What Are Sleep Disorders And Their Types

This article tells you about sleep disorders and how many types of sleep disorders are there and how to know if you are suffering from a sleep disorder.

What Are Sleep Disorders?

There is no one definition of a sleep disorder, but they broadly fall into two categories: those that occur when sleeping becomes harder to achieve and those that occur when the brain is deprived of enough time in which it can process information appropriately. Many types of sleep disorders exist, including insomnia, snoring, restless legs syndrome, apnea (a disruption in breathing), narcolepsy (an excessive desire to sleep), and circadian rhythm disturbance. Other disorders include sleepwalking, sleep-related movement disorders, and nightmares.

How many types of sleep disorders are there?

There are hundreds of different kinds, but they can be broadly divided into two categories. People with primary sleep disorders have a problem at a level in the brain rather than in the body’s organs. These problems tend to be relatively rare but often very persistent. They may disrupt a person’s daily life when untreated. Secondary sleep disorders can be caused by factors such as pain, anxiety, or depression.

What happens when a person doesn’t get enough sleep?

When people don’t get enough sleep, their daytime performance suffers. They always tend to staying up all night.Studies have shown that lack of sleep can affect an individual's ability to build new memories, concentrate and make good judgments. It has also been linked to high blood pressure, weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. In the long term, getting too little sleep increases the risk of developing an illness or condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

Sleep Disorders, Sleep Deprivation, and Sleep Injuries

Simple sleep disorders are a lesser-known cause of serious conditions that affect millions of people every year. They have become increasingly prevalent over time making them important to understand so that we can get the treatment that is needed. This article discusses the most common sleep disorders and how they can lead to serious health conditions.

Because it is estimated that one in five individuals will suffer from a sleep disorder at some point in his or her life, it is necessary to be familiar with the terminology associated with sleep disorders in order to properly treat them. The following are some of the most common sleep disorders: insomnia, narcolepsy, apnea, etc.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common ailment that affects around 5% to 10% of the population at some point in their lifetime. It is defined as the inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. It is characterized by recurring problems sleeping and can result in very unpleasant consequences including feeling tired, irritable, disadvantaged, and uncomfortable. While insomnia may be a temporary condition, its symptoms can continue consistently even after the person has gotten adequate sleep and can experience types of dreams.

To avoid developing insomnia, it is important to make sure that one’s body has adequate rest periods during the day. When sleep continues throughout the night without interruption, this is referred to as "sleep inertia". Limiting the amount of exposure to bright light in one’s bedroom, exercising regularly, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol at night time are some ways to promote healthy sleeping patterns.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a very common sleep disorder that involves excessive sleepiness during the day. Narcoleptics are more likely than average to fall asleep suddenly and without warning throughout their daily activities. Narcoleptic patients may also suffer from abnormal dream experiences while they are awake such as hallucinations or vivid thoughts that can be accompanied by laughing or crying without realizing it. These episodes usually only last for a few minutes but they can be frightening and embarrassing when they occur in public places. Currently, there is no medication that can cure narcolepsy but there are drugs that can help control the symptoms of excessive sleepiness.

Apnea

Apnea is a condition characterized by temporary cessation of breathing during sleep. It usually involves episodes of loud snoring during which breathing stops momentarily and then resumes with a loud noise. Obstructive sleep apnea involves breathing that stops temporarily because the person's airways are blocked by muscles in the throat or tongue.

Central sleep apnea involves breathing that stops temporarily because the brain fails to signal the body to breathe. If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea may result in heart disease and/or death. The most common treatment for apnea is continuous positive airway pressure, which involves the use of a face mask connected to a small machine to blow air into the nose.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Another sleep disorder known as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one’s legs which results in a very uncomfortable tingling or crawling sensation. Nocturnal leg cramps cause severe pain in the legs and feet but they usually resolve within a few minutes. Leg cramps can be treated by stretching, massaging or placing ice packs on cramped muscles. Medication can also be used to treat the muscle discomfort of nocturnal leg cramps but it is usually only effective at night when they occur.

It is important to consider the prevalence of sleep disorders in today’s culture because their symptoms can be serious. Just because they are not commonly discussed, it doesn’t mean that the individuals affected by them should just suffer in silence. Sleep disorders can lead to serious health conditions if they are left untreated so they should be identified and treated as soon as possible.

Conclusion

You may be experiencing a sleeping disorder if you have trouble falling asleep or maintaining unbroken sleep for an hour or more at night; if you awake too early in the morning and cannot get back to sleep; if you fall asleep at inappropriate times - such as during work hours - or in inappropriate places - such as while driving; if your daytime naps are unusually long or unrefreshing; or if you experience excessive daytime somnolence (sleepiness).