Sleep Disorders And Treatments

Sleep Disorders 101

Sleep disorders are not pleasant to live with. In fact they can outright ruin people's lives. Sleep disorders are wide ranging and many people are unlucky enough to live with one type or another. However, there is hope as sleep disorders can be managed or alleviated completely. Indeed, you may be able to self manage your condition or you may need to get help from a health professional. In this blog we will discuss some of the common sleep disorders that you may or may not have heard off.

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder that manifests in snoring and pauses in breath. This is not to say that snoring always means you have sleep apnoea. People can just be 'simple snorers'. Indeed people often joke about the snoring of others. We've all heard about the snoring offender who has been banished to another bedroom! However, if snoring is a symptom of sleep apnoea then it really shouldn't be ignored. Sleep apnoea has huge health implications due to the lack of quality sleep.

The good news is that sleep apnoea is very treatable. Indeed with the help of a doctor, symptoms can be successfully managed and the patient can regain full health. For more information on sleep apnoea click here

Insomnia

Of all the sleep disorders, this is the most well know and the most commonly suffered. It is suspected that up to one third of Brits will suffer insomnia at some point in their lives. You may be suffering from insomnia if you have trouble getting or staying asleep.

Many people manage to overcome insomnia with self help. You can read our previous blog here for sleep tips that might be of use. If you need further assistance then you should seek medical help from your doctor.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is one of the less known sleep disorders. Experts are still unsure what the actual cause is. However it is thought that some medications can cause it. The symptoms manifest in the individual kicking their legs repeatedly, sometimes up to hundreds of times a night.

Exercise, a reduction in alcohol and caffeine can often help.

Sleep Terrors

Sleep terrors are intense episodes of screaming, intense fear and flailing whilst asleep. However, sleep terrors are not nightmares. People will wake from a nightmare and remember the details. However when suffering sleep terrors the individual remains asleep. Children are much more likely to suffer from this sleep disorder.

The mainstay of treatment is improving the sleep environment. However, if this doesn't improve symptoms then you should your doctor a visit.

Bruxism

If you're wearing down your pearly whites then you could be suffering from Bruxism. Bruxism means that you are either grinding or clenching your teeth. This generally happens nocturnally.

A visit to the dentist is the best course of action. A dentist can make you a gum shield that will protect your teeth from the effects of bruxism.

Narcolepsy.

This is one of the rarer sleep disorders that exist. Individuals fall asleep suddenly and without warning. Abnormalities in the brain, that control REM sleep, cause narcolepsy.

Medication is the only way to treat narcolepsy.

Sleep Walking

Sleep walking is a fairly well know sleeping disorder. The key symptom is walking whilst asleep.

Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule and a reduction in stress is key to managing sleep walking.

This list of sleep disorders is by no means conclusive. If you are suffering from any type of sleep disorder that can't be managed by healthy lifestyle changes then you should always seek medical help. Good sleep is a necessity to good health and everyone deserves a good nights rest.