Sleep disorders are very common. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, 50-70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. If you are one of those people, you may be wondering how to tell if you have a sleep disorder. The truth is, there isn’t one definitive answer to that question. Sleep disorders can manifest themselves in many ways and vary from person to person. However, there are some signs and symptoms that may indicate that you have a sleep disorder. In this blog post, we will discuss some of those signs and symptoms so that you can get a better idea of whether or not you need to see a doctor about your sleeping habits.
One of the most common signs of a sleep disorder is insomnia. If you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder. Another common symptom of sleep disorders is excessive daytime sleepiness. If you find yourself nodding off during the day or struggling to stay awake, it could be a sign that you need to see a doctor about your sleeping habits. Sleep disorders can also cause changes in your mood and behavior. If you feel irritable or anxious for no reason, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder. If you think you might have a sleep disorder, the best thing to do is to see your doctor. They will be able to help you determine whether or not you need to seek treatment for a sleep disorder.
There are treatments available that you can talk to your patients about for the five most common
sleep disorders:
• Insomnia
• Sleep Apnea
• Narcolepsy
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.
Insomnia Treatment
Insomnia is the term for difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. There are two different types of insomnia. Transient or short-term insomnia and chronic insomnia.
- Transient or Short-Term Insomnia. This type of insomnia often occurs in the aftermath of a stressful life event — for example, losing a loved one or going through relationship issues. It can also happen if you work shifts or have jet lag. You might be unable to relax, experience disturbed sleep, and may be unable to pinpoint any real reason for your inability to sleep.
- Chronic Insomnia. Chronic insomnia is characterized by experiencing non-restorative sleep, having difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep for at least one month. You feel exhausted during the day. If you have chronic intermittent insomnia, you experience a sleeping pattern with a few nights of good sleep, alternating with many nights of insomnia.
There are various reasons you can develop insomnia. These include:
• Poor sleep hygiene
• Sleep-related breathing disorders
• Medical conditions
• Disrupted sleep-wake schedule
• Hormonal changes
• Limb movements during sleep
• Circadian rhythm disorders
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious yet common sleep disorder. Your airway repeatedly becomes blocked, and you’ll stop breathing. When this occurs, you might make choking noises or will snore loudly. You wake up as your body and brain are oxygen-deprived. You may find this happens once or twice a night. However, it can happen hundreds of times a night in severe cases.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
You could have sleep apnea if:
• You wake up during the night with a dry or sore throat.
• You snore loudly.
• You wake up from time to time gasping or choking.
• You feel extremely sleepy during the day.
• You lack energy in general.
• You suffer from headaches.
• You feel tired and irritable.
Narcolepsy Treatment
Narcolepsy causes you to suddenly fall asleep at any time, no matter where you are. Oftentimes, you fall asleep uncontrollably during unusual circumstances, such as while eating. People with narcolepsy are unable to regulate their sleep-wake cycle.
Common Symptoms of Narcolepsy
You could have narcolepsy if:
• You fall asleep without warning.
• You feel very drowsy during the day.
• You have sleep paralysis.
• You experience cataplexy (temporary loss of muscle control that makes you feel weak or could make you collapse. Cataplexy is usually a response to emotions like anger or laughter).
• Hallucinations as you transition from wake to sleep (hypnagogic) or from sleep to wake (hypnopompic).
• Insomnia and disturbed nighttime sleep.
Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) presents an uncontrollable urge or desire to maneuver your legs while resting. You could also experience unpleasant aching, tingling, burning, and a feeling that something is crawling in your calves. Sometimes you feel these uncomfortable sensations in other body parts
Common Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome
You could have restless legs syndrome if:
• You feel strong urges to move your legs.
• You suffer from a crawling sensation or ache in your legs.
• Your symptoms are worse when you’re inactive.
• Your symptoms get worse at night.
• You find some relief from your symptoms when you stretch, walk, or move.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Treatment
When you have REM sleep behavior disorder, you act out your dreams while you sleep. You lack the muscle paralysis most people experience while asleep. When the condition causes danger to you or anyone around you, it’s taken particularly seriously.
Common Symptoms of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
You could have REM sleep behavior disorder if:
• You move your limbs in your sleep.
• You shout, talk, hit, punch, scream, and more while asleep.
Sleep disorders can be extremely disruptive and dangerous if left untreated. If you think you may have a sleep disorder, it’s important to get checked out by a professional. Contact us for our sleep disorder treatment – we can help you get your life back on track. Thanks for reading!.
