For a good physical, mental, & emotional health you need good quality sleep. However, a number of sleep problems can make it difficult for many people to get a good quality sleep. We discuss various types of sleep disorders in this post, including their forms, causes, symptoms, available treatments.
Types of Sleep
It’s important to understand the basics of sleep before learning about sleep disorders. The physiological process of sleep is complicated and is represented by decreased sensory activity, decreased consciousness, and reduced voluntary-muscle movements. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep are the two primary types of sleep.
The body goes through important activities like immune function regulation, growth, and tissue repair during NREM sleep. While, REM sleep is associated with dreaming and is required for cognitive processes like memory retention and controlling emotions. Ahealthy sleep cycle is around 90 minutes and constantly switches from NREM and REM & vice-versa.
The Importance of Quality Sleep:
To keep one’s physical and mental health at its best, one must get enough sleep. Sufficient sleep has following advantages:
- Supports cognitive function:
Sleep is essential for learning, problem-solving, consolidating memories, and making decisions.
- Regulates mood:
Irritability, mood swings, and a higher risk of anxiety and depression are all effects of lack of sleep.
- Promotes physical health:
Immune system performance, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and hormone balance all depend on sleep. - Improves performance:
Getting enough sleep improves focus, concentration, response time, and general productivity. - Supports emotional well-being:
Sleep improves one’s mental health and also helps to manage stress and emotions smoothly.
Most Common Sleep Disorders
People of different ages and backgrounds can experience sleep disorders. It can range from random sleep disturbances to long-term issues needing medical attention. The most common sleep disorders are:
1. Insomnia:
When there is enough possibility for sleep. But you can’t fall asleep, and remain asleep, or enjoying restorative sleep, then you can have insomnia. It frequently results from stress, anxiety, depression, or underlying issues and can be temporary, acute, or long lasting.
2. Sleep Apnea:
Continuous instances of breathing stopping during sleep, which causes irregular sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness, are symptoms of sleep apnea. While central sleep apnea happens because of brain’s inability to properly communicate the breathing muscles. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a partially or totally obstructed airway.
3. Narcolepsy:
Its’ symptoms include sleep paralysis, extreme daytime sleepiness, unexpected loss of muscular tone. And hallucinations when you go to sleep or get up. It is a neurological illness. It’s caused by abnormalities in the brain’s regulation of REM sleep and sleep-wake cycles.
4. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS):
The sensorimotor problem known as restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. And is frequently accompanied by unpleasant feelings like tingling, crawling, or hurting. Mostly, it increases by remaining inactive, and its symptoms can strongly interfere with your sleep.
5. Parasomnias:
It refers to a variety of unusual sleep-related activities and experiences. Sleepwalking, sleep talking, nightmares, night terrors, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) are examples of Parasomnias.
Causes of Sleep Disorders:
Many factors can lead to sleep disorders, such as:
- Biochemical Factors:
Sleep disorders can occur because of a combination of factors such as hormone imbalances, neurological abnormalities, genetic predisposition. And because of disturbances of the circadian cycle. - Psychological factors:
Sadness, Anxiety, trauma, stress, & other mental health conditions can interfere with sleep cycles & make existing conditions worse.
- Lifestyle Factors:
Sleep quality can be affected by poor sleep hygiene, irregular sleep schedules, consuming too much alcohol or caffeine. And using electronics right before bed.
- Medical Conditions:
Sleep disorders can be caused or accelerated by chronic pain, neurological illnesses, heart disease, respiratory disorders. And because of gastrointestinal disorders. - Environmental Elements:
Extreme temperature, light pollution, noise, and uncomfortable sleeping conditions can all reduce the quality of sleep. And make already existing problems worse.
Symptoms of sleep disorders
The sleep disorder symptoms are:
- Difficulty in sleeping or staying asleep
- Excessive sleeping during the day
- Laziness or exhaustion
- Snoring or gasping during the sleep,
- Movement or restlessness During a sleep,
- Irritation or mood swings
- Impaired memory or concentration
- Headaches in the morning or dry mouth
- Waking up a lot or having restless sleep
Diagnosis of sleep disorders
Healthcare professionals will carry out various test to identify sleep abnormalities, which may include:
- Medical History:
Patients are questioned regarding their medical treatment, medical history, sleep patterns, symptoms, and any underlying medical issues. - Physical tests:
A physical examination could identify symptoms of nasal congestion, big tonsils, obesity, or other conditions causing sleep difficulties. - Research on Sleep:
To track several physiological factors during sleep, like brain waves, breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and muscle activity. Polysomnography (PSG) and home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) can be used
- Psychological Evaluation:
When psychological aspects are suspected for sleep disorder.
Patients can undergo psychological examinations or screenings for anxiety, mood disorders, or other mental health issues.
Treatment for sleep disorders
The degree of symptoms, underlying cause, and personal preferences all influence how sleep disorder treatments are done. Standard treatments consist of:
1. Sleep Hygiene Education:
Mild sleep problems can be reduced with better sleep hygiene and the creation of a sleep-friendly atmosphere. It includes following regular sleep schedule, reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption, creating peaceful night time routine. And reducing the amount of time spent on electronics before going to sleep.
2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Its objective for insomnia is to recognize and treat inappropriate thoughts and behaviors that are causing problems sleeping. It is an organized, research-based method. Techniques like sleep restriction, relaxation training, sensory control, and cognitive restructuring can be used for it.
3. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy:
The most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. It involves wearing mask that is attached to device that produces pressured air to keep airway open when you sleep. Thereby, decreasing the number of apnea occurrences and improving the quality of your sleep.
4. Medications:
Healthcare professionals will recommend medications to treat specific sleep disorders to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of sleep. Sedatives, antidepressants, hypnotics, dopamine agonists, and drugs that target neurotransmitter systems involved in sleep regulation are examples of such medicines.
5. Oral Appliances:
Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) or tongue-retaining devices (TRDs) can be recommended for those with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Or snoring in to realign the jaw and maintain an unobstructed airway while they sleep.
6. Surgical Methods:
Surgical techniques are preferred when traditional treatments are ineffective or when anatomical irregularities are contributing factor to sleep problems. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or maxillomandibular advancement surgery, realigns upper and lower jaw, are the surgical alternatives for treating sleep apnea.
7. Light Therapy:
Exposure to powerful artificial light sources is known as light therapy, or phototherapy. And it is used to improve sleep-wake patterns and regulate circadian rhythms. People with circadian rhythm sleep problems, such as shift work disorder or delayed sleep phase disorder, benefit most from it.
Conclusion
Now you are well informed of various sleep disorders, their causes and treatment options.
FAQs
Q1: What is the most common sleep disorder?
Ans: Insomnia
Q2: What is the best sleep disorder treatment?
Ans: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and CPAP therapy.