Almost everybody must have experienced at some point or another, a sleep disorder like having trouble sleeping, lying awake in the middle of the night, tossing, twisting and turning, etc. and hoping somehow that sleep obliges. But sleep just does not come and you start counting the stars in the hope that the impossibility of the task might just exhaust the mind into shutting down and slipping into sleep. Often, you just welcome the dawn with weary eyes and a fatigued body. If this is a rare occurrence, then it should not be a bother. However, if sleep starts eluding you on a regular basis, then it is just possible that Mr. Sleep Disorder has starting favoring you with attention.

 

Sleep disorders are prevalent on a large scale around the world. Some are affected by recurrent, long-term sleep disorders and in some they are limited to occasional occurrences.

 

Sleep is an essential requirement and not a luxury, and even a small loss of sleeping time immediately reflects on your energy levels, efficiency, mood and the ability to handle day to day jobs.

 

Check if You Have a Sleep Disorder:

• You feel sleepy and irritable during daytime

• When you are sitting still, reading or watching television you tend to fall asleep

• Driving makes you tired or sleepy

• Difficulty in concentration

• Associates commenting that you look tired

• Trouble holding emotions under check

• Slow reactions

• Feel like napping during daytime

• Need the help of caffeinated beverages to stay awake

 

There are more that 100 types of sleep disorders. However, they can all be classified into four main types.

 

• Insomnia

• Excessive day time sleepiness

• Sleep rhythm problems

• Sleep-disruptive behaviors

 

Insomnia:

This is a sleep disorder which is a combination of difficulty in falling asleep and remaining asleep, waking up after some time and being awake early in the morning. The sleeplessness pattern may be temporary, may last for 2-3 weeks or could even be chronic.

Factors That May Lead to Insomnia:

• Depression
• Stress
• Poor health
• Inappropriate sleeping conditions such as light or sound
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Caffeine
• Excessive smoking
• Medications
• Physical problems
• Habit of sleeping during day time

 

Types of Insomnia:

Psychophysiological Insomnia:

This is a condition where the stress caused due to lack of sleep further aggravates the problem.

 

Delayed Sleep Syndrome:

This is when the internal body clock of the patient does not conform to the normal sleep timings.

 

Hypnotic-Dependent Sleep Disorder:

This is when you become immune to certain sleep medications.

 

Hypersomnias:

This is a sleep disorder where there is uncontrollable and excessive daytime sleeping.

Types of Hypersomnias:

Idiopathic Hypersomnia:

This is a sleep disorder where the cause of the excessive sleep is hard to identify.

 

Narcolepsy:

This sleep disorder involves extreme and irrepressible urge to sleep during daytime. It is caused by a malfunction of the brain mechanism which controls sleeping and waking functions of the body. You could have these “sleep attacks” right in the middle of your work, while driving or even while walking.

 

Sleep Apnea:

This sleep disorder awakens you every time the breathing stops during sleep, due to blockage of airways. This sleep order is dangerous and possibly life-threatening.

 

Self-Help for Sleep Disorders:

While some sleep disorders may require a doctor’s help, most of the sleep disorders can be overcome by carefully tracking your symptoms and sleep patterns.

 

• Improving daytime habits and incorporating regular sleep routine.

• Keeping a fixed sleeping schedule even during weekends.

• Making enough time for sleep available.

• The bedroom ambience should be to your liking.

• Phone, computers and other gadgets which are likely to interfere with sleep should be turned off in advance.