Sleep Disorder - To Call The Doctor Or Not?

Experiencing difficulty in sleeping for any great length of time may well indicate that you suffer from a common sleep disorder.

Today more than 35 million Americans reportedly suffer from a chronic sleep disorder (sleeping difficulty that lasts for more than one month) and as many as 30 million more suffer from a shorter term or "transient" sleep disorder (sleeping difficulty that lasts for less than four weeks).

Commonly triggered by upcoming events (such as important meetings or interviews), jet lag, or a passing illness (like a cold or the flu), a mild sleep disorder presents relatively little difficulty in terms of its management and, if left to its own devices, will often pass quite quickly. This said, many simple steps can be taken to both reduce the effects of mild insomnia and to speed its passing.

A persistent sleep disorder however will rarely disappear of its own accord and may well require pro-active treatment. Prolonged sleep disorders include conditions such as chronic insomnia, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Difficulty in getting to sleep, staying asleep, waking through the night (and being unable to get back to sleep), or waking too early in the morning, when experienced for any length of time (and certainly for more than four or five weeks), warrants a diagnosis. You should also begin exploring natural sleep remedies that can help you get a better night's sleep, not to mention assisting you in effectively managing your problem.

The most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder, insomnia, also represents one of the easiest problems to treat. Simple lifestyle adjustments, structured relaxation or meditation, or a variety of herbal and natural sleep remedies will often provide a cure.

Like insomnia, sleep apnea is another sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. The most dangerous of all sleep disorders, sleep apnea occurs when air flow through the windpipe is temporarily obstructed during sleep, often due to the relaxation or collapse of surrounding muscles. Sleep apnea is most commonly associated with snoring, although snoring alone is not necessarily indicative of sleep apnea.

Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder marked by uncontrolled "mini sleeps" during the day (even when the sufferer otherwise appears completely alert), is sometimes confused with sleep apnea; however, these represent two very different conditions.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), another sleep disorder that ranks as one of the most frequently diagnosed, affects more than twelve million people in the US alone each year. Unlike other common sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome combines the physical symptoms of a sleep disorder like insomnia with neural symptoms such as periodically uncontrolled limb movement and a tingling sensation in the legs and feet.

While a serious sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea, chronic narcolepsy or restless legs syndrome requires the intervention of a medical professional, there are still various ways in which you can actively manage your sleep disorder. In fact, numerous natural sleep remedies can help you get a better night's sleep and effectively deal with your sleep disorder, without resorting to sleeping pills or artificial sleep enhancers.

These sleep remedies are too numerous to discuss them in any detail in this short article, but they include melatonin and Valerian root, two natural alternatives to sleeping pills, as well as aromatherapy, color or chroma therapy and guided relaxation and meditation. Chamomile or lavender teas and infusions are also an excellent natural remedy for managing various sleep disorders.

While some persistent sleep disorders do certainly merit investigation by your doctor, chronic insomnia can, more often than not, be cured without the need for medical intervention. Understanding the underlying causes of your insomnia and then making a number of simple changes to your lifestyle or routine can make a dramatic difference to the quality of your sleep. With the added help of one or two natural sleep remedies, you can then soon say farewell to this particular sleep disorder.

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including: "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies", "Jet Lag - An Alternative Approach", "Shift Work Insomnia" and "The Art of Meditation - A Guide To Meditation, Breathing and Relaxation Techniques"
For further details please visit http://help-me-to-sleep.com

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Taking A Sleep Disorder Test - First Step To Better Sleep

Knowing whether you have a sleeping disorder is difficult to find out by yourself. However, it is important to find out if you are suffering from one in order to help yourself get better sleep and become more functional during the day. One sure way to find out is through a sleep disorder test.

Why You Need the Test

Most of us probably do not know what goes on even in our own bodies while we are asleep. A lot of people therefore may end up suffering from a sleep disorder simply because of a lack of awareness of the symptoms and the condition, hence a need for a good sleep disorder test.

There are several types of sleeping disorders but the most common ones are insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea. All these sleeping disorder conditions can be fatal and it is believed that at least 1 out of 3 Americans suffer from a sleep disorder of some sort. At the least, undiagnosed sleep disorders could affect your quality of life, making you less able to interact productively with others and perform even simple tasks. The physical stress and drain of a sleep disorder could also be psychologically damaging, leading to feelings of intense frustration and helplessness. At the worst, a sleep disorder could either be a sign of an underlying medical condition or could lead to more serious medical conditions like stroke and heart ailments.

Taking a Self Test

Although you may not be aware of what goes on as you sleep, you can perform your own sleep disorder test. You simply have to look at your own symptoms as a basic sleep disorder test. You should be worried for example if you wake up and don't feel refreshed, if you have trouble sleeping or if you wake up frequently at night or too early.

Observe changes in your own disposition and behavior during the day. A quick temper, irritability, lack of concentration are only some points to note in your own sleep disorder test. Take note too if you frequently meet accidents and if you feel sleepy during the day.

Products for Self-Testing

Insomnia can be tested with a sleep disorder test pack that can measure your hormone levels. If you are doing a saliva sleep disorder test, look for the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that manages a person's perception of night and day and the cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Some people with insomnia though may have lower levels of melatonin. A sleep disorder test that will check you melatonin levels will help you determine if you need to take added melatonin supplements that are available even without a prescription.

Professional Testing

If you are not sure about the signs and symptoms, a professional opinion may be necessary. There are many kinds of tests but the most common professional sleep disorder test involves a sleep study.

In a sleep disorder test done by a professional, you may be asked to stay in the sleep disorder clinic or hospital for several hours, depending on what sleeping patterns are being checked. The procedure entails wires to be attached to you in order to monitor your heart rate, brainwaves, and breathing. Qualified personnel will then score your results for your doctor to interpret. Your doctor will then provide you with the necessary treatment for your condition. A succeeding sleep test may be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

Do you have any sleep disorder symptom? Read how a sleep disorder test can help as first step to gaining better sleep.

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