About Sleep Disorders

A sleep disorder can wreak havoc in an individual’s life if it goes untreated. From sleep apnea, to snoring, to anxiety disorders, these conditions can disrupt your much needed rest to the point where you can’t function in your daily life. Sleep disorders can occur in people of all ages. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that their health problems may be a direct result of a sleep disorder. In this article, we’ll talk about sleep disorders and the effects of sleep deprivation.

There are over one hundred different types of sleep problems that can be classified into four categories. Insomnia include difficulty falling and staying asleep. Narcolepsy and sleep apnea are examples of sleep disorders that prevent people from staying awake. People suffering from jet lag or those who have trouble sleeping because of shift work are having a disturbance in their sleep/wake cycle. People who experience sleepwalking or enuresis are experiencing sleep interruptions associated with behavioral problems. Any condition in which your sleep doesn’t follow the typical sleep phase cycle or doesn’t stay in each cycle for a sufficient period of time is a disruptive sleep disorder.

Those who have disrupted sleep tend to not experience “restorative sleep.” Sleep deprivation can make you irritable, tired, have less focus, a lower frustration level, and can lead to exhibiting behavior that’s more emotional and impulsive. One dangerous fact about sleeping disorders is that they weaken the immune system and make us more susceptible to other diseases like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia to also suffer from other problems including diabetes, asthma or a second sleep disorder.

When gaining insight about sleep disorders, you will find that no one is immune. Many elderly people suffer from insomnia and often have to be put on medication for the condition. Some of the common sleep disorders that affect children include night terrors, nightmares and bedwetting. Nearly seventy percent of women report that they suffer from some type of sleep disorder. Similarly, over forty percent of women admit that daytime sleepiness disrupts their daily activities. Although menopausal and pregnant women are far more likely to suffer from a sleep disorder, women are two times more likely than men to experience a malady of this kind.

If you’re concerned about sleep disorders, then the first person you should speak to is your doctor. He can assess your condition and recommend either sleep medicine or refer you to a sleep specialist. A lack of sleep can seriously impact your quality of life, so wake up the treatments available and get a good night of rest.