Sleep Disorders

Is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night? Do you wake up feeling tired or feel very sleepy during the day, even if you have had enough sleep? You might have a sleep disorder. The most common kinds are

Insomnia - a hard time falling or staying asleep
Sleep apnea - breathing interruptions during sleep
Restless legs syndrome - a tingling or prickly sensation in the legs
Narcolepsy - daytime "sleep attacks"

Nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, sleep talking, head banging, wetting the bed and grinding your teeth are kinds of sleep problems called parasomnias. There are treatments for most sleep disorders. Sometimes just having regular sleep habits can help.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

The following features are indicative of Sleep Disorders:

difficulty falling asleep at night
waking up during the night
waking up too early
not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep
sleepiness
depression
difficulty paying attention
increased errors
ongoing worries about sleep
loud snoring
breathing cessation during sleep
abrupt awakenings
shortness of breath
awakening with a dry mouth
sore throat
morning headache
insomnia
hypersomnia
attention problems
irritability

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Common Causes of Sleep Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Sleep Disorders:

stress
travel
works schedule
poor sleep habits
eating too much late in the evening
relaxed back throat muscles
low levels of oxygen in blood

Other Causes of Sleep Disorders

The following are the less common causes of Sleep Disorders:

mental health disorders
sleep-related disorders
caffeine, nicotine and alcohol intake

Risk Factors for Sleep Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Sleep Disorders:

over age 60
female
mental health disorder
long-lasting stress
irregular schedule
excess weight
thicker necks
narrowed airway
family history
use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
smoking
nasal congestion
heart disorders
narcotic pain medications
stroke

Prevention of Sleep Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Sleep Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:

do not drink caffeinated drinks a few hours before going to sleep
maintaining sleep hygiene
avoiding naps
maintaining normal weight
exercise regularly
avoiding use of alcohol
keeping nasal passages open at night
quit smoking

Occurrence of Sleep Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Sleep Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:

Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Sleep Disorders can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Sleep Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Sleep Disorders:

Physical exam: To assess the signs of medical problems that may be related to insomnia
Sleep habits review: To evaluate the sleep-wake pattern and the level of daytime sleepiness
Sleep study: To monitor and record a variety of body activities while you sleep
Nocturnal polysomnography: To monitor heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while sleeping
Home sleep tests: To measure heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns

Doctor for Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Sleep Disorders:

Neurologists
Psychiatrists
Sleep specialists
Pulmonologists
Otorhinolaryngologist
Sleep medicine specialist

Complications of Sleep Disorders if untreated

Yes, Sleep Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Sleep Disorders is left untreated:

higher risk of accidents
lower performance on the job or at school
mental health disorders
increased risk and severity of long-term diseases or conditions
daytime fatigue
hypertension
heart problems
type 2 diabetes
metabolic syndrome
liver problems

Procedures for Treatment of Sleep Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Sleep Disorders:

Cognitive behavioral therapy: Helps in alleviating the negative thoughts and actions that keep you awake
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): Helps keep upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring
Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP): Reduce snoring and daytime sleepiness in people with mild obstructive sleep apnea
Oral appliances: To keep throat open and relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea
Surgery: To enlarge the airway through nose or throat that may be vibrating and causing to snore or that may be blocking upper air passages and causing sleep apnea
Supplemental oxygen therapy: To treat central sleep apnea
Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV): To normalize breathing pattern and prevent pauses in breathing
Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP): To assist the weak breathing pattern of central sleep apnea

Self-care for Sleep Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Sleep Disorders:

By changing sleep habits
By limiting large meals and beverages before bed
Lose excess weight: Help to relieve constriction of throat
Regular exercise: Help ease the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea
Avoid alcohol and certain medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills: Help ease the breathing
Quit smoking: Helps prevent the symptoms

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Sleep Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Sleep Disorders:

Acupuncture: Effective for people with insomnia
Yoga: Improves the sleep quality
Meditation: Helps in improving sleep and lowering the stress

Time for Treatment of Sleep Disorders

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Sleep Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:

In 1 - 4 weeks

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.

This page provides information for Sleep Disorders.

Restless Legs

Sleep Apnea

Snoring