Had a tiring day? Sleep is the best solution and a relaxing way of finishing off the day. However, not everyone is lucky to get an 8-hour good night’s sleep. Furthermore, some may not find the time to sleep. On the other hand, some have the time but are not able to sleep. Across the globe, many people are facing sleep problems. Furthermore, the tremendous amount of stress is a huge aspect of not getting sleep. Therefore, causing a lack of rest, sleeping abnormalities & diseases. Sleep disorders are growing widely worldwide, due to the stress, workload, worry & many other aspects.
What are Sleep Disorders exactly?
Sleep disorders are mainly connected to sleep. Firstly, the quality of sleep. Secondly, how much a person asleep in the day. Thirdly, the various aspects that occur when one is asleep. Lastly, the different various health aspects that affect the resting part of an individual.
To sum it up, these disorders mainly occur because of disturbances in sleep, Furthermore, lack of sleep, or sleeping too much. This resulting in difficultly leading a normal life.
A Peek into Sleep Disorders: Dyssomnias
Basically, the term dyssomnia means difficulties in sleeping, unable to sleep properly. Moreover, this is based on the quality of sleep. Some individuals may be sleeping too much. On the other, some might sleep very less (insomnia). Individuals suffering from this do not feel refreshed. Furthermore, they feel tired and are not able to focus on the work the entire day.
Insomnia Disorder
This is one of the most common disorders found worldwide. Many people think that people suffering from this disorder, do not sleep at all. But, this is impossible. However, sometimes individuals can go a day or two without sleeping, but after that, they do take small naps. These naps are called micro-sleeps (lasting a couple of seconds or sometimes even longer). People with insomnia have trouble falling asleep. Secondly, they keep getting up at night. Thirdly, if they get up at night, then they have difficulty falling back to sleep. Lastly, when even after taking a good 8-hour rest, they feel tired & not fresh.
Insomnia is characterized by the above symptoms along with the pointers given below:
- Early morning awakening for no reason. Furthermore, the individual’s s inability to fall back to sleep.
- The person is unable to initiate or go to sleep.
- The symptoms are occurring for at least 3 nights per week.
- The prolonged distress is for 3 months in a row.
- Taking rest disturbances occur even when the individual has enough opportunities to do so.
Hypersomnolence Disorder- Too much is not good as well
We all use the term hyper on a day to day basis. It basically means “in great amount” or excess. Sleeping too much or in an excessive amount during the night & sometimes even during the day. This is one of the most common sleeping disorders. A few characteristics & symptoms of this disorder are as follows:
- The person self-reports that they are indulging in excessive sleeping. They feel like this even after resting sufficiently for 7 hours.
- Continuous and recurrent lapses of rest during the day on the same day.
- An unrefreshing prolonged sleep which is more than 9 hours per day.
- It occurs for 3 nights a week for 3 months.
- The person is distressed most of the time during this period.
Narcolepsy
It is a sleeping problem where the individual doesn’t have control over when to rest. The individual undergoes Cataplexy. It is the sudden loss of muscle tone & is not in the control of the individual. The person is completely awake when this happens. But, the range with which it affects a person can vary. Therefore, mild weakness in the muscles around the face can occur. On the other hand, when cataplexy is major, the individual foes in physical collapse. To sum up, cataplexy is the result of a Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM). Many might think that Narcolepsy is a sleeping disease but it is a sleep disorder instead.
The Diagnostic Criteria of Narcolepsy
A. The individual had repeated episodes of uncontrollable sleep during the day. Repeated napping & lapses of sudden resting occur within the same day. The symptoms must be present 3 times per week, for a duration of 3 months.
B. Any one of the following must be seen :
- Cataplexy episode must have occurred. An episode of it is defined by either of the following:
- In people who have the long standing disease, small episodes of sudden Bilateral loss of muscle tone occurs. Furthermore, this is maintained by complete consciousness & thereafter giving rise to laughter or sometimes joking.
- Many a time among children or some individuals, within 6 months episodes in a different manner are seen. Immediate grimaces or jaw-opening with tongue thrusting is seen. This is not because of any emotional trigger from the surroundings.
2. The lack of hypocretin in the body. This is measured by the CSF hypocretin- 1 immunoreactivity values.
3. After observation and usage of machines, it is seen that REM sleep latency less than or equal to 15 minutes. On the other hand, the mean sleep latency should be less than or equal to 8 minutes. Furthermore, the initiation of 2 or more REM periods must be there.
A Peek into Sleep Disorders: Parasomnias
Many might consider these as sleeping related diseases. But, these disorders are mainly characterized by abnormal activities. Moreover, these activities occur when a person is in a deep resting state. For instance, sleepwalking, nightmares, and many more. The following are the various disorders under parasomnias:
- Sleep talking– a person doesn’t realize that they are talking about something. For instance, talking in the form of small words too long sentences can take place.
- Sleepwalking– is where a person walks unknowingly in their sleep. This in mild cases doesn’t cause much trouble. But, when there are severe cases it can get intense. For instance, when an individual is a severe case, they can open the door of the house not knowing they did so. This is mainly dangerous as the person is unable to remember anything after coming to the conscious state.
- Bedwetting– is when an individual urinates in the bed when asleep. This is mainly not in the control of the individual. Up to a particular age, these behaviors are acceptable. But, if bedwetting continues even after growing old, then training & therapy need to be taken.
- Nightmares- are basically very disturbing dreams that wake the person up from their complete rest state. Furthermore, nightmares are accompanied by intense anxiety on a daily basis when trying to sleep.
- Teeth grinding, Groaning or Jaw-clenching are a few more abnormal activities that take place.
Most Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
Worldwide there are few indications that show difficulties & inability to stay asleep. The following are a few common symptoms:
- The person has difficulty falling asleep or even staying asleep.
- Constant tired & fatigue. The person feels unfresh all the time, even after taking rest for long hours.
- Individuals constantly feel like taking a nap or lying on the bed.
- Extreme irritability or nervousness. Mainly people get irritated over even small things.
- Extreme or drastic changes in your sleeping pattern.
- Changing behavior and movement when a person is asleep.
- Lack of being able to focus. The productivity of an individual starts decreasing.
- Breathing patterns when asleep are different. Moreover, can be noticed by others.
What are the Main Causes of all the Sleep Disorders?
Problems related to sleep are can start off with very minor things. For instance, when a person has too much work from the office. On the other hand, business owners and stock market individuals constantly have profits and money on their minds. Therefore, these small aspects can act as a catalyst for sleep problems. Furthermore, it becomes severe and a disorder later on.
There are some causes which are not in our hands. Therefore, individuals just have to deal with it and take treatment for it. This is mainly found in breathing-related disorders when a person is asleep.
Stress, Worry & Anxiety
As mentioned above this can be one of the main reasons for these problems. When a person has too many things on their mind. Stress and constant worry disturb being in a state of resting. Sometimes a person can feel too exhausted and rest too much. On the other, hand there are some who might not sleep at all. Mainly because they are unable to fall asleep, even after trying.
Here is a Guide to Overcome Stress. Click here.
Body Pain which is Acute & Chronic
As we grow old, our body also ages. Different problems in the body can lead to sleeping disease, problems & disorders. Body ache in the form of arthritis. Secondly, backache & ache near the waist area. Thirdly, frequent headaches don’t allow the person to rest properly. Furthermore, the head becomes heavy as well. Any other minor aches anywhere in the body can be the result of not being able to fall or maintain being asleep. Many might feel due to lack of sleeping, diseases are occurring to them.
Time & Again Feeling like Urinating
Also known as Nocturia ( an urge to frequently urinating). This is a major disturbance to a person who is asleep deeply. The constant getting up, during the night time disrupts rest. The body takes some time to fall back to a deep resting state. But, when this is constantly taking place, it is very difficult to be fresh during the day time.
Individuals with Diabetes & those with hormonal imbalance might have this issue.
Breathing related aspects can be one of the major causes of not being able to rest properly. Difficulty in breathing leads to getting up from a rested state. Even when snoring, a person gets up frequently.
Allergies like dust allergies can be very stressful. Sneezing, coughing & rashes also happen for some. Therefore, at night this can lead to disrupting day to day resting patterns.
One of the main ways of getting rid of sleeping diseases, disorders & problems is through Meditation. Here are a few Techniques & Benefits of Meditation. Click Here.
The American Psychological Association ( Official Website) keeps updating the recent news on various disorders related to Mental Health.
FAQ | Sleep Disorders and Problem – Guide to Sleeping Disease
In the first place, insomnia is really common around the world. Narcolepsy & Sleep Apnea is also being diagnosed among people in recent times. Thirdly, Restless Leg Syndrome is another disorder that is prevalent across the globe.
In total there are 4 stages to falling asleep. Every person glides from a state of being awake to light sleep which is the first stage. In the second stage, the person goes into a Non- Rapid Eye Movement Stage (REM). Moreover, this stage is featured by sleep spindles. Lastly, the third & fourth stage is deep resting state. Each stage has an occurrence of different waves. Deep resting-state having delta waves.
Disturbance, when one is sleeping, is highly irritating when it happens frequently. Firstly, the individual becomes irritated & anxious. Secondly, tired and not feeling fresh is common. Thirdly, the inability to focus & concentrate during the day. Furthermore, productivity decreases as well. Lastly, as the person is not well-rested, they might have frequent urges to take a nap.
Editor’s Note | Sleep Disorders
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have gone in loss. Furthermore, people are unemployed & layoffs are taking place. Stress & worry is prevailing in each and every household. The mere tension of the deathly pandemic. In addition to that, stress in relation to finances can be an overload. Many might not be able rest properly. Therefore, resulting to inability to take complete rest at any part of the day. The pandemic has affected mental health. Furthermore, it is affecting peoples sleeping patterns as well.
Take care. Rest Well. Be Safe
