Understanding Sleep Complaints

Everyone suffers from an occasional nightmare or sleepless night, but millions of Americans suffer from extremely severe sleep disorders that can negatively affect their health if left untreated. In fact, ninety-five percent of people suffering from a sleep disorder remain undiagnosed. This staggering number means that a huge population of people aren’t getting the treatment they need. In this article, we’ll talk about sleep disorders to help you decide if you need medical help.

There are over one hundred different types of sleep problems that can be classified into four categories. Insomnia include difficulty falling and staying asleep. Narcolepsy and sleep apnea are examples of sleep disorders that prevent people from staying awake. People suffering from jet lag or those who have trouble sleeping because of shift work are having a disturbance in their sleep/wake cycle. People who experience sleepwalking or enuresis are experiencing sleep interruptions associated with behavioral problems. Any condition in which your sleep doesn’t follow the typical sleep phase cycle or doesn’t stay in each cycle for a sufficient period of time is a disruptive sleep disorder.

Those who have disrupted sleep tend to not experience “restorative sleep.” Sleep deprivation can make you irritable, tired, have less focus, a lower frustration level, and can lead to exhibiting behavior that’s more emotional and impulsive. One dangerous fact about sleeping disorders is that they weaken the immune system and make us more susceptible to other diseases like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia to also suffer from other problems including diabetes, asthma or a second sleep disorder.

For parents, speaking with your health care provider about sleep disorders is a good idea if you believe your child is experiencing symptoms, because people can begin suffering while still in childhood. If your child regularly suffers from nightmares, night terrors and bedwetting, then a sleep disorder clinic may be able to give you advice on how to control the symptoms. The elderly also regularly suffer from insomnia and tend to wake often. This is attributed to numerous psychological and medical conditions. Physiological problems can be a major contributor to sleeplessness. Women, who tend to suffer from sleep disorders more frequently than men, often experience an increase in their symptoms during pregnancy and menopause.

A restless night can result in more than just daytime sleepiness, so it’s crucial to seek medical attention if you aren’t sleeping for an extended period of time. Your doctor can provide a wealth of treatment options or refer you to organizations that know more about sleep disorders. No matter which course of treatment you choose, your quality of life will definitely improve once you start getting some quality shut eye.