Sleep disorders: The 5 major sleep disorders and how to avoid them
By Davis Muli
Sleep disorders: The 5 major sleep disorders and how to avoid them
As human beings, it is recommended that we should at least have 7 to 8 hours of straight sleep. However, with the current lifestyle, it can become a bit impossible to have a straight 7 to 8 hours sleep. This has resulted into sleep disorders.
Sleep disorder has been described as changes in the way that one sleeps. A sleep disorder can affect your overall health, safety and quality of life. On the contrary, sleep disorders are not death sentence. Once you suffer from it, you can always recover easily and get that much needed ‘goodnight’ sleep.
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But before that, it is important to understand the 5 major sleep disorders and hoe you can avoid them.
- Insomnia
Insomnia has been defined as a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. This is the most common sleep disorder among adults. According to online sources, Insomnia varies in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. It can be short-term (acute insomnia) or can last a long time (chronic insomnia). It can also come and go, with periods of time when a person has no sleep problems. Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. Insomnia is called chronic when a person has insomnia at least three nights a week for three months or longer.
When it is mild, Insomnia can be cured by strictly following a sleeping routine but when it is acute, your doctor can prescribe certain sleeping pills for a limited period of time.
- Sleep Apnea
Mayo Clinic describes Sleep Apnea as a type of disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. “If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea,” an article from their website reads. Loud snoring can indicate a potentially serious problem, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you fatigued, sleepy and irritable. However, for milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking.
- Restless Leg Syndrome
This is an irresistible urge to move the limbs, not just legs. Often occurs in the evening or during periods of rest. Experts say that people who have this hereditary condition can kick or move hundreds of times a night, every single night. Regular exercise, reduction in caffeine and alcohol can greatly help in overcoming this condition. For severe cases, medication can be prescribed.
- Sleepwalking
It is basically walking while sleeping. It is mainly caused by Lack of sleep or inefficient sleep, some medications, Illness or fever. It’s most common in children, and no one is quite sure why. It is however attributed to brain development. Reducing liquids near bedtime, a quiet sleep environment and maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help in reducing sleepwalking.
- Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that involves excessive, uncontrollable daytime sleepiness. It is caused by a dysfunction of the brain mechanism that controls sleeping and waking. If you have narcolepsy, you may have “sleep attacks” in the middle of talking, working, or even driving. Although no cure yet exists, a combination of treatments can help control symptoms and enable you to enjoy many normal activities.
