Sleep Disorders: Types and Treatments

Sleep is very essential to every person's health and well-being; however, many people have to grapple with various forms of sleep disorders that disturb rest and consequently livelihood. It is good to know the types of sleep disorders and their treatments in order to efficiently manage them.

Sleep Disorders

 Types of Sleep Disorders

 1. Insomnia

It is generally characterized by difficulty initiating sleep or difficulty staying asleep. It can be acute—in which case it is short-term—or chronic, in which case it is long-term. This often happens as a result of stressful events, anxiety, or improper sleeping habits.

Symptoms:
Not being able to fall asleep
Waking up in the middle of the night frequently
Waking up very early and not being able to go back to sleep
Being excessively drowsy during the day

Treatment Options:
• Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia, or CBT-I
• Prescribed medications
• Relaxation techniques; excellent sleep hygiene

 2.Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is an event where a person has disruption in breathing while asleep. It is usually due to obstruction to the passage of air or problems with brain signals that control breathing.

Symptoms:
• Loud snoring
• Stopped breathing during sleep
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Daytime drowsiness

Treatments:
• Continuous positive airway pressure therapy
• Lifestyle changes like weight reduction, smoking cessation
• Surgical intervention in severe cases

 3. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

It is a neurological movement disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually due to uncomfortable sensations in the legs. The symptoms always occur in the evening or at night.

Symptoms:
• Unpleasant sensations in legs
• Relief with movement
• Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep

Treatments:
• Medications (dopamine agonists, iron supplements)
• Lifestyle changes: regular exercise, avoiding caffeine
• Massages and warm baths before sleeping

4. Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurologic disorder in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles by the brain. It means that people who are suffering from narcolepsy might feel extremely sleepy during the day and fall asleep suddenly.

Symptoms:
• Excessive sleepiness in the day
• Sudden loss of muscle tone—cataplexy
• Sleep paralysis
• Hallucinations

Treatment:
• Drugs and medications: stimulants, antidepressants
• planned naps
Behavioural changes: regular sleeping pattern, avoiding alcohol

5. Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders: A state or disorder whereby an individual has a perturbation in his normal sleep/wake cycle, often due to shift work, jet lag, or any other frequent sleep schedule changes.

Symptoms:

• Sleeping and waking at undesirable times
• Feeling drowsy during unexpected times
• Insomnia

Treatments:

• Light therapy
• Melatonin
• Regular sleep schedule

 Conclusion

They do affect the quality of life, and sleep disorders can be managed by appropriate kinds of treatments. Therefore, if you feel at any time that you are suffering from sleeping disorders, seek professional advice in order to diagnose your problem and find an appropriate treatment for it. Treatments directed at sleep disorders surely bring improvement in health.