What Are The 5 Major Sleep Disorders?

Today we hear a lot around us complain that they have sleep disorders or are unable to sleep and rest nicely. Some consider this issue a result of excess tiredness, and some believe this issue to be the result of excess stress, thinking, and having a confused mind that does not allow your body to rest and your brain to shut down to sleep.

Sleeping disorder is an issue that has to be taken care of. There are a few typical cases of sleeping disorders where the individual is not able to sleep, such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and last but not least, restless legs syndrome.

Today, one-third of the United States suffers from a sleep disorder, and they have common issues with sleeping. The main reason for the sleep disorder has to be cured from its root so that the individual can sleep and give rest to his mind and body at the end of the day.

Lack of sleep, on the other hand, affects the mood of the individual, the capability to perform any task, and finally, has a negative impact on the mood and energy level of the individual.

In this regard, let us read between the lines to understand more about sleep disorders, their types, and their causes to understand more about this general issue and find a solution.

Sleeping Disorders: Names and Their Symptoms

Five types of sleep disorders are fortunately treatable and can be cured. So if you find any of the issues and symptoms, make sure to get yourself checked and get a quick solution and treat your sleep disorders.

Insomnia

There are two types of insomnia that causes difficulty in sleeping such as transient or short-term insomnia and chronic insomnia.

In the first case, transient insomnia occurs after a stressful life event, so the individual starts having difficulty sleeping. It causes unavailability to relax, and the individual will face disturbed sleep and even be unable to understand the reason behind the sleep disorders he is having.

On the other hand, chronic insomnia is mainly characterized by one individual experiencing a month of restorative sleep. The case is prone to occur at least once a month when the individual feels exhausted during the entire day.

There are specific reasons why the individual can start developing insomnia, such as:

• Poor sleep hygiene
• Movement of the limb while sleeping
• Changes in the hormones of the individual
• Certain medical conditions

Now you can understand whether you have insomnia or not if you:

• Are not able to sleep even though you are exhausted.
• You cannot sleep enough, and you still feel tired and moody.
• Lastly, if you experience disturbed sleep and are tired even when you wake up.

Sleep Apnea

Another sleeping disorder that has caused serious issues sleeping is sleep apnea.

It is all about obstructive sleep apnea, which is all about the airways getting blocked repeatedly. The individual stops breathing and makes choking noises or snores loudly.

Once this happens, the individual wakes up as if he had no oxygen to breathe. The issue occurs almost twice a night, and some of the common symptoms are:

• The individual will wake up at night with a sore throat.
• The individual starts snoring loudly.
• The individual gasps for air and feels like choking.
• The individual feels extremely tired and sleepy throughout the day.
• Headaches and irritations are very common.

Narcolepsy

The third type of sleep disorder is narcolepsy, where the individual falls asleep suddenly no matter where he is. The individual will fall asleep while eating or during uncontrollable situations. There are common symptoms of narcolepsy, such as:

• The individual will fall asleep without any warnings.
• Feeling drowsy throughout the day.
• The person will even experience cataplexy, which is known to be a temporary loss of control over the muscles, making the individual weak and tired.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Last but not least, we should add that restless legs syndrome is also a sleep disorder caused by an uncontrollable urge to maneuver the legs while the individual is resting.

The person will surely experience unpleasant pain, tingling, and burning in the calves. The common symptoms are:

• A strong urge to move legs.
• The person will suffer from a crawling sensation or even feel pain in the legs.
• There is a sense of relief once the individual stretches his legs.
• The symptoms are bound to worsen at night and once the person is inactive.

What Sleep Disorder Requires a Medical Specialist?

It is a frequently asked question, and today many are worried about their health and desire to know what sleep disorder requires a medical specialist. In the case of sleep apnea, it is essential to see a specialist as the case is life-threatening and happens when the person faces breathing interruption while sleeping.

The case is serious, and you are forced to get yourself checked as it can often cause irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. So if you desire to be on the safe side, make sure you visit the specialist as soon as possible.

What Causes Sleep Disorder?

Causes of sleep disorders vary from individual to individual. Some of the most common causes seen and reported so far are allergies and respiratory issues that make it challenging for the individual to breathe while he is sleeping.

Frequent urination or nocturia results in the person waking up frequently to visit the washroom, disturbing the sleep.

Chronic pain is the other well-known cause of sleep disorder where the individual finds it difficult to sleep due to constant pain. Chronic pain can result from arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, and pain in the lower back.

Stress and anxiety are the backbones of sleep disorders. It is prevalent today, and many suffer from it. It happens when there is a negative impact that affects sleep.

It can either result in sleep disorders or nightmares that can disrupt the badly.

Are you suffering from a sleep disorder? How do you handle the situation when you cannot sleep or face the abovementioned circumstances? Do tell us. We would love to hear from you.