Sleep disorders cause abnormal sleep patterns and sleep deprivation, which are not only unpleasant and inconvenient, but can also weaken your immune system and damage your health. When you don't get enough sleep, or when your sleep is continually disturbed, it becomes difficult and sometimes impossible to maintain energy and go about your normal work and home life routines. A variety of therapies and medications are available to treat chronic sleep disorders. Speak to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping or consistently feel tired, ill or dysfunctional, even after a full night's sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a form of interrupted sleep that results from a breathing problem. People with obstructive sleep apnea have weak muscles in their windpipes, generally due to aging. The airways temporarily collapse during sleep and the person automatically wakes up so that the windpipe muscles can contract and breathing can continue. Sleep apnea can also signal a problem with neurons (brain cells). Obesity, enlarged tonsils, alcohol and sedative use can all contribute to sleep apnea. Lifestyle changes, special bedding, mouth appliances and air masks are used to treat sleep apnea. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Insomnia
Insomnia is an inability to fall asleep, either initially or after waking up prematurely. It may be a short-term or chronic condition and is more common in older people, though insomnia can also affect children and teenagers. Insomnia usually results from routine stress, shift work, travel, excess alcohol or caffeine consumption, poor sleeping habits, eating before going to bed or emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Any medical condition that causes pain, difficulty breathing or a need to get up during the night to use the bathroom can be an underlying cause of insomnia. Some medications can also cause sleep disturbances. Cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques and anti-anxiety and sleep medications are some of the treatments that can help people with insomnia.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a disorder that causes a feeling of tingling or burning in the legs while lying down or sitting. The only way to find relief is to move the legs. When this occurs during sleep, the jerking leg movements often wake the person up throughout the night, although there may be no memory of waking. A similar condition known as periodic limb movement disorder affects both arms and legs. Some of the same relaxation techniques, lifestyle changes and medications that help people with insomnia can also help people with RLS.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a genetic, neurological disorder that results in spontaneous and excessive sleep. The brain is unable to manage normal sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy suddenly fall asleep for periods of time lasting seconds to about half an hour. In addition, people with narcolepsy suffer from abnormal sleep patterns that cause them to feel tired most of the time. Narcolepsy is a chronic condition for which there is no cure, but it can be treated with behavioral strategies and medications.
