| Sleep disorders can occur in people of all ages and | | | | to stop intermittently during sleep, resulting in the |
| can cause debilitating side effects if left untreated. | | | | person being awakened repeatedly. |
| Unfortunately, many people are unaware that | | | | Narcolepsy is a condition of daytime sleep attacks |
| their health problems may be a direct result of a | | | | despite adequate sleep at night. A person with |
| disorder. In many cases, medicine isn't enough to | | | | narcolepsy may suddenly fall asleep in any |
| treat their illness. | | | | situation, without warning. Restless leg syndrome |
| Some sleeping disorders need to be treated by a | | | | is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation, |
| recognized sleep disorder center. If too much | | | | usually in the legs, that occurs primarily at night |
| sleep or a lack of it is preventing you from | | | | and when a person is relaxed. The uncomfortable |
| functioning or pursuing activities that you enjoy, | | | | sensation diminishes when the legs are moved. |
| then keep reading. We'll discuss some of the most | | | | Sleep disorders can also occur when a consistent |
| common disorders and how they can be treated. | | | | sleep and wake schedule is disrupted. This often |
| More than 100 different disorders of sleeping and | | | | occurs when traveling between times zones and |
| waking have been identified and grouped in four | | | | with shift workers on rotating schedules, |
| main categories: | | | | particularly nighttime workers. Its disruptive |
| 1) Problems with falling and staying asleep, | | | | behaviors are abnormal behaviors during sleep and |
| 2) Problems with staying awake, | | | | are fairly common in children but are also |
| 3) Problems with adhering to a regular sleep | | | | experienced by adults. |
| schedule, and | | | | They include night terrors, sleep walking and REM |
| 4) Sleep-disruptive behaviors. | | | | sleep behavior disorder. Symptoms of these |
| Insomnia includes any combination of difficulty | | | | disorders include difficulty falling asleep, fatigue, |
| with falling asleep, staying asleep, intermittent | | | | loud snoring, anxiety and difficulty concentrating. |
| wakefulness and early-morning awakening. | | | | Simple things like reducing your caffeine intake, |
| Episodes may be transient, short-term, or chronic. | | | | avoiding sweets and practicing relaxation |
| Insomnia can have associated health problems, | | | | techniques like yoga can help you to enjoy a |
| such as anxiety disorders. The most common | | | | better night of sleep. However, some sleep |
| factors that contribute to insomnia include a poor | | | | disorders will require medical attention. Talk to |
| sleeping environment, caffeine, certain | | | | your doctor about your symptoms and find out |
| medications, illness, heavy smoking and daytime | | | | more about the treatments available. |
| napping. | | | | You may be referred to a specialist who can |
| If you're having trouble staying awake or | | | | perform tests and determine which course of |
| experience excessive daytime sleepiness, then | | | | treatment is best for you. This may include a |
| you could be suffering from hypersomnias. | | | | combination of medication, lifestyle changes and |
| Hypersomnias include apnea, narcolepsy and | | | | using enhancing apparatus. Regardless of the |
| restless leg syndrome. Apnea can cause breathing | | | | technique, a good night's sleep is priceless. |