Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for the human body to function properly, as it rejuvenates the immune, nervous, skeletal and muscular systems. Not getting enough sleep can result in varied symptoms of sleep deprivation, including irritability, cognitive impairment and impaired judgement.

Chronic sleeplessness can pose dangers to the immune system, as a lack of sleep increases the amount of cytokine molecules which control immune system response.

Some common sleep disorders include, but are not limited to:

– Insomnia
– Sleep Apnea
– Narcolepsy

Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to obtain a sufficient amount of sleep. It is broken down into three classifications based on the duration of symptoms:

– Transient Insomnia: symptoms last less than one week
– Short-term Insomnia: One to three weeks
– Chronic Insomnia: three weeks or more

There are many causes of transient and short-term insomnia, including:

– Changes in shift work
– Jet lag
– Excessive noise
– Trying to sleep in a room that is too hot or too cold
– Stress
– Drug, alcohol, sedative or stimulant withdrawals

Most cases of chronic insomnia are usually caused by psychiatric or physiological conditions, including:

– Anxiety and stress
– Schizophrenia
– Bipolar disorder
– Depression

There are several changes that can be made to ensure a good night’s sleep is achieved.

– Do not oversleep. Sleep enough to feel rested
– Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet
– Keep a regular sleep schedule
– Do not drink caffeine after 12:00PM or so
– Do not go to bed hungry
– Avoid taking naps during the day

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a disorder in which there is a reduction and/or pause in breathing during sleep, more common in adults. An “apnea” occurs when a person does not breathe, or only takes 25% of a normal breath, for 10 seconds or longer. When they occur, apneas typically disrupt a person’s sleep, sometimes waking him/her up completely, or moving him/her into a more shallow state of sleep.

There are 3 types of sleep apnea:

1. CSA (Central Sleep Apnea): the brain fails to send the signal to the muscles to take a breath
2. OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea): the airway is obstructed, preventing adequate air flow. Kamagra During sleep, the body’s muscles relax, and the soft tissue that composes the airway can collapse, blocking air from getting in or out.
3. Mixed Sleep Apnea: a combination of CSA and OSA

There are several non-surgical treatment options one can explore if symptoms of sleep apnea are present.

– Changing sleep positions. Sleep apnea most commonly occurs when lying flat on the back
– Healthy lifestyle and diet. Obesity is a large contributing factor to OSA. A 10% weight gain will worsen sleep apnea by 30%, while a 10% weight loss will decrease it by 25%.
– Dental appliances can be fitted and adjusted by a dentist, holding the jaw and tongue forward, and the palate up.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. It is caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. The disorder affects approximately 1 in 2000 people and is thought to be genetic, starting in the late teens and lasting the rest of a person’s life.

Symptoms of Narcolepsy include:

– Excessive daytime sleepiness
– Abnormal REM slee
– Cataplexy: a loss of muscle control which can be triggered by strong emotions such as laughing.
– Hallucinations
– Sleep paralysis
– Microsleep

Narcolepsy can affect many important parts Viagra Jelly of a person’s life, including physical well-being and safety, mental health, social and professional relationships, intimate relationships, memory and attention.

There is no cure for Narcolepsy yet, but there are treatment options. Combining counseling, medication and bahavioural changes is recommended to minimize the symptoms of the disorder.

Some behavioural changes may include:

– Scheduling sleep to include several brief naps during the day of about 10-15 minutes each
– Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine
– Involve others: tell friends and coworkers in case they need to assist
– Exercise on a regular basis
– Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace

If you are experiencing symptoms, or require more information about sleep disorders, visit your physician.

Author Bio: Sam Prochazka blogs for Novosbed, the best memory foam mattress company in the world.

Category: Health/Diseases and Conditions
Keywords: sleep disorders,sleep disorder,sleep apnea,insomnia,narcolepsy,sleeplessness,neurological disorder