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Sleep Disorder |
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 General Info about Sleep Disorder |
| What are the causes of Sleep Disorder ? |
| What are the symptoms of Sleep Disorder ? |
| How can we diagnose Sleep Disorder ? |
| How can Sleep Disorder be treated ? |
| More valuable information about Sleep Disorder |
| Frequently asked questions about Sleep Disorder |
| Glossary |
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| General Info about Sleep Disorder |
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep… wrote the famous English poet Robert Frost in his poem Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening. As the poet reminds you about the promises you have to keep in life, it is also necessary that you get a sound sleep to keep those promises.
Sleep disorders are of different kinds and the reason behind each disorder varies. This may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive total sleep time or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep.
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| What are the causes of Sleep Disorder ? |
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| What are the symptoms of Sleep Disorder ? |
 Difficulty in falling asleep.
Daytime drowsiness.
Loud snoring.
Feeling sleepy during the day.
Fatigue.
Depression and anxiety.
Lower leg movements during sleep.
The symptoms may differ with the various types of sleep disorders :
Insomnia
Insomnia or lack of adequate sleep includes any combination of difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, intermittent wakefulness, and early-morning awakening. This may be for a short-term (lasting 2 to 3 weeks). Illness, depression, anxiety, stress, poor sleeping environment, caffeine, abuse, alcoholism, heavy smoking, physical discomfort, daytime napping, certain medical conditions, and other sleeping habits like going to bed early, and excessive time spent awake in bed are common factors associated with insomnia.
Hypersomnia
Disorder of excessive sleepiness is called Hypersomnia. This includes symptoms of loss of breathing in between the sleep and it is called sleep apnea. This affects middle-aged men and causes excessive daytime sleepiness.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is another condition in which the person will be feeling very sleepy during daytime even after getting a sound sleep at night.
Nocturnal myoclonus
Nocturnal myoclonus is the third disorder in the group with periodic lower-leg movements during sleep with associated daytime sleepiness, or complaints of insomnia.
Problems in having a regular sleep schedule
For many people maintaining a consistent sleep and waking up schedule as a result of disruptions of normal times of sleeping and wakefulness is difficult. This happens to persons traveling between times zones and working in shifts on rotating schedules, particularly with night time workers.
Parasomnia
Some people with sleep disorders exhibit abnormal behaviors during sleep and they are called parasomnias. This condition is common in children.
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| How can we diagnose Sleep Disorder ? |
Diagnosis is done through patient’s explanation about the condition and tests such as Multiple sleep latency test and polysomnography.
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| How can Sleep Disorder be treated ? |
In treating sleep disorders the underlying cause has to be treated first.
Insomnia - The treatment is related to the cause, if it is determined. If there is an obvious physical or psychological cause, it is treated. Change in environment and lifestyle also helps to treat this condition. Control of light, noise, caffeine or other stimulants, or erratic hours of wakefulness should be made. Medicines to induce sleep are not advised.
Hypersomnia - Sleep apnea is treated with weight reduction and the administration of air under pressure through the nose. Occasionally, surgery or other measures may be needed. Narcolepsy is treated with stimulating medicines at the daytime. Treatment of Nocturnal myoclonus is done by treating the underlying disorder.
Parasomnias - Night walking is treated with Psychoanalysis and counseling.
Sleep disorder clinics help people restore normal sleeping patterns through various techniques. |
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| Frequently asked questions about Sleep Disorder |
I am in my fifties and I find it difficult to get normal sleep these days ?
Sleep patterns change as one gets older. Also, older people may have multiple medical problems, they may be taking many medicines that could be interfering with one’s sleep. Sleep apnea is another most commonly found sleep disorder suffered by elders. |
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| Glossary |
REM - Rapid Eye Movement.
Sleep apnea - Difficulty with normal breathing patterns during sleep.
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