hours avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine
Taking a light meal during supper
Not sitting in bed while completing tasks
Having a regular relaxation routine before going to bed
Regular exercising program
Avoiding day naps
Going to bed at a fixed time

Sleepwalking

It involves performing behaviors that are complex or walking while asleep. It is a disorder that is common in children compared to adults. The person should be awakened to avoid injury.

Causes

Sleep deprivation
Restless leg syndrome
Obstructive sleep apnea
Psychiatric disorders
Heart conditions
Fever
Stress

Treatment

Treat the underlying cause
Medications

Symptoms

Inapt behavior though one is asleep
Sleep talking
Not remembering the sleep walking event
Screaming
Difficulty awakening the person
Violent attacks on anyone trying to wake the person

Restless leg syndrome

The disorder is characterized by unpleasant and overwhelming urges of moving legs at rest. The sensations intensify when one is sitting, lying or at rest. The symptoms range from intolerable to mild.

Causes

Pregnancy-especially the last trimester. Symptoms recede one month after delivering
Medications- antihistamines, antidepressants, antiemetic and antipsychotics
Chronic diseases- diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, iron deficiency, kidney failure
Symptoms

Symptoms not easily defined. Mostly comparisons like ‘ pricking needles and pins’ or ‘ like crawling ants’ are used in describing the disorder.

Treatment

Lifestyles changes- decreasing alcohol & caffeine, a regular program for exercising.
Good sleeping habits
Ice packs or heating pads applied to the legs
Leg massages.

Sleep paralysis

A conditioned characterized by an inability to speak or move when rapid eye movement sleep has been interrupted. However, this is only temporary. It can either be hypnagogic or hypnopompic sleep paralysis. The first occurs when one becomes aware of not being able to speak or move when falling asleep. The second one occurs when one becomes aware of not being able to speak or move at the end of REM cycle.

Causes

Genetics
Sleeping on your back
Substance abuse
Medication used in treatment of ADHD
Other sleep disorders
Inconsistent sleep schedules
Sleep deprivation
Mental disorders

Symptoms

Menacing figure or hallucinations
The feeling of something being on the chest
The feeling of someone being in your room
Foreboding feeling

Treatment

Treatment of any underlying sleeping disorder
Use of antidepressant medications for regulating the sleep cycles
Improving the sleeping habits

Please keep the common sleeping orders in mind if you are having troubles sleeping.  There is help available to regain your normal sleep patterns.  Consult your physician if you are suffering from any of these sleep disorders.


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