More often than not, we dismiss sleep disorder symptoms as just ‘just stress’ or ‘maybe I slept on the wrong side of the bed’ or even ‘I HAD to binge that series tonight’ Some things sounding too familiar, right? Though these occurrences are quite common in nature and ignorable; it is of utmost importance to make sure that they don’t turn into habits and eventually a lifestyle.
What exactly can be classified as sleeping disorders?
Healthline states that ‘sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Whether they are caused by a health problem or by too much stress, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common in the United States’
The Sleep Foundation goes a step further into details – ‘ These disorders can contribute to other medical problems, and some may also be symptoms for underlying mental health issues.
In 1979, the American Sleep Disorders Association published the first classification system dedicated to sleep disorders. Our knowledge and understanding of sleep health have evolved over the past four decades. More than 100 specific sleep disorders have been identified’
The Cleveland Clinic sums it up by stating that ‘Sleep disorders are conditions that impair your sleep or prevent you from getting restful sleep and, as a result, can cause daytime sleepiness and other symptoms. Everyone can experience problems with sleep from time to time. However, you might have a sleep disorder if:
- You regularly experience difficulty sleeping.
- You are often tired during the day even though you slept for at least seven hours the night before.
- You have a reduced or impaired ability to perform regular daytime activities’
Types of sleeping disorders that you should definitely know about:
Sleeping disorders can be of varying characteristics and nature. Some may be inherently severe and some may become severe or even fatalistic in nature caused by complications arising from the disorder itself. Some of the most common sleeping disorders can be classified as :
- Insomnia is the lack of ability to fall or remain asleep. 50% of the adult American population is known to suffer from one of the most common sleeping disorder
- Sleep Apnea is characterized by a ‘pause’ in breathing while an individual is asleep.
- Parasomnias are abnormal behaviors ( sleepwalking, sleep talking, bed-wetting) during the course of sleeping.
- Narcolepsy occurs when one suddenly falls asleep while awake cause of extreme fatigue or tiredness
What are the most experienced signs and sleep disorder symptoms?
As research suggests, one can experience certain sleeping problems at least once or twice during their lifetime. But, how much is too much? When it comes to identifying a sleeping disorder, prevention is always better than a cure! If you are experiencing the following symptoms for more than 30 days continuously, it is time you schedule an appointment with your physician, who will suggest the best course of action:
Disrupted sleep and sleeping pattern
Trouble falling or staying asleep irrespective of you cutting down the caffeine and practicing sleep hygiene? Time, you look closely at it, as a symptom!
Fatigue
The most common symptom is daytime fatigue. Feeling tired like you just ran a marathon everyday needs immediate medical attention.
Lack of focus and poor concentration
This one is the most commonly ignored symptom of a sleeping disorder. This very occurrence need not always because ‘you just don’t feel like it’
Frequent napping or wanting to nap
Feel the need to take frequent naps on a regular basis? It might just be more serious than you think.
Inexplicable weight gain
Inexplicable weight gain is said to be an underlying symptom of an already existing sleeping disorder. Recording and weight-watching is a must, especially if you are not sleeping fine and right for a lengthy period of time.
Irritability and anxiety
Feel like you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed, every day? Chances are, these conditions are brought upon by an underlying sleeping disorder.
Unusual breathing patterns
Heavy breathing, obstructive breathing, breathing through the mouth can occur because of a very nascent sleeping disorder like sleep apnea.
So, what causes a sleeping disorder and how can you overcome it?
The best way to overcome a sleeping disorder is self-observation leading to an early diagnosis. Sleep disorder symptoms like chronic pain, underlying conditions/diseases, traumatic events, emotional and mental upheavals, stress, depression, and anxiety are the most common causes that end up paving the way for sleep disturbances and disorders.
Lifestyle changes can also act as a catalyst for overcoming minor sleeping disorders. A regulated sleep schedule that determines the right pattern is necessary for that ‘good’ night’s sleep every day. Investing in a device that does the work for you, is also a tried and tested method to knowing more about how to ‘sleep effectively’ Sleep information related to self is of utmost importance in order to identify problems with sleeping and eventually finding a way to act on them.
