7 common sleep disorders and how to find relief
In a recent survey, over one fourth of adults in the U.S. report they have a problem sleeping most of the time and 68 percent say they experience a problem at least once a week.
This isn't only annoying, however. The consequences of sleep disorders can be severe. We know that people who don't get enough rest tend to be more depressed and vulnerable to infection, weight gain, heart disease, attention deficit—and in severe cases, experience a higher death rate.
Common problems
Some of these disorders are more common than others, but all of them require treatment if they persist for a long period or affect your quality of life.
These are the symptoms some of the most common ones and possible treatments:
1. Insomnia: When it's hard to doze off or stay asleep, it may be due to stress, anxiety, too much caffeine, ambient light or noise. These are things you can probably do something about, but there may also be no discernable cause. Sedatives are not recommended as a long-term solution. Cognitive behavior therapy is often recommended for chronic insomnia, which involves developing good nighttime habits and practicing a relaxation routine before bed.
2. Obstructive sleep apnea: People with apnea will actually stop breathing during the night, even hundreds of times in extreme cases. Oftentimes your partner will awaken to hear you gasping, choking or snoring very loudly. The consequences can be severe, including a high risk of hypertension and stroke. A specialized study can diagnose apnea and may involve surgery or wearing a CPAP device during the night to ensure your airway remains open.
3. Restless legs syndrome: RLS causes a strong desire to move your legs when sleeping, and may involve pain, burning, crawling or tingling sensations in your calves. Women experience it more than men, and it may be caused by pregnancy or certain medications. Although there is no known exact cause, it is sometimes associated with other diseases. Treatment generally involves limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, an exercise program, and medication in the most extreme cases once certain medical conditions have been ruled out.
4. Narcolepsy: Those with narcolepsy have trouble staying awake during the day and sometimes fall asleep randomly, no matter what they're doing. Understandably, this can be very dangerous. It can also result in hallucinations, "sleep paralysis" in which you're awake but unable to move or speak, or problems sleeping at night. It may be genetic. Aside from lifestyle changes, narcolepsy can be treated by medication.
5. Night terrors: While children usually grow out of night terrors, adults get them too. This may involve screaming, fear and thrashing. While nightmares wake you up, you don't awaken during night terrors even though you can appear alert, and you may not remember them. A specialist can check for medical conditions and recommend at-home strategies for coping and keeping everyone safe.
6. Sleepwalking: Sleepwalkers wander around while asleep and may raid the refrigerator or engage in other odd behaviors—some people even drive while asleep. Of course, there are potential dangers in these cases. Again, it's more common in children than in adults. In spite of what you may have heard, it's fine to awaken a sleepwalker and can be dangerous not to. Improved sleeping hygiene, therapy and even hypnosis can help.
7. Bruxism: This is tooth-grinding while sleeping. It usually stems from extreme stress, can wear down the teeth over time and cause headaches and a sore jaw. Aside from finding ways to reduce stress during your day (such as therapy and exercise), a dentist can fit you for a mouth guard to prevent it.
Start getting relief
Being tired all the time is not only bad for the body, it's bad for the mind. Rest is essential to our well-being, and a lack of it can create a host of different physical and psychological conditions.
If you or a loved one suffers from one of these problems, get help. Start with a sleep study in a specialized facility. It will greatly improve health and your overall quality of life.