Sleep Disorders
Overview
Sleep disorders are conditions due to which a person has either trouble sleeping or trouble staying asleep. Some of the common ones are listed below:
- Insomnia – inability to fall asleep
- Sleep apnea – breathing interruption during sleep
- Narcolepsy – daytime sleepiness
- Night terrors
- Sleep paralysis
Causes
These disorders can be caused by a multitude of reasons. The most common ones are discussed below:
- Allergies
- Respiratory disorders
- Frequent urination at night
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
Symptoms
The symptoms of most sleep disorders are pretty similar to each other, and they can be listed as the following:
- Difficulty in going to or staying asleep
- Fatigue during the day
- Strong urge to take small naps during the day
- Irritability or anxiety
- Lack of concentration
- Depression
Diagnosis
The diagnostic tests used in the diagnosis of these disorders can be listed as the following:
- Polysomnography
- Electroencephalogram
- Blood tests
Treatment
Sleep disorders are generally treated with medications and lifestyle changes. The following are implied in the treatment of sleep disorders:
- Sleeping pills
- Melatonin supplements
- Breathing device
- Surgery
- Treating underlying cause
- Reduce sugar intake
- Exercise to reduce stress and anxiety
- Drink less water before bedtime
- Eat small, low carbohydrate meals before bedtime
