Sleep Disorders
Sleep Disorders, causes, signs & symptoms
Sleep is one of our basic biological need,which plays a crucial role in both physical and mental health. It is recommended to sleep atleast 6-9 hours every day for a healthy individual.However this can vary depending on the person.Sleep disorders involves problems in quality,timing and quantity of sleep, results in day time distress and inability to concentrate on regular activities.
Symptoms
• Day time sleepiness
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Unable to concentrate or focus
• Slowed reaction time
• Mood changes
•Issues in memorize and recall
Types of sleep disorders
There are more than 80 types of sleep disorders.Some of the common include:
Insomnia :
Is the most common sleep disorder,where individual was unable to fall asleep or stay asleep. This can describe as lack of sleep.Hypersomnia :
In this condition person experience increased sleep or day time sleep (narcolepsy).Sleep apnea :
Characterized by pause in breathing while sleeping upto 10 seconds and often accompanied by loud snoring.Parasomnias :
Includes abnormal behaviour during sleep, such as sleep walking, talking or eating.Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) :
Characterized by irresistible urge to move legs accompanied with tingling sensations.Reasons for Sleep disorders
• Genetics
• Heavy use of medication
• Stressful life events
• Psychiatric disorders
• Poor sleep hygiene regime
• Heavy use of alcohol, caffeine etc.
Treatment
Treatment for sleep disorders are based on the symptoms and severity of issues.
Some of the treatment options available includes promoting good sleep hygiene technique, cognitive behavioral therapy,
medications like melatonin supplements and sleeping pills,light therapy and aroma therapy.