Have you ever heard of sleep apnea or Restless Legs Syndrome? How about narcolepsy or insomnia? If the answer is no, then you're not alone. These are all common sleep disorders, but they're also some of the most misunderstood. This article will explore what each disorder is and how to treat it if necessary.
What is a sleep disorder?
Sleep disorders are conditions that interfere with your ability to sleep.
There are several different types of sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and apnea.
Sleep disorders can affect people of all ages and backgrounds—even athletes! The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research notes that “sport-related injuries are often classified as traumatic brain injury (TBI), but they may also be associated with sleep disturbances or other medical conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).” And we all know how much fun it is to watch your team lose when they're exhausted from getting too little shuteye the night before.
So what causes a person to get so little shuteye? In short: a lot of things! But there's one major factor for people who work a 9-to-5 job Monday through Friday: circadian rhythm disruption. Circadian rhythms are biological cycles that happen in 24 hour periods throughout our bodies—including our brains! These rhythms determine when we feel tired or alert throughout the day and night; if you're working an odd schedule from Monday through Friday (or worse yet, seven days per week), then there's no doubt your body will suffer from some degree of circadian rhythm disruption during those days when you need it most.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Do you snore? Do you feel tired in the morning? Do you have difficulty concentrating during the day? If so, it may be because of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the soft tissues of your upper airway collapse while you are sleeping.
This makes it difficult to breathe and causes people who suffer from it to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
There are three primary symptoms of OSA: snoring loud enough that others can hear; gasping or choking sounds when breathing; waking up with a headache or dry mouth upon waking. The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person but they generally tend to get worse over time as well as after eating or drinking large amounts at night before bedtime. Those who have severe cases may even find themselves falling asleep at inappropriate times during the day due to fatigue caused by these interruptions throughout their sleep cycle – like in class!
The best way for someone with OSA is finding an effective treatment method that works best for them individually based on their symptoms and lifestyle needs (such as your favorite sports team). Some options include wearing a CPAP mask during sleep which helps keep airways open so that breathing doesn't become obstructed during slumber hours; weight loss surgery if obesity is contributing directly towards increasing severity levels within this condition; using oral appliances like mandibular advancement devices which reposition lower jawbones forward slightly so they don't overlap upper teeth anymore while being worn daily over long periods of time until desired results kick off successfully without any further intervention required afterwards either."
Insomnia
If you're having trouble sleeping, you're not alone. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 66% of American adults have some sort of sleep disorder—and that's just the ones who admit it!
If your insomnia is affecting your daily life and making you feel exhausted all day long, here are a few things to consider:
Is it really insomnia? Insomnia and other sleep disorders can cause similar symptoms like fatigue or drowsiness during the day. So if you think this might be what's going on with you, make sure that it isn't another condition before visiting a doctor.
Are there any medications causing my insomnia? Some medications do cause side effects that may make falling asleep difficult at night or waking up in the morning more difficult. If this applies to you (and not all medications do), talk with your doctor about switching meds or changing dosage amounts so as not to disrupt your sleep schedule too much!
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is one of the most common sleep disorders, but it's also one of the least understood. Here's what you need to know:
What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that affects your ability to regulate your sleep cycle, causing excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone during waking hours. The main symptom of narcolepsy is falling asleep at inappropriate times—while driving your car or standing in line at the grocery store, for example—but there are many other symptoms too! These can include cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle control), hallucinations and talking in your sleep. Symptoms vary from person to person; some people may experience all four while others might only experience two or three.* What are the causes of narcolepsy?
The exact cause of narcolepsy remains unknown; however, recent research has shown that genetics may play an important role in determining who gets this condition. How do doctors diagnose and treat it? Narcoleptic patients should consult with their primary care physician about managing symptoms so they don't fall asleep at inconvenient moments throughout their day. How can I prevent myself from getting this condition? There isn't much anyone can do to prevent developing narcolepsy without knowing they're genetically predisposed towards developing it first! However if you already have this disease then maintaining healthy habits such as exercising regularly will help keep symptoms under control so things like falling asleep suddenly aren't nearly as drastic."
Restless Legs Syndrome
If you have an urge to move your legs that's so strong it keeps you from sleeping, then you might have restless legs syndrome.
RLS is a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. The symptoms include an urge to move the legs and an unpleasant, crawling or tingling sensation in the legs. The symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities like work, school or sleep. You may also have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep once you do fall asleep.
Parasomnias
If you've ever had a dream that felt so real it scared you awake, then you know about parasomnias. Parasomnias are sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements, behaviors or emotions that occur while falling asleep, during sleep, or upon waking. It can be very disruptive to your sleep and your day. Here are some common examples:
Sleepwalking
Night terrors
REM behavior disorder (RBD)
There are several sleep disorders that you might not even be aware of.
You probably know that sleep disorders can be dangerous, but did you know they’re also common? The National Sleep Foundation found that approximately 1 in every 10 people have a sleep disorder. But most people don’t know they have one until they start experiencing symptoms.
Here are some of the most common types:
The first step is to recognize the symptoms of sleep disorders. If you think that you or someone else may have a sleep disorder, it’s important to seek medical advice. Your doctor can perform tests on your body and determine if there is an underlying problem. If so, treatment will likely be prescribed to help with the symptoms of these conditions. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people will find relief from their symptoms within a few weeks!
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