In general, sleep disorders are medical conditions that negatively impact how people sleep. Regardless of the cause — from stress to health problems — they are becoming alarmingly common in Americans aged between 20 and 60.
What Causes Sleep Disorders?
The majority of patients with sleep disorders have difficulty sleeping because of excessive stress, busy schedules, and other external influences. The problem occurs when these sleeping difficulties happen regularly and impede on daily living. There are plenty of sleep disorders, with the most common ones being insomnia, sleep apnea, parasomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome.
The symptoms that come with sleep disorders is dependent on the type and severity of the sleeping disorder, and these symptoms also usually vary from one patient to another. All these symptoms will have a huge impact on a person’s concentration, mood, energy, and ultimately, general health. The symptoms could likewise differ when the disorder is caused by an underlying health condition. Basically, however, common symptoms include the following:
- Trouble staying or falling asleep
- Over fatigue during daytime
- Anxiety or irritability
- A desire to nap during daytime
- Depression
- Lack of mental focus
In some instances, a sleep disorder could be an indication of an underlying mental or medical condition. In cases like these, the sleeping disorder will usually go away when the underlying condition has been properly treated. On the other hand, if it is not caused by a health condition, sleep disorder treatment typically includes a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatments.
What You Can Do If You Have a Sleeping Disorder
You should consult a sleep specialist such as the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Northern Indiana in the event that you have tried different self-help treatments that just didn’t work. This is especially crucial if the following scenarios are true:
- You cease breathing, choke, or gasp while sleeping.
- Your primary issue is excessive daytime sleepiness and all the self-help remedies you’re doing aren’t working.
- You find yourself falling asleep at inappropriate times like when speaking, eating, or walking.
It is every critical that you get a diagnosis and subsequent sleep disorder treatment as early on as possible if you think you are suffering from a sleeping disorder. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the adverse effects of your condition could result in more damaging health consequences. So don’t just “sleep” through your life and get prompt treatment right away.