The list of sleep disorders never seems to end...read some more on can't sleep disorder.
Sleep disorders can be classified and grouped in several different categories. Here in this post we look at some of the most common forms of sleep disorders.
Insomnia; this is a sleeping disorder in which the sufferer finds it extremely difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep. People who suffer from this sleeping disorder find it difficult to sleep. Often because their conscious mind fails to switch off no matter how exhausted and desperate they are in need of sleep.
Other factors that contribute to a poor night sleep are medical, psychiatric and neurological disorders that range from pain to depression to anxiety attacks. These can rob you of your sleep, health and energy.
Although there are some sleep disorders which we have no control such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea, insomnia often develops from poor sleep habits and psychological stressors. Poor sleep habits include consuming excessive caffeine, staying up late at night and also going to bed at irregular times.
Environmental, emotional and physical changes are common causes of temporary sleeplessness; a change of job, moving home, a loss of a family member, financial difficulties and even jet lag can disrupt your sleep cycle and throw your natural circadian rhythm off course. People who work night shifts and work while the rest of the world is asleep are most likely to suffer sleeplessness. People who have biological clocks which are not in sync with the environment run a high risk of developing delayed sleep-phase syndrome.
Another factor that can disrupt sleep is snoring. It is all the more difficult for the room-mate or spouse who has to bear it all night long. Narcolepsy is another sleep disorder; in this case the victim may fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly. People suffering from this condition often experience severe anxiety due to the unpredictable nature of their sleep.
Parasomnias are sleep disorders that cause unusual behavior while one is asleep. What makes this sleep disorder so unusual and also dangerous is the fact that the person engages in such activities in which one would engage in a fully awakened state of mind. These activities include walking about the house and even eating!
Indeed there are far more life threatening and unusual sleep disorders than insomnia, however this doesn't stop the fact that more than a third of all people suffer from this frustrating condition.
Sleep disorders usually have their roots in a medical problem or a prescription drug taken to treat a disease. The common diseases leading to sleep disorders are cardiovascular, neurological, mental, kidney, and gastroesopheal disorders as well as arthritis.
1. Cardiovascular Disorders
The most common cardiovascular disorders that cause sleep disorders are coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Both these disorders can cause obstructive sleep apnea.
Congestive heart failure is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to satisfy the requirements of the body. As a result of this, blood accumulates in the veins leading to the kidneys, and the resulting edema inflicts a lot of damage to the organs of the body.
Coronary heart disease is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries that carry blood to the heart, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis.
2. Endocrine Disorders
Sleep disorders are also the result of endocrine malfunction such as thyroid disorder and diabetes. Diabetes affects the way in which the body stores and uses carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. People who do not manage and control their diabetic condition often suffer from restless leg syndrome.
The hormones released by the thyroid gland regulates the energy levels of the body. A person suffering from hyperthyroidism sweats profusely at night and is unable to enjoy a peaceful night's rest.
3. Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, strokes, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease are also responsible for sleep disorders.
Parkinson's disease affects the central nervous system. It's symptoms include difficulties in movement, tremors, unstable posture, slow movements, stiffness in the muscles, and difficulties in walking. Parkinson's disease causes sleep disorders such as sleep onset insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Alzheimer's disease impairs the intellectual functions of the brain and causes dementia. It also causes a sleep disorder called fragmentation.
Epilepsy affects the normal electrical functions of the brain and leads to short, sudden changes in it that are recurrent. People suffering from epilepsy are more likely to suffer from insomnia. Usually, stroke is associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Respiratory Disorders
Those suffering from a respiratory disorder such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma usually suffer from an accompanying sleep disorder such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.
The air passages of those suffering from asthma are inflamed. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a group of respiratory disorders that cause untold damage to the lungs and lead to difficulties in breathing.
5. Mental Disorders
People suffering from psychological disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, depression, and schizophrenia also suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.
6. GERD
In gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, the juices in the stomach flow back into the esophagus, and this leads to sleep fragmentation.
7. Kidney Disorders
In most kidney disorders, the kidneys are unable to filter the waste substances from the blood. They are also unable to maintain a proper balance between salt and water. Such a kidney disorder could lead to insomnia and restless leg syndrome.
8. Arthritis
The intense pain suffered by arthritis patients drives away sleep, resulting in insomnia.
If a sleep disorder is due to a medical condition, the medical condition should be treated first, not the sleep disorder. When the primary cause of a sleep disorder is successfully treated, it disappears, and the patient finds that he or she can enjoy good sleep.
Sleep disorders usually have their roots in a medical problem or a prescription drug taken to treat a disease. The common diseases leading to sleep disorders are cardiovascular, neurological, mental, kidney, and gastroesopheal disorders as well as arthritis.
1. Cardiovascular Disorders
The most common cardiovascular disorders that cause sleep disorders are coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Both these disorders can cause obstructive sleep apnea.
Congestive heart failure is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to satisfy the requirements of the body. As a result of this, blood accumulates in the veins leading to the kidneys, and the resulting edema inflicts a lot of damage to the organs of the body.
Coronary heart disease is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries that carry blood to the heart, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis.
2. Endocrine Disorders
Sleep disorders are also the result of endocrine malfunction such as thyroid disorder and diabetes. Diabetes affects the way in which the body stores and uses carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. People who do not manage and control their diabetic condition often suffer from restless leg syndrome.
The hormones released by the thyroid gland regulates the energy levels of the body. A person suffering from hyperthyroidism sweats profusely at night and is unable to enjoy a peaceful night's rest.
3. Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, strokes, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease are also responsible for sleep disorders.
Parkinson's disease affects the central nervous system. It's symptoms include difficulties in movement, tremors, unstable posture, slow movements, stiffness in the muscles, and difficulties in walking. Parkinson's disease causes sleep disorders such as sleep onset insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Alzheimer's disease impairs the intellectual functions of the brain and causes dementia. It also causes a sleep disorder called fragmentation.
Epilepsy affects the normal electrical functions of the brain and leads to short, sudden changes in it that are recurrent. People suffering from epilepsy are more likely to suffer from insomnia. Usually, stroke is associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Respiratory Disorders
Those suffering from a respiratory disorder such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma usually suffer from an accompanying sleep disorder such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.
The air passages of those suffering from asthma are inflamed. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a group of respiratory disorders that cause untold damage to the lungs and lead to difficulties in breathing.
5. Mental Disorders
People suffering from psychological disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, depression, and schizophrenia also suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.
6. GERD
In gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, the juices in the stomach flow back into the esophagus, and this leads to sleep fragmentation.
7. Kidney Disorders
In most kidney disorders, the kidneys are unable to filter the waste substances from the blood. They are also unable to maintain a proper balance between salt and water. Such a kidney disorder could lead to insomnia and restless leg syndrome.
8. Arthritis
The intense pain suffered by arthritis patients drives away sleep, resulting in insomnia.
If a sleep disorder is due to a medical condition, the medical condition should be treated first, not the sleep disorder. When the primary cause of a sleep disorder is successfully treated, it disappears, and the patient finds that he or she can enjoy good sleep.
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