Don’t Sleep on These Sleeping Disorders

When ask about sleeping disorders they know, a lot of people will immediately blurt insomnia. But there is more to sleeping disorders than just not being able to sleep. Forty million or one out of every six people in the United States suffer from some sort of sleeping disorders but a majority of these cases are unreported and undiagnosed since the people who suffer from them are not aware that something is wrong with their sleeping habits and patterns.

This is very dangerous as some of these sleeping disorders can severely interfere with one’s health if not acted upon immediately. Undiagnosed and untreated sleeping disorders have been linked to the following conditions:

• Obesity. Loss of energy due to lack of sleep are often unconsciously supplemented by sugary and fatty foods. Lack of energy also lead people to live a sedentary lifestyle.

• Chronic diseases. Poor quality sleep can spike blood glucose levels which can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Obesity can also increase a person’s risk for heart diseases.

• Death. Some sleep disorders interfere with breathing which can cause sudden death. Chronic diseases and obesity are two of the most common causes of death in the United States.

Given the dangers posed by undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders, it becomes almost imperative for people to learn about the different kinds of sleeping disorders and practice tips on reducing their occurrence and effects.

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)
DSPS refers to an interruption of the circadian rhythm that makes a person unable to sleep and wake up at the desired times. The circadian rhythm refers to the physiological and biochemical processes of living things that regulates a person’s responses to hormones and external cues such as daylight. It allows people to anticipate and prepare for precise and regular environmental changes. Interference in the circadian rhythm can result into drastic changes in sleeping patterns and other habits.

Restless Leg Syndrome
This refers to sudden and involuntary movement of the legs during sleep. RLS may start at any age, including early childhood, and is a progressive disease for a certain portion of those afflicted, although the symptoms have disappeared permanently in some sufferers. Excessive leg and body movement during sleep can cause a person to injure himself unwittingly.

Sleep Apnea
This disorder refers to obstructions in airway and breathing during sleep. It causes snoring and sudden awakenings in case breathing stops suddenly.

Sleep Paralysis
As it name implies, this disorder induces paralysis before or after sleeping. The paralysis may be accompanied with auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations.

Ways to Minimize Occurrence of Sleep Disorders
There are several ways to minimize occurrence of sleep disorders including medications and home remedies. However, it is best for patients to consult their doctor or a sleep specialist before trying any of these types of treatment:

1. Help your body adjust to new sleeping schedules.
Switching to a night shift job or changes in schedule can disrupt sleeping habits. For daytime sleeping, it is important for patients to try and keep their room as dark as possible to simulate a nighttime feel. If they are accustomed to sleeping eight hours at night, they should try to do the same during their daytime snooze. This way, they minimize the adjustment their bodies have to do.

2. Keep healthy lifestyle habits.
Bad lifestyle habits can further burden a sleep-deprived body. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits by exercising and getting proper nutrition are encouraged among patients. It will also help if they quit habits like smoking and drinking as these activities result to poor quality sleep.

3. Take sleeping medications.
There are a lot of sleeping aids available in the market today. A patient can use a generic sleep aid or a prescription sleep medication if the sleep loss is too severe and debilitating. However, care should be take when using these medications since they can cause side effects if used improperly.

Article Source: http://www.series-of-articles.com

Kristine Anne Gonzaga is a content writer and researcher who specializes in health topics and health-related issues. She delights in finding tips and ideas on simple and practical healthcare and sharing them through her writing. DrugstoreTM.com is a reputable online drug store. From sexual health to a woman's health, sleeping aids to weight loss pills, our online pharmacy offers convenient customer access to various health medicines, including an array of health product and medicare prescription drug.Buy Soma | Buy Fioricet

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated