The Different Kinds Of Sleep Disorders

Sep 16
07:06

2010

Regina Prentice

Regina Prentice

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Sleep disorders are a complicated problem in America. We lead such hectic lifestyles between work, home and recreation that we are prone to getting sleep deprived. A lack of solid sleep is a common cause of car accidents, job failures and poor school performance. With sleep problems, we end up having problems in our relationships because we have irritability and mood swings.

mediaimage

There are a number of sleep disorders.  Some are trivial while others are severe.  You can suffer from sleep disorders from newborns to old age and even our pets can suffer from sleep problems.  Bedwetting is a sleep disorder that is common in children and that goes away as the child ages.  Others have difficult cures,The Different Kinds Of Sleep Disorders Articles such as narcolepsy that is when you fall asleep at inappropriate times.

Types of sleep disorders

Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common type of sleep disorder, especially in young people.  It is the result of not being able to get to sleep at night and can also cause frequent wakening.  Women get it more than men and it can be caused by anxiety or depression.  One good treatment for insomnia is melatonin, a hormonal therapy that allows you to fall asleep.  Good sleep hygiene is important as are behavioral therapies.

Restless Leg Syndrome

This is the constant need to move your legs when you are trying to sleep.  You feel uncomfortable tingly or burning sensations in your legs that is only relieved by moving your legs.  You cannot get a good night’s sleep when you want to move your legs all the time.  It can happen at any time during the day and isn’t just a nighttime phenomenon. 

You can use self help methods for treating restless legs syndrome. Iron sometimes works as does electrical stimulation for your legs.  Sleeping with a pillow between the legs also helps. 

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a condition where you sleep at inappropriate times.  You feel sleepy during the day and can suffer from hallucinations when you sleep.  You can fall asleep quite suddenly. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be a result of obesity or a brain dysfunction and results in an inability to get enough breath during sleep.  Basically your airways collapse during sleep and you can’t get air into your lungs.  You then have a period of loss of breath that ends when you gasp and breathe again. It can affect the quality of sleep greatly. 

Jet Lag

Jet lag happens when you travel  over several different time zones and have problems getting a good night’s sleep on either end of the trip.  Melatonin works well to reset the sleep point so you are sleeping normally in no time.   

Women tend to get more get lag than men and it is often accompanied by dehydration, lack of a decent appetite, insomnia, poor sleep patterns, headaches and fatigue.  You should try to sleep and awaken according to the time zone you are actually in and it helps to get a lot of sunshine, regardless of where you are at. This also helps set your sleep wake cycle so you sleep better at night.   

Also From This Author

Sleep Problems can Ruin Your Life–4 Steps to Better Sleep

Sleep Problems can Ruin Your Life–4 Steps to Better Sleep

Do you have sleep problems regularly? Are you unable to sleep at night? And even when you do, do you keep tossing and turning on the bed? If this is the case then you would know that sleep issues can really make things go bad for you in your daily life because you are unable to work properly, concentrate on the things that you are supposed to accomplish or make sure that you get things done on time. In addition to that you tend to become irritable and there are marriages and relationships that have broken due to sleep issues like insomnia.
All about Sleep Problems in Children

All about Sleep Problems in Children

Sleep is an extremely important part of our lives. Not only does it provide us with the physical rest that we all need, it also rejuvenates the mind so that it can think of creative ways to manage situations. While sleep is important for all, it has an additional significance when it comes to children. Children grow and develop when they are asleep and it is not unusual to see children have phases in which they shoot up and become tall. In addition to that, you can imagine the state of the household where the child is irritated due to sleep problems.
Insights into Studies of Sleep Disorders

Insights into Studies of Sleep Disorders

There have been thousand of sleep disorder studies done throughout the world. There are a lot of sufferers of sleep disorder so this is an area that is ripe for study by researchers interested in knowing the causes and treatments of these conditions. The various studies are designed to help you sleep better and sleep more soundly. Sleep disorder studies attempt to uncover the possible causes and treatments for insomnia or other sleep disorders. It’s important to remember that many disorders of sleep are as a result of a psychological mechanism.