Sleeping disorder
How many times have you stayed awake in the dead of the night counting sheep? If it is fairly often then you could be suffering from a sleep disorder!
Sleep disorders (somnipathy) are a range of problems that disrupt regular sleep.
Now days many people are suffering from this disorder from teenagers to old age. Sleep disorders cause more than just sleepiness. The lack of quality sleep can have a negative impact on your energy, emotional balance, and health.Most people occasionally experience sleeping problems due to stress, hectic schedules, and other outside influences.
Sleep Disorder – Types
Lack of sleep – Insomnia
Excessive sleep – Narcolepsy
Disrupted sleep
Sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
REM sleep behavior disorder
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
Sleep Disorders – Symptoms General
Lack of sleep or sleeplessness
OSA
Loud snoring
Intermittent gasping / choking during sleep
Stoppage of breathing during sleep
Sleep Disorders – Causes
- Aging
- Shift work sleeping problems Shift work sleep disorder occurs when your work schedule and your biological clock are out of sync. In our 24-hour society, many workers have to work night shifts, early morning shifts, or rotating shifts
- Mental / Physical illness
- Delayed sleep phase
- People with delayed sleep phase disorder are unable to get to sleep earlier than 2 to 6 a.m. no matter how hard they try. They struggle to go to sleep and get up at socially acceptable times.
- lost sleep during travel
- lot of stress and anxiety often have a negative impact on sleep quality. It can be difficult for you to fall asleep or to stay asleep. Nightmares, sleep talking, or sleepwalking may also disrupt your sleep.
- Genetics
- Stress
- Medications (eg. anti-depressants)
- drink too much alcohol or caffeine
- Constant pain can make it difficult to fall asleep. It might even wake you up after you fall asleep.
- Blindness
Sleep Disorders – Diagnosis
Self diagnosis by paying attention to daily routine
- Maintaining a sleep diary
- Doctor consultation
- Physical exam
- Sleep study
- Polysomnogram
Sleep Disorders – Treatment
Sleep disorders can interfere with normal life and therefore must be treated
Treatment includes lifestyle changes, devices and medications Lifestyle changes suggested –
- Quit smoking/alcohol
- Regular exercising to reduce weight
- Keep a regular sleep schedule going to sleep and getting up at the same time each day, including the weekends.
- Set aside enough time for sleep. Most people need at least seven to eight hours each night in order to feel good and be productive.
- Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet.
- Cover electrical displays or gadgets
- use heavy curtains or shades to block light from windows, or try a sleep mask to shield your eyes.
- Turn off your TV, smartphone, iPad, and computer a few hours before your bedtime. The type of light these screens emit can stimulate your brain
- If you have back pain or neck pain problem use clumsy pillows
- Nix Naps You’ll rest better at night. But if you have to snooze while the sun’s up, keep it to 20 minutes or less. Nap in the early part of the day.
- Sleep on the side and not on the back
- Use of nasal sprays and allergy medicines
OSA is dangerous and needs serious therapy.
- Mouth piece or oral appliances
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)machine to blow air into throat
- Surgery (for serious cases) to widen breathing passage
- Mouth piece or oral appliances
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)machine to blow air into throat
- Surgery (for serious cases) to widen breathing passage
Sleeping Disorders Sweet Dreams – Sleep Well!
Latest Publication and Research on Sleep Disorder
- Vanishing lung mass in a patient with asthma.– Published by PubMed
- Severe onychophagia and finger mutilation associated with obstructive sleep apnea.- Published by PubMed
- CPAP Compliance Study and Circadian Rhythm Disorders.- Published by PubMed
- Improved Neurobehavioral Performance during the Wake Maintenance Zone.- Published by PubMed
- Are sleep onset/maintenance difficulties associated with medical or psychiatric comorbidities in nondemented community-dwelling older adults?– Published by PubMed
Written By:
Deepti Rawat
Trainee Medical Coder, Delhi
