River Red - Health Articles Directory » Sleep Disorder and Apnea

Different Ways To Treat Sleep Disorder

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:57:10 +0000

How many hours of sleep should a person have? There is no definite answer to this question. Sleep needs vary from one individual to the other. Some people may feel fresh even after 5-6 hours of sleep while the others may be drowsy even after 10-11 hours of sleeping. The key to understand ones sleep needs is that if you are feeling tired, drowsy during the day time and are unable to concentrate on your work, then probably you need more sleep.
A good night sleep boosts the immune system and helps the body in fighting diseases. It is essential for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. People who are constantly sleep deprived are more prone to high blood pressure and diabetes.
The following are some common reasons that may lead to sleep deprivation:
1. Working long hours.
2. Stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine.
3. Light or noise in the sleep environment.
4. Stress and anxieties of work, relationships.
5. Excessive alcoholic drinks.
6. Illness, medications and drugs.
The above are just a few reasons that may trigger sleep problems. In addition to the above, an unhealthy diet and lack of proper sleep routine can also lead to disturbing sleep.
There are a number of sleep disorder treatments that are being constantly explored and researched that can aid good night sleep. These sleep disorder treatments vary from sleeping apparatus such as nasal caps (for reducing snoring) to sleep medications (herbal and chemical) and even surgery in certain cases. The following is a brief summarization of some common sleep disorder treatments.
1. Behavioral therapies: these are generally used in combination with medications to treat a number of sleep disorders such as insomnia. These therapies are to be inculcated in our daily routine and practiced everyday. These are relaxation techniques from physiotherapy, exercise postures, massages etc
2. Sleep Hygiene: These are habits that one can develop to be practiced before sleep. Having hot water bath before sleep, using firm mattress and clean sheets and ways to make the sleep environment more conducive to sleep. Listening to some soft music, some light reading or even taking a glass of warm milk before bed can help. Different habits work for different people.
3. Stimulus Control Therapy: In some cases of sleep disorder, people start disassociating with the bed and the sleeping environment. They find sofa or an armchair a more comfortable place for sound sleep. Thus, in other words, the bedroom and the associated things act as a negative stimulus for sleep. In such cases, people are encouraged to overcome such feelings by the use of cognitive thinking. Using bed only for sleeping and not as a place of watching TV or eating is emphasized.
4. Over-the-Counter-Medicines (OTC): There are a number of OTC drugs available for the treatment of insomnia and other sleep related disorders. These medications are also used as pain killers or for cough and cold. These contain sedatives or suppressants that slow down the activity of the central nervous system. These may be a good choice for instant relief but should not be continued longer. Persons taking OTC medicines should not forget to mention their physician about the same as they can contain certain ingredients that may have an adverse effect.
5. Melatonin: Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland of the brain. This helps in maintaining the body clock and the sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin production normally decreases with age. Its supplement is available and is known to be a good choice for insomnia. However, a study shows that a week’s use of melatonin has the same effect as continued for three months or so. Also, people who have a lower production of melatonin are known to have benefited with melatonin supplements. People with sufficient production of the hormone continue to have sleep problems despite use of melatonin.
6. Herbal medications: As the chemical combinations in the medicines are known to have adverse side effects on human beings, the trend of herbal medicines is growing. Valerian, kava kava, chamomile are certain herbs that are known to relax the body and reduce stress.
Sleep disorders can be very disturbing as it directly affects our performance whether at work or at school. Prolonged sleep problems can create havoc in one’s daily life. Hence they must not be ignored. Treatments of sleeping disorders can vary, depending on the specific sleep disorder, but these are certainly helpful.

What Is A Sleep Disorder?

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 04:54:55 +0000

Have you ever wondered why there are some people who seem to have less energy than others? Some people seem slower and are constantly making mistakes or having accidents. They are not able to finish their tasks each day and there seems to be no other explanation but simple “bad luck”. There are also some people who suspect that maybe there is something bothering that person or that he or she might not be feeling well. In fact, they are right! Very often, that person may be suffering from a lack of good sleep and this is exactly the reason why he or she is less productive than the other people around them! This lack of sleep can increase due to many other problems which all contribute to an eventual diagnosis of “sleep disorder”. This is no laughing matter! This situation is actually much more common than most people realize and it is what typically constitutes a need for hospitalization in many individuals. A sleep disorder involves more than just the well known cases of insomnia. There are many other cases such as sleep apnea and sleep deprivation which are also hard to diagnose but which are extremely prevalent. They can lead to loss of job, loss of marriage or very serious car accidents. Understanding just what a sleep disorder is can be the first step to preventing this very serious problem.
Sleep is a natural state of rest which involves less body movements and no awareness of the actual surroundings. Sleep can also be distinguished from other sleeplike states such as hibernation and coma because it involves certain conditions like rapid eye movement or REM. Almost all creatures sleep, including of course animals. Of course varying positions and manners of doing this exist in every person. A sleep disorder, however, is characterized by a lack of appropriate regeneration of a person’s basic bodily requirements. Less sleep means a lesser productive you! When a person lacks sleep it is very difficult for him or her to go through the day with ease. As this problem progresses, it can be considered a sleep disorder.
Often we are not aware of the complex processes which go on while we are sleeping. There are two kinds of sleep known as Rapid Eye Movement REM and Non Rapid Eye Movement or NREM. The human cycle between REM sleep and NREM is vital to every individual. Adults aged 20-60 require REM sleep to occur roughly every 90 minutes. Most adults have 20% of their total sleep time in REM sleep. Research on sleep shows that certain brain regions play a vital role in our sleep and when we aren’t sleeping correctly, the process breaks down. The correct amount of sleep usually differs with age and between individuals but there is still a required amount of REM and NREM for every person. Newborns sleep the most and require about 17-18 hours of full uninterrupted sleep. Nearly half of this time is spent in REM sleep. An average adult needs at least 8 hours of continuous sleep per night to function optimally during waking hours. Some, however, spend less time sleeping and actually have a real difficult time acquiring the complete amount of sleep. These problems are what lead to different sleeping disorders like insomnia, narcolepsy, bedwetting, sleep talking, sleep walking or nightmares.
Lack of sleep will most certainly cause us more trouble down the road and it is advisable that a person who has difficulty sleeping should compensate for this problem by resorting to certain treatments. It is also best that we stay aware of the potential problems so that when we encounter certain symptoms of a sleep disorder, we can do something about it as early as possible.
We sure don’t want a life that is less productive and less happy! Rather than compromising our own satisfaction and the satisfaction of others, we should keep an eye out for the possible symptoms of a sleep disorder and learn to ask our doctor about this potential threat to our well-being. By staying aware, we learn to stay healthy. This will all start by maintaining a solid and worthwhile sleep and by making our lives happy and peaceful from now on!

Prevention Of Sleep Disorders

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:55:45 +0000

Having a good night sleep is not always as easy as “1-2-3″ . There are a lot of people who have a hard time getting the worthwhile sleep they need. A lot of this has to do with the fact that they weren’t watching their sleep patterns and they eventually contracted a bad set of habits that led to a sleep disorder. This is why prevention is so important. Prevention is the easiest way to cure a sleep disorder because you never have to backtrack your way out of a lot of bad habits. Instead, you prevent the bad habits from forming and you avoid all the extra problems that come with a sleep disorder in the first place!
Sleep, as we all know, is a very important part of our everyday lives. It is one of the basic requirements of life. A good quality of sleep enables a person to have a healthy lifestyle and makes the body strong and ready to face the day! It also gives you extra energy you need to try some new and different things. With a good quality of sleep, you are able to take on anything that life throws your way and go on to have the confidence you need to last the entire day.
In order to successfully prevent a sleep disorder, there are some basic tips you can follow to help you stay on a healthy road. First, have a steady schedule of when you go to sleep and when you wake up. Make sure and do this everyday at the same time so as to help your body clock get adjusted and get used to this time. Taking naps in the middle of the day is not advisable because it will give you a lot of difficulty when you sleep at night. Second, caffeine is a big No-No! Colas, coffee, and alcohol should be avoided especially at night. Third, avoid eating a full meal right before going to bed. You will have a difficult time digesting it! Eating a light meal is ok and can even help you to sleep. These are some of the basics but there are many other preventative measures you can take.
Some of the secondary measures that can be taken for preventing sleep disorders include exercise and relaxation techniques. A comfy place is also a must! Make your sleeping place as comfortable as possible. Make sure it’s well ventilated, quiet, and dark. If you’re having difficulty with the lights, try sleeping with a mask on. If noise is a problem, put earplugs or get a “white noise” device to help you fall asleep. Avoid exercising just prior to your sleep time. It will make your body more stimulated and you might not be able to fall asleep easily. It is better to exercise early in the morning rather than at night. You can also try some relaxation routines to help you get into that “drowsy” mood. Try reading your favorite novel or watching a movie right before bed. You can even take a quick bath just before getting into your bed and the warm water will likely put you right to sleep!.
If your problems with sleep seem to be persistent, it is best to seek out a doctor’s advice about preventative measures as well as medical treatments. The problem may be more serious than you first thought! You just might be experiencing a serious sleep disorder! A little bit of awareness and attention to the problems of sleep may be just the thing to prevent a serious problem like this from happening. Many patients have said that they are so glad they visited a sleep clinic when they did because a serious case of sleep apnea may have already developed which was creating a more problems every day. They needed to diagnose the problem and then start a serious regimen of treatments to overcome this crippling disorder.
Sleep disorders are no laughing matter but they don’t have to be a reality if you just take into account some basic preventative measures and avoid them. This is sure to make your life a lot more enjoyable and less stressful so that you will be able to accomplish all the things in life that you have wanted to do. Both you and your family will be assured a happy, healthier life as a result of avoiding the problem of sleep disorders!

An Alternative Approach For Overcoming A Sleep Disorder

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:54:56 +0000

Having a sleep disorder can be very disruptive to everyday life. Sleep deprived people are usually excessively tired and sleepy. They tend to become irritable and very emotional. At times they become a danger, not only to themselves, but also to those around them.
Some people use alternative, natural ways to lessen the effects of their sleep disorder. Many people focus on diet and nutrition, while others use herbs and supplements. Still others believe in the positive effect of exercise, relaxation and sensory techniques, meditation or behavioral and cognitive strategies. Often people use a combination of these approaches to help alleviate the symptoms of their sleep disorder.
A healthy diet is essential for optimal energy and a restful sleep. Avoiding certain foods is as important as including others in your daily diet. Eating a wide variety of foods and drinking plenty of water will keep your body well- balanced and provide a more stable energy level. Avoiding food that is grown, treated or processed with chemicals, and limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine will also help your overall physical condition. Many foods promote a restful sleep and are helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of certain sleep disorders. Eating the proper snack before bedtime can increase natural serotonin levels. Serotonin acts as a natural sedative and is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Foods that a re rich in tryptophan include chicken, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese, fish, milk, nuts, avocados and bananas.
Many people use herbs and natural supplements as an alternative approach to treating their sleep disorder. There are many nutritional supplements and herbal products on the market. It is important to know how a specific product acts on the body as well as on the specific sleep disorder.. For example many people with restless leg syndrome have an iron or folic acid deficiency. Taking an iron supplement may alleviate some of the symptoms of RLS. Many herbs are well known for promoting a natural sleep. A clamming tea of chamomile or lemon balm can be very relaxing to many people that suffer from a sleep disorder.
Exercise and relaxation techniques, whether used alone or together, can reduce stress and muscle tension. Many people that use these techniques to lessen the symptoms of a sleep disorder do these before going to bed. They not only ease physical tension but they calm the mind and prepare the body to sleep. These techniques include mindful exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises and yoga.
Meditation and visualization are also used by some sufferers of sleep disorders to calm the body before sleep. Two common forms of mediation are meditation on the breath and mantra meditation. Both of these types can have a positive effect on relieving stress and calming the body. Many people focus their energy on a healing visualization as a method of alternative therapy for their sleep disorder.
Sensory techniques that people use to lessen the symptoms of their sleep disorder are hydrotherapy, and aroma therapy. The two main techniques included in hydrotherapy, which means water therapy, are relaxing in an Epsom salt bath and a lymph stimulating footbath. Aroma therapy includes the use of therapeutic essential oils in baths, massage oils, room sprays, and simple inhalants.
Alternative behavioral and cognitive strategies used to combat the symptoms of a sleep disorder include improving a person’s sleep hygiene, stimulus control therapy and journal writing.
Alternative practices and techniques can help many types of sleep disorders. Often they are used in conjunction with traditional medication and practices.

Sleep Disorders?symptoms of Sleep Disorders

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:55:29 +0000

Sleep Disorders vary in nature and degree. The three major sleep disorders are dyssomnias (insomnia), hypersomnia (disorders of excessive sleepiness) and parasomnias (abnormal behaviors during sleep).The journal “Spine” published a study that examined three kinds of mattresses on back pain. They looked at waterbeds, foam mattresses and “hard” mattresses. What they did was take 160 patients with back pain and randomly replace their mattress with one of the three options above. The patients slept on the new mattress for one month.

It is common among adults but rare among children. There are two types of sleep apnea, the more common obstructive sleep apnea and the less common central sleep apnea, both of which will be described later in this article. Although a diagnosis of sleep apnea often will be suspected on the basis of a person’s history, there are several tests that can be used to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment of sleep apnea may be either surgical or nonsurgical.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Particular behaviors during normal daytime activities are telltale signs of sleep deprivation. If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms during the day, you may not be getting enough restful sleep at night, and you may even have a sleep disorder.

Recurrent episodes of abrupt awakening from sleep, usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep episode and beginning with a panicky scream.

People awakened after sleeping more than a few minutes are usually unable to recall the last few minutes before they fell asleep. This sleep-related form of amnesia is the reason people often forget telephone calls or conversations they’ve had in the middle of the night. It also explains why we often do not remember our alarms ringing in the morning if we go right back to sleep after turning them off.

Loss of Energy: More than 90% of depressed people experience overwhelming loss of energy. This can cause a person to stay home and avoid social interaction, and prevent a person from starting or finishing projects, maintaining previous interests, or exercising. The effects of diminished energy compound the effects of depression, when work, school, and family obligations are compromised. Also, lack of activity results in loss of muscle tone, muscle mass, and, eventually, bone mass.

Longer total sleep time than normal in some children, especially obese children or those with severe apnea. Intense fear and signs of autonomic arousal, such as tachycardia, rapid breathing, and sweating, during each episode.

When we switch into REM sleep, our breathing becomes more rapid, irregular, and shallow, our eyes jerk rapidly in various directions, and our limb muscles become temporarily paralyzed. Our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises, and males develop penile erections. When people awaken during REM sleep, they often describe bizarre and illogical tales – dreams.

Restless leg syndrome is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation, usually in the legs, that occurs primarily at night and when a person is relaxed. The uncomfortable sensation diminishes when the legs are moved. This is commonly associated with periodic limb movement disorder, in which a patient has limb movements during sleep. It usually causes insomnia and may cause daytime sleepiness.

The main feature of this disorder is the acting out of dreams. The behavior can include punching, kicking, leaping, and running from the bed. The most common reason for medical consultation is injury to the bed partner, although the effects of sleep disruption can also precipitate such consultation. The event occurs during REM sleep.

How To Treat Sleep Disorders

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:56:24 +0000

Sleep disorders can occur in people of all ages and can cause debilitating side effects if left untreated. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that their health problems may be a direct result of a disorder. In many cases, medicine isn’t enough to treat their illness.
Some sleeping disorders need to be treated by a recognized sleep disorder center. If too much sleep or a lack of it is preventing you from functioning or pursuing activities that you enjoy, then keep reading. We’ll discuss some of the most common disorders and how they can be treated.
More than 100 different disorders of sleeping and waking have been identified and grouped in four main categories: 1) Problems with falling and staying asleep, 2) Problems with staying awake, 3) Problems with adhering to a regular sleep schedule, and 4) Sleep-disruptive behaviors. Insomnia includes any combination of difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, intermittent wakefulness and early-morning awakening.
Episodes may be transient, short-term, or chronic. Insomnia can have associated health problems, such as anxiety disorders. The most common factors that contribute to insomnia include a poor sleeping environment, caffeine, certain medications, illness, heavy smoking and daytime napping.
If you’re having trouble staying awake or experience excessive daytime sleepiness, then you could be suffering from hypersomnias. Hypersomnias include apneas, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome. Apnea can cause breathing to stop intermittently during sleep, resulting in the person being awakened repeatedly.
Narcolepsy is a condition of daytime sleep attacks despite adequate sleep at night. A person with narcolepsy may suddenly fall asleep in any situation, without warning. Restless leg syndrome is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation, usually in the legs, that occurs primarily at night and when a person is relaxed. The uncomfortable sensation diminishes when the legs are moved.
Sleep disorders can also occur when a consistent sleep and wake schedule is disrupted. This often occurs when traveling between times zones and with shift workers on rotating schedules, particularly nighttime workers. Its disruptive behaviors are abnormal behaviors during sleep and are fairly common in children but are also experienced by adults.
They include night terrors, sleep walking and REM sleep behavior disorder. Symptoms of these disorders include difficulty falling asleep, fatigue, loud snoring, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.
Simple things like reducing your caffeine intake, avoiding sweets and practicing relaxation techniques like yoga can help you to enjoy a better night of sleep. However, some sleep disorders will require medical attention. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and find out more about the treatments available.
You may be referred to a specialist who can perform tests and determine which course of treatment is best for you. This may include a combination of medication, lifestyle changes and using enhancing apparatus. Regardless of the technique, a good night’s sleep is priceless.

Common Types Of Sleep Disorder

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:57:15 +0000

Did you ever experience a long tiring day at school or work? Your body may have been aching with pain and you laid down for a relaxing sleep. What a wonderful feeling that was! Most people enjoy the luxury of sleep without realizing that it isn’t always possible for many people to achieve this. Sleep helps us in more ways than we can imagine but it sometimes eludes people who don’t even know what they were missing.
Sometimes we take for granted the great benefits that are afforded to us from a restful nights sleep and we begin to abuse the privilege by staying up too late or “burning the midnight oil” a bit too much. The more we use our body, the more that we must load up on sleep. If we don’t catch up, our body starts to get confused and this can eventually lead to a sleep disorder. First we find ourselves irritable and slow. Then we lose our ability to fully relax and we are in for a much bigger problem down the road.
Common sleeping disorders often begin unnoticed. We might just be having signs of some minor problems but we don’t think too much of it. Then we may begin to have difficulty falling or staying asleep but think this is only a “passing phase”. Little do we know, we are already experiencing, what doctors would diagnose as insomnia, a sleep disorder that results to sleepiness at other times of the day. Insomnia is the most well-known sleep disorder but it is still undiagnosed in thousands of people. It causes slow reactions in our nervous system and poor mental concentration. These factors might just lead to accidents and lesser productivity throughout the day. Stress is also considered one of the major reasons why one out of three adults experiences some degree of insomnia at one time or another.
A less common but quite alarming case of insomnia is the chronic insomnia. This is known as a severe case of insomnia which is caused by too much stress and by our body’s chemistry and medical condition. This second case of insomnia is less common than the first but still quite common overall. It also tends to go undiagnosed in many people.
Sleepy people who experience a gradual loss of muscle tone (called cataplexy) may be experiencing another type of sleep disorder known as Narcolepsy. This is a sleep related disease that affects the NREM or “Non Rapid Eye Movement” sleep. Narcoleptic patients experience sudden muscle weakening which sometimes causes them to fall. They may fall into a NREM sleep phase almost instantly and this can be extremely dangerous. A simple act of happiness or laughter may trigger what is called a cataplectic attack where the person just falls asleep and tips over! A related disease called sleep paralysis is also alarming and can occur in narcoleptics where they lose control of their muscles especially when lying down before they go to bed.
Children commonly experience a sleep disorder familiarly known as “bedwetting” which is actually called Nocturnal Enursis. This ordinarily happens during NREM sleep as does talking in your sleep and sleep walking. These disorders are also common amongst children.
Sleep Apnea is a breathing disorder which is not understood by many people and which is therefore undiagnosed in many people. It is still quite common however and is caused by the muscle and tongue relaxation on the soft palate at the throat’s base. This is the part of the throat which allows an individuals air passage to collapse especially those with narrow airways. It creates a sleeping disorder somewhat similar to snoring but it is actually a lot more serious than just snoring. Sleep apnea causes a person to lose the much needed REM phase of their sleep and thereby depletes their energy and dangerously affects their brain chemistry. A person with sleep apnea is more prone to accidents and poor health as well as poor performance at work or school.
Sleeping disorders can be avoided if we raise our awareness about them and take preventive measures to stop them. We must make sleeping a daily habit and try to get a better night’s sleep all the time. If we make sure and do this, we will surely reap the benefits soon!

What You Should Know About Sleep Disorders

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:55:56 +0000

Everyone suffers from an occasional nightmare or sleepless night, but millions of Americans suffer from extremely severe sleep disorders that can negatively affect their health if left untreated. In fact, ninety-five percent of people suffering from such a disorder remain undiagnosed.
This staggering number means that a huge population of people aren’t getting the treatment they need. In this article, we’ll talk about sleep disorders to help you decide if you need medical help.
There are over one hundred different types of its disorders that can be classified into four categories. Insomnias include difficulty falling and staying asleep. Narcolepsy and apnea are examples of disorders that prevent people from staying awake. People suffering from jet lag or those who have trouble sleeping because of shift work are having a disturbance in their sleep/wake cycle.
People who experience sleepwalking or enuresis are experiencing interruptions associated with behavioral problems. Any condition in which your sleep doesn’t follow the typical phase cycle or doesn’t stay in each cycle for a sufficient period of time is a disruptive disorder.
Those who have disrupted sleep tend to not experience “restorative sleep.” Sleep deprivation can make you irritable, tired, have less focus, a lower frustration level, and can lead to exhibiting behavior that’s more emotional and impulsive. One dangerous fact about sleeping disorders is that they weaken the immune system and make us more susceptible to other diseases like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from its deprivation due to disorders such as apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia to also suffer from other problems including diabetes, asthma or a second sleep disorder.
When gaining insight about sleep disorders, you will find that no one is immune. Many elderly people suffer from insomnia and often have to be put on medication for the condition. Some of the common disorders that affect children include night terrors, nightmares and bedwetting. Nearly seventy percent of women report that they suffer from some type of sleep disorder.
Similarly, over forty percent of women admit that daytime sleepiness disrupts their daily activities. Although menopausal and pregnant women are far more likely to suffer from such a disorder, women are two times more likely than men to experience a malady of this kind.
A restless night can result in more than just daytime sleepiness, so it’s crucial to seek medical attention if you aren’t sleeping for an extended period of time. Your doctor can provide a wealth of treatment options or refer you to organizations that know more about sleep disorders. No matter which course of treatment you choose, your quality of life will definitely improve once you start getting some quality shut eye.

Do You Suffer From a Sleeping Disorder?

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:56:45 +0000

Do you suffer from constant fatigue, poor concentration, or memory loss? Do you take naps during the day or fall asleep while you are watching television, driving, or sitting idle? If so, you may be one of over 33% of the entire population that suffers from a sleep disorder. Many people chalk these symptoms up to stress, anxiety, or being overworked but in reality many times they are suffering from sleep disorders without even realizing it.
Sleeping disorders are any condition that occurs on a frequent basis that interferes with a normal, restful night’s sleep. They can be extremely disruptive to an individual’s everyday life and they can take a toll on their overall health. If left untreated long enough, they can cause other serious illnesses, such as high blood pressure or heart problems. Unfortunately, in many cases sleeping disorders are not diagnosed until well after the diagnosis of more serious problems.
There are so many minor symptoms that present themselves with sleeping disorders. These minor symptoms can be a precursor to something that is much more serious, so it is important to recognize them. They include snoring loudly, weight gain, restlessness while sleeping, waking up feeling just as tired as you did when you went to bed, or waking up with a bad headache. Also, those who suffer from sleeping disorders tend to feel extremely fatigued throughout the day and often require at least one, if not several, naps to function even somewhat normally. Some other side effects include irritability, impulsive behavior, excessive frustration, and the inability to focus or concentrate on simple tasks. Not everyone exhibits every single one of these symptoms but most sufferers have at least one or two of them.
Sleeping disorders do not discriminate. They can affect any one at any time without regard to race, gender, or age. However, women are twice as likely to suffer from these disorders than men, especially if they are pregnant or are going through menopause. Even children are not immune from them. They can suffer from night terrors, nightmares, bed-wetting, and sleep apnea.
Fortunately, there is a test that can detect sleeping disorders. Generally, this will require spending a night or two in a sleep clinic to undergo a sleep study, also known as a Polysomnogram or PSG. The PSG works by using electrodes to record electrical signals that are emitted from the brain and muscles. These electrical signals are then converted to digital signals that can be read and interpreted by a sleep specialist to determine whether or not there is a sleep disorder present and if there is, he/she can also determine how severe it is. There are four different types of studies done with the PSG:
o The Diagnostic Overnight PSG is just general sleep monitoring and evaluation overnight.
o The Diagnostic Daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test measures the level of sleepiness during daytime hours. This test is used in diagnosing Narcolepsy and it usually done immediately following the Diagnostic Overnight PSG.
o The Two Night PSG with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Titration is a two-night study with the Diagnostic Overnight PSG taking place on the first night. If a patient is positively diagnosed with mild sleep apnea on the first night they are administered a (CPAP) machine on the second night.
o The Split Night PSG with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Titration is the same study as the Two Night PSG with the exception that everything is done in one night. This is only done if the patient is found to have moderate to severe sleep apnea.
If you suspect that you may be suffering from a sleeping disorder, do not ignore it. Sleeping disorders can be dangerous and in some cases even deadly. They are not something to mess around with. Go see your doctor and get a referral for a sleep study. Even if the PSG shows nothing, at least you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing.

Could You Have A Sleep Disorder?

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 04:55:39 +0000

It really is satisfying to have a full night of worthwhile sleep. Being able to sleep and to roll around in your bed with ease is also a great comfort. Everybody loves to relax their tired body after a hard day’s work and let their spirit get rejuvenated. Some people can fall asleep and reach dreamland in just a snap of the finger! They lie in bed and recharge their restless body. Then they wake up with a smile on their face and feel satisfied with what was a very relaxing trip.
Are you feeling sleepy? Here’s a reality check! Not all of us have ever experienced such a beautiful night’s rest as others experience so regularly. For some reason or another, there are some people who need to resort to certain alternatives because they may have developed a sleep disorder. They have an extremely hard time putting themselves to sleep each night and eventually come down with insomnia, exhaustion or any number of other sleep disorders.
Could you be one of these people who are developing a sleep disorder? A sleep disorders that haunts a large percentage of the population but are rarely diagnosed by a doctor. A lot of people have trouble just about every time they try to lay their heads down to their pillow. One of the very common types of disorder is known as insomnia. This is actually quite normal for one out of three persons because it is due to the common condition of stress and anxiety. Insomniacs are typically less productive and have a reduced mental efficacy. They have slow reactions when they are awake and they fail to understand what their problem really is.
A long term case of insomnia is referred to as Chronic Insomnia. This is a less common type of insomnia which is caused by many different factors such as the imbalance in body chemistry, stress and other internal problems. Sleeping pills are considered a common treatment for the temporary relief of insomnia but there are many cases where professional help is often required. The fact is, it is better to prevent this problem rather than finding yourself looking for a way out. Some basic sleep habits can be established early on so as to avoid this problem of sleep disorder.
Have you ever gotten out of your bed and roamed around the room or even gone outside to talk to a stationary object without even knowing it? If so, you might just be sleep walking and talking in your sleep. This is actually a disorder which can become quite serious. There are also some people who cannot avoid the urge to urinate in the middle of the night. This is a case which is called Nocturnal enuresis or more commonly known as “bedwetting”. Another sleep disorder that is diagnosable is “night terrors” which cause a person to scream out loud and suddenly awaken over and over. Yet another sleeping disorder is called sleep apnea where there is difficulty in the passage of air through the mouth. This can cause vibrations that eventually lead to disturbing noises and the inability to sleep.
Have you ever seen people who suddenly fall on the ground for no apparent reason at all? Have you ever wondered what causes so many rear-end traffic accidents each year? Commonly, these accidents happen as a result of lack of sleep, sleep disorders or even more serious conditions such as Narcolepsy. It’s not just clumsiness causing these accidents! People need to get their sleep!
Narcolepsy is another sleeping disorder which affects the NREM (Non-rapid Eye Movement) and the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep mechanisms in our brains. This condition causes people to experience a loss of muscle control and a persistent problem of sudden sleeping throughout the day. A narcoleptic attack can be caused by mere laughing or a sudden increase in your energy level. That’s pretty scary right? Narcoleptics are often treated with stimulants that help to slow down their problem of being sleepy too often and they require REM sleep suppressants to stop the loss of muscle control called cataplexy.
All these potential disorders can be treated naturally and, of course, with professional guidance. Having a full night’s sleep should not be a struggle but a privilege which every person is blessed with. Seeing the early signs of sleep disorder can help to prevent them and to bring about a happier and healthier life.