20 sleep disorders you should avoid
[ =========================================
Sleep disorders: 20 sleep disorders you should avoid (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)
Everyone needs quality sleep every single night, but lifestyle choices and hurdles make sleep disorders more common than good sleep.
This poor sleeping pattern has serious repercussions on our health, and the first thing we notice is unhealthy weight gain or weight loss, low concentration, and mood swings.
If you have trouble sleeping almost every day and this lack of sleep is affecting your day-to-day routine, then you may be suffering from one of the many (and most common) sleep disorders. You will be surprised to know that there are many more sleep disorders than just insomnia and sleep apnea. Today, we help you learn about these various sleep disorders and their symptoms, so that you can take action and treat these conditions before they take a toll on your life.
Sleep disorders # 1: Sleep bruxism
Sleep bruxism is most commonly known as teeth grinding. Here the sufferer clenches or grinds their teeth while sleeping. The real cause of this sleep disorder is still unknown, but stress, tension, suppressed anger or misalignments of the teeth do lead to this problem.
This sleep disorder is though not that serious, but if this problem continues for a long time then, it can lead to jaw disorders, damaged teeth and various other mouth problems. Simple treatments are given to correct the problem generally, such as a mouth guard or therapy.
Sleep disorders # 2: Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious, life-threatening and a very common sleep disorder. This problem temporarily stops the sufferers breathing during sleep. This temporary halt is due to the blockage of the upper airways. This sleep disorder, can lead to interruption in your sleep due to many awakenings each hour.
The effect of this sleep makes the sufferer exhausted, irritated and lowers work productivity during the day. The common symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, frequent pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep and waking up unrefreshed no matter how much time you spent sleeping.
If you suspect you or your loved one is suffering with this sleep disorder, then speak to your doctor. The other simple treatment to treat this sleep disorder is losing weight, elevating the head of the bed and sleeping on your side.
Sleep disorders # 3: Perpetual jet lag
Jet lag occurs when the body's inner clock is out of synchronization with time signals it receives from the environment. Time signals include meal times, sunrise and sunset, and daily cycles of rest and activity. This disorder happens due to rapid transitions across multiple time-zones. The risk is very high with nocturnal shift work employees who transfer to night shifts. The common symptoms of jet lag are feeling of irritability, insomnia, indigestion and general disorientation
The effect of jet lag on people is not immediate; apparently it may take a couple of days for this disorder to catch up.
Sleep disorders # 4: Sleep eating
This problem is a sleep disorder, as well as an eating disorder. The consequences of this disorder can be very severe if the sufferer has any health problems like diabetes or food allergies. This disorder involves eating of high-calorie foods over a very short time and without the sleeper's knowledge.
Sleep disorders # 5: Rapid eye movement behavior disorder
Rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder is a sleep disorder characterized by the loss of standard voluntary muscle during REM sleep. Here the patient physically acts out often vivid, unpleasant dream with abnormal vocal sounds and movements during rapid eye movement sleep.
REM behavior sleep disorder can cause serious injury to either the patient or their bed partners. REM can be dangerous as it is associated with other neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia.
Sleep disorders # 6: Sleep walking
Sleep walking is pretty harmless but it can be serious when a sleepwalker gets into a car and goes for a ride. Many a times the person who sleepwalks will not remember walking, but may wake up speaking clumsily. Sleep walking is usually caused by an underlying problem, such as seizures, sleep apnea or arrhythmias.
Sleep disorders # 7: Frequent urination
Waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is such a common problem. As we get older, our bodies' ability to hold fluids for long periods reduces and this causes sleep deprivation in many adults.
The best approach to deal with this problem is by noting down how often you are waking up. If you wake up quite often, then go and see your doctor, because the cause for your sleep deprivation due to frequent urination can be an overactive bladder or urinary tract infections.
You can also treat this sleep disorder by taking simple steps like avoiding liquids for three hours before bedtime, lowering the consumption of tea and coffee and avoiding foods with high liquid content like soups for dinner.
Sleep disorders # 8: Restless leg syndrome
In this sleep disorder, the sufferer faces an almost irresistible urge to move legs or arms. This urge occurs usually when the sufferer is resting or lying down due to some uncomfortable, painful or aching situations.
The common signs and symptoms of this syndrome includes: painful feelings deep within legs which comes along with a strong urge to move them. Repetitive cramping of the legs also occurs during sleep. The painful sensations temporarily get better when the sufferer moves, stretches or massages that area
Sleep disorders # 9: Advanced sleep phase disorder
Advanced sleep phase syndrome is a disorder in which the major sleeping affair is advanced in relation to the desired clock time. The body of the patient sets a certain time and this makes the patient go to sleep in the evening and wake up early in the morning. The common symptoms are compelling evening sleepiness, an early sleep onset, and an awakening that is earlier than desired.
Sleep disorders # 10: Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that usually begins during adolescence and is distinguished by excessive daytime sleepiness with the occurrence of sleep attacks. Narcolepsy can be genetic, or can occur in the absence of any family history as well.
The symptoms of narcolepsy that may or may not be present are: cataplexy - sudden loss of muscle tone, sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations. The treatment of narcolepsy requires a mixture of behavioral modification and drug therapy.
Sleep disorders # 11: Sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs between the two phases of wakefulness and sleep. Its common symptoms are not being able to speak or move for a few minutes or seconds. At times a sufferer can even feel pressure or a sense of choking. It is mostly accompanied with other sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
Sleep disorders # 12: Kleine-Levin syndrome
Kleine-Levin syndrome or sleeping beauty syndrome is a sleeping disorder characterized by recurring periods of excessive amounts of sleeping and eating. The sufferer can even sleep for days, it sounds cool, but it can be very disastrous. When the patient wakes up, it seems his entire world is changed and he acts childish due to confusion, disorientation, lack of energy and lack of emotions. Most are bedridden, tired, and uncommunicative even when awake. The sufferer's life is completely out of focus and they are hypertensive to noise and light. They lose interest in food, games and their favorite hobbies. Affected individuals may go for a period of weeks, months or even years without experiencing any symptoms, and then they reappear with little warning.
Sleep disorders # 13: Adult bedwetting
There are two types of adult bedwetting. Primary nocturnal enuresis occurs when an adult never conquers simple childhood bedwetting associated with potty training. The other is called adult onset secondary enuresis, which begins well into adulthood.
This condition can be genetic, but a variety of factors, including diabetes, can also be at the root of the problem. Increased production of urine during sleep can lead to adult bedwetting.
Sleep disorders # 14: Night terrors
A night terror is a sleep disorder described by tremendous terror and a temporary incapability to regain full consciousness. The patient wakes up suddenly from slow-wave sleep. This is usually accompanied by out of breath, complaining, or screaming. It is often impossible to fully awaken the person, and after the event the patient usually settles back to sleep without waking.
A night terror can rarely be recalled by the patient. Night terrors are different from nightmares. Often times it can be extremely dangerous for the person, for it can cause trauma, and can even hurt someone.
Sleep disorders # 15: Hypersomnia
The disorder is made up of phases of cruel sleepiness. These periods of sleep can last for up to hours, days or even weeks. Before a person is hit with a hypersomnia attack, the patient suffers with flu like symptoms present and a long-term headache. The attack itself can cause a person to gain weight and sweat abundantly. Menstrual-Related Hypersomnia also occurs due to hormonal imbalances.
Sleep disorders # 16: Snoring
Not all snoring is sleep apnea. Snoring can cause severe sleep disorder to the sufferer as well to the person sleeping next to the sufferer. Snoring is the vibration of respiratory systems and the resulting sound is caused due to blocked air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be loud and horrible.
Snoring during sleep may be a sign, or first alarm, of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The only way to reduce this problem is by losing weight, changing your sleeping position and avoiding alcohol and other sedatives.
Sleep disorders # 17: Shift work sleep disorder
It is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that occurs when your work schedule and your biological clock are out of sync. Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by insomnia and excessive sleepiness affecting people whose work hours overlap with the typical sleep period.
There are numerous shift work schedules, and they may be permanent, intermittent, or rotating; consequently, the manifestations of SWSD are quite variable. Simple ways to treat this sleep disorder is by taking regular breaks and regulating your sleep-wake cycle by increasing light exposure at work.
Sleep disorders # 18: Sexsomnia
Sleep sex, or sexsomnia, is a situation in which a person will connect in sexual acts while still asleep. The symptoms of sexsomnia include fondling, heterosexual and homosexual intercourse, masturbation, and oral sex. Sometimes without the sleeper's knowledge, they even get into serious crimes like sexual assaults or even rape.
It is difficult for sexsomniacs to recollect what they did last night. Sexsomnia is also a symptom which occurs in other sleep disorders like sleep apnea and night terrors. This sleep disorder is mostly activated by stress, physical touch by their bed partners and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Sleep disorders # 19: Sleep talking
The symptoms of sleep talking can range from gibberish talks to long time sophisticated symptoms. Sleep talking can also be the symptom of another sleep disorder like REM or sleep terrors. Treatment isn't usually necessary—unless it's bothering your sleep partner. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is the best treatment or solution to mild sufferers.
Sleep disorders # 20: Insomnia
People suffering from insomnia either have difficulty in sleep initiation, sleep continuation or both. It is a highly prevalent sleep disorder and can be transitional or primary. Transitional insomnia is a sleep disturbance caused due to stressful life circumstances and resolves once the stress is taken care of.
Primary insomnia is poorly understood, long-term and is difficult to treat. Insomnia has an adverse impact on your mood, attention and concentration. Lifestyle changes and psychological treatments can help treat this condition.
Read more Personal Health, Diet & Fitness stories onwww.healthmeup.com
This poor sleeping pattern has serious repercussions on our health, and the first thing we notice is unhealthy weight gain or weight loss, low concentration, and mood swings.
If you have trouble sleeping almost every day and this lack of sleep is affecting your day-to-day routine, then you may be suffering from one of the many (and most common) sleep disorders. You will be surprised to know that there are many more sleep disorders than just insomnia and sleep apnea. Today, we help you learn about these various sleep disorders and their symptoms, so that you can take action and treat these conditions before they take a toll on your life.
Sleep disorders # 1: Sleep bruxism
Sleep bruxism is most commonly known as teeth grinding. Here the sufferer clenches or grinds their teeth while sleeping. The real cause of this sleep disorder is still unknown, but stress, tension, suppressed anger or misalignments of the teeth do lead to this problem.
This sleep disorder is though not that serious, but if this problem continues for a long time then, it can lead to jaw disorders, damaged teeth and various other mouth problems. Simple treatments are given to correct the problem generally, such as a mouth guard or therapy.
Sleep disorders # 2: Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious, life-threatening and a very common sleep disorder. This problem temporarily stops the sufferers breathing during sleep. This temporary halt is due to the blockage of the upper airways. This sleep disorder, can lead to interruption in your sleep due to many awakenings each hour.
The effect of this sleep makes the sufferer exhausted, irritated and lowers work productivity during the day. The common symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, frequent pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep and waking up unrefreshed no matter how much time you spent sleeping.
If you suspect you or your loved one is suffering with this sleep disorder, then speak to your doctor. The other simple treatment to treat this sleep disorder is losing weight, elevating the head of the bed and sleeping on your side.
Sleep disorders # 3: Perpetual jet lag
Jet lag occurs when the body's inner clock is out of synchronization with time signals it receives from the environment. Time signals include meal times, sunrise and sunset, and daily cycles of rest and activity. This disorder happens due to rapid transitions across multiple time-zones. The risk is very high with nocturnal shift work employees who transfer to night shifts. The common symptoms of jet lag are feeling of irritability, insomnia, indigestion and general disorientation
The effect of jet lag on people is not immediate; apparently it may take a couple of days for this disorder to catch up.
Sleep disorders # 4: Sleep eating
This problem is a sleep disorder, as well as an eating disorder. The consequences of this disorder can be very severe if the sufferer has any health problems like diabetes or food allergies. This disorder involves eating of high-calorie foods over a very short time and without the sleeper's knowledge.
Sleep disorders # 5: Rapid eye movement behavior disorder
Rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder is a sleep disorder characterized by the loss of standard voluntary muscle during REM sleep. Here the patient physically acts out often vivid, unpleasant dream with abnormal vocal sounds and movements during rapid eye movement sleep.
REM behavior sleep disorder can cause serious injury to either the patient or their bed partners. REM can be dangerous as it is associated with other neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia.
Sleep disorders # 6: Sleep walking
Sleep walking is pretty harmless but it can be serious when a sleepwalker gets into a car and goes for a ride. Many a times the person who sleepwalks will not remember walking, but may wake up speaking clumsily. Sleep walking is usually caused by an underlying problem, such as seizures, sleep apnea or arrhythmias.
Sleep disorders # 7: Frequent urination
Waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is such a common problem. As we get older, our bodies' ability to hold fluids for long periods reduces and this causes sleep deprivation in many adults.
The best approach to deal with this problem is by noting down how often you are waking up. If you wake up quite often, then go and see your doctor, because the cause for your sleep deprivation due to frequent urination can be an overactive bladder or urinary tract infections.
You can also treat this sleep disorder by taking simple steps like avoiding liquids for three hours before bedtime, lowering the consumption of tea and coffee and avoiding foods with high liquid content like soups for dinner.
Sleep disorders # 8: Restless leg syndrome
In this sleep disorder, the sufferer faces an almost irresistible urge to move legs or arms. This urge occurs usually when the sufferer is resting or lying down due to some uncomfortable, painful or aching situations.
The common signs and symptoms of this syndrome includes: painful feelings deep within legs which comes along with a strong urge to move them. Repetitive cramping of the legs also occurs during sleep. The painful sensations temporarily get better when the sufferer moves, stretches or massages that area
Sleep disorders # 9: Advanced sleep phase disorder
Advanced sleep phase syndrome is a disorder in which the major sleeping affair is advanced in relation to the desired clock time. The body of the patient sets a certain time and this makes the patient go to sleep in the evening and wake up early in the morning. The common symptoms are compelling evening sleepiness, an early sleep onset, and an awakening that is earlier than desired.
Sleep disorders # 10: Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that usually begins during adolescence and is distinguished by excessive daytime sleepiness with the occurrence of sleep attacks. Narcolepsy can be genetic, or can occur in the absence of any family history as well.
The symptoms of narcolepsy that may or may not be present are: cataplexy - sudden loss of muscle tone, sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations. The treatment of narcolepsy requires a mixture of behavioral modification and drug therapy.
Sleep disorders # 11: Sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs between the two phases of wakefulness and sleep. Its common symptoms are not being able to speak or move for a few minutes or seconds. At times a sufferer can even feel pressure or a sense of choking. It is mostly accompanied with other sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
Sleep disorders # 12: Kleine-Levin syndrome
Kleine-Levin syndrome or sleeping beauty syndrome is a sleeping disorder characterized by recurring periods of excessive amounts of sleeping and eating. The sufferer can even sleep for days, it sounds cool, but it can be very disastrous. When the patient wakes up, it seems his entire world is changed and he acts childish due to confusion, disorientation, lack of energy and lack of emotions. Most are bedridden, tired, and uncommunicative even when awake. The sufferer's life is completely out of focus and they are hypertensive to noise and light. They lose interest in food, games and their favorite hobbies. Affected individuals may go for a period of weeks, months or even years without experiencing any symptoms, and then they reappear with little warning.
Sleep disorders # 13: Adult bedwetting
There are two types of adult bedwetting. Primary nocturnal enuresis occurs when an adult never conquers simple childhood bedwetting associated with potty training. The other is called adult onset secondary enuresis, which begins well into adulthood.
This condition can be genetic, but a variety of factors, including diabetes, can also be at the root of the problem. Increased production of urine during sleep can lead to adult bedwetting.
Sleep disorders # 14: Night terrors
A night terror is a sleep disorder described by tremendous terror and a temporary incapability to regain full consciousness. The patient wakes up suddenly from slow-wave sleep. This is usually accompanied by out of breath, complaining, or screaming. It is often impossible to fully awaken the person, and after the event the patient usually settles back to sleep without waking.
A night terror can rarely be recalled by the patient. Night terrors are different from nightmares. Often times it can be extremely dangerous for the person, for it can cause trauma, and can even hurt someone.
Sleep disorders # 15: Hypersomnia
The disorder is made up of phases of cruel sleepiness. These periods of sleep can last for up to hours, days or even weeks. Before a person is hit with a hypersomnia attack, the patient suffers with flu like symptoms present and a long-term headache. The attack itself can cause a person to gain weight and sweat abundantly. Menstrual-Related Hypersomnia also occurs due to hormonal imbalances.
Sleep disorders # 16: Snoring
Not all snoring is sleep apnea. Snoring can cause severe sleep disorder to the sufferer as well to the person sleeping next to the sufferer. Snoring is the vibration of respiratory systems and the resulting sound is caused due to blocked air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be loud and horrible.
Snoring during sleep may be a sign, or first alarm, of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The only way to reduce this problem is by losing weight, changing your sleeping position and avoiding alcohol and other sedatives.
Sleep disorders # 17: Shift work sleep disorder
It is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that occurs when your work schedule and your biological clock are out of sync. Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by insomnia and excessive sleepiness affecting people whose work hours overlap with the typical sleep period.
There are numerous shift work schedules, and they may be permanent, intermittent, or rotating; consequently, the manifestations of SWSD are quite variable. Simple ways to treat this sleep disorder is by taking regular breaks and regulating your sleep-wake cycle by increasing light exposure at work.
Sleep disorders # 18: Sexsomnia
Sleep sex, or sexsomnia, is a situation in which a person will connect in sexual acts while still asleep. The symptoms of sexsomnia include fondling, heterosexual and homosexual intercourse, masturbation, and oral sex. Sometimes without the sleeper's knowledge, they even get into serious crimes like sexual assaults or even rape.
It is difficult for sexsomniacs to recollect what they did last night. Sexsomnia is also a symptom which occurs in other sleep disorders like sleep apnea and night terrors. This sleep disorder is mostly activated by stress, physical touch by their bed partners and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Sleep disorders # 19: Sleep talking
The symptoms of sleep talking can range from gibberish talks to long time sophisticated symptoms. Sleep talking can also be the symptom of another sleep disorder like REM or sleep terrors. Treatment isn't usually necessary—unless it's bothering your sleep partner. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is the best treatment or solution to mild sufferers.
Sleep disorders # 20: Insomnia
People suffering from insomnia either have difficulty in sleep initiation, sleep continuation or both. It is a highly prevalent sleep disorder and can be transitional or primary. Transitional insomnia is a sleep disturbance caused due to stressful life circumstances and resolves once the stress is taken care of.
Primary insomnia is poorly understood, long-term and is difficult to treat. Insomnia has an adverse impact on your mood, attention and concentration. Lifestyle changes and psychological treatments can help treat this condition.
Read more Personal Health, Diet & Fitness stories onwww.healthmeup.com
Email this article to a Friend
No comments:
Post a Comment