Up All Night: 4 Common Sleep Disorders that Might Affect You

Common sleep disorders affect more people than you might imagine. Getting enough sleep every night is something that is so important for our physical and mental wellbeing. However, many people struggle with sleeping disorders which can severely impact their ability to get the amount of shuteye that they need.

While there are more than 70 different recognised sleep disorders, here we will just talk about four of the most common which you could potentially be suffering from.

Insomnia

Right at the top of the list, about half of all people are said to suffer from insomnia at some point during their lives. And worse than this, 10% are said to suffer from the condition chronically. The most common symptoms are difficulty going to sleep at night, trouble returning to sleep in the middle of the night and waking earlier in the morning than intended.

Some of the most common causes have been linked to stress, environmental problems, and medical issues. However, a lot of the time, people simply don’t know why this occurs. There are plenty of sleep inducing techniques that you can try but it is worth consulting with a professional if the problems persist.

Sleep Apnea

Many people go into sleep clinics to deal with obstructive sleep apnea, though many others simply don’t know that they are suffering from it. This condition is characterised by the sufferer stopping breathing for several seconds due to an obstruction in their upper respiratory system.

Partial blockage and result in snoring while full blockage can cause a stoppage in breathing altogether. This can be a very problematic condition which can lead to more serious consequences than simply tiredness.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is characterised by an almost uncontrollable need to move your legs during sleep. All kinds of sensations can be felt including aching, itching, and burning, with only temporary relief provided by massaging the legs.

Though this is a waking condition too, it can be particularly disruptive when you are trying to drift off for the night. The causes and risk factors are varied but if this is something that seems to be affecting you, they are all worth looking into in more detail.

Narcolepsy

A less common condition than the previous three, narcolepsy basically involves the brain struggling to control your sleep/wake cycle. Chronic daytime sleepiness is common, and sufferers often end up falling asleep unexpectedly. Beyond this, sufferers have also reported issues like sleep paralysis, cataplexy, hallucinations and disturbed nocturnal sleep.

Are common sleep disorders affecting you?

If you believe that you are suffering from any of the above conditions, it is important that you get yourself a good mattress, the best firm pillows and of course, speak with your primary care physician who will then refer you to a sleep clinic. Ultimately, getting your condition diagnosed is the first step and you can then go on to receive treatment to improve things and hopefully get your sleep back on track.

Summary

Article Name

Up All Night: 4 Common Sleep Disorders that Might Affect You

Description

Have you been getting enough rest, or are you up all night? Here are 4 common sleep disorders that many people suffer at one time or another.

Author

Guest

Publisher Name

Alyce Vayle | Content Strategist

Publisher Logo