sleep disorders

Sleep disorders can affect anyone at any age and can be caused by a variety of reasons from anxiety to jet lag. There are also a wide variety of different sleep disorders including insomnia, sleep apnea, night terrors and narcolepsy.

Insomnia is one of the more common sleep disorders and can be caused by worrying, anxiety, illness, working shift hours and jet lag. Often a doctor will prescribe a course of sleeping tablets, however natural herbal remedies such as valerian and st john’s wort will usually work well for many people.

Insomnia doesn’t always mean lying awake all night, you may be able to fall asleep with no problem, however you then wake up during the night at frequent intervals leaving you feeling tired and lacking energy during the day. In order for your body to benefit from sleep you need to enter the deeper stages of sleep which only occur after being asleep for long periods of time. Short bursts of sleep are not so beneficial. If you suffer from this sleep disorder you can help yourself by ensuring you get plenty of exercise during the day, and avoiding alcohol before going to bed.

Sleep apnea is one of the most dangerous sleep disorders as sufferers can stop breathing multiple times during the night. These episodes or apneas may last from a few seconds up to a minute. This makes you wake up for a split second, or just enough time to start breathing again. Usually people who suffer from this sleep disorder have no memory of waking up, however one of the symptoms is day time drowsiness and an inability to concentrate. Heavy snoring is often associated with sleep apnea and one of the most annoying sleep disorders.

Sleep apnea and heavy snoring are sleep disorders that are often a result of obesity. Large deposits of fat accumulate in the neck and throat area and this can cause blockages, obstructing the airways during sleep. This usually occurs when lying on the back, so making sure that you position yourself on your side when you are asleep can help.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that results in daytime sleepiness no matter how much sleep you have had at night. It can be so bad that you may fall asleep during important meetings, when eating, or even socialising with friends. You are more likely to suffer from narcolepsy if you are very young, from the age of about 10 up until mid twenties. Sleep disorders that make you suddenly fall asleep with no warning can be very dangerous if you drive. These episodes may only last a few minutes but can badly affect your life. There are medications the doctor can prescribe for treating narcolepsy, but many can become addictive. There is however a new drug that has now become available in the past few months.

Read more in depth information on individual sleep disorders by reading the articles on this site.Sleep is vital for out health and wellbeing. Any disruption to your sleep pattern can not only affect your ability to concentrate during the day, but it can also affect your immune system making you more susceptible to catching colds and other illnesses. If you feel that you suffer from a sleep disorder it’s important to seek advice from your doctor.