According to the CDC, the average adult aged 18 to 60 needs at least 7 hours of sleep at night. If you routinely fall short of that amount, or if the sleep you get tends to be fitful and interrupted, chances are you feel you lack the energy needed to make it through the day. Problems with sleeping can negatively impact mood, along with increasing your risk of getting into a car accident. You may be wondering about getting treatment for sleep disorders. If so, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re having problems with sleeping, you’ve probably already discovered that finding the culprit can be tricky. While we all sometimes experience a restless night because we have too much on our minds or are uncomfortable, some people experience long-lasting sleep disorders that can be challenging to pin down and resolve.
If you can’t sleep, you may be contending with one of the following sleep disorders:
Insomnia
Insomnia may be the most widely known and discussed of sleep disorders, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. When you struggle with insomnia, you frequently have trouble falling or staying asleep.
In the course of a restorative, healthy night of sleep, you will go through rapid eye movement (REM) as well as non-REM (NREM) sleep repeatedly. The REM, or dreaming, phase of sleep can be thwarted when you suffer from insomnia. Even if you don’t mind missing out on the experience of dreaming, WebMD reports that this phase is important because it stimulates that part of the brain involved in learning.
Sleep Apnea
Those with sleep apnea tend to wake up throughout the night—sometimes numerous times—because their bodies are not receiving enough oxygen during sleep. This medical condition can take the form of obstructive or, more rarely, central sleep apnea and requires diagnosis from a licensed medical professional.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
For some people, problems with sleeping can stem from restless leg syndrome. Upon laying down, those affected often feel a powerful urge to move their legs. This feeling can be persistent and uncomfortable, making it difficult to relax enough to fall and stay asleep.
Pregnancy Sleep Problems
Different problems with sleep can manifest during different stages of pregnancy. In your first trimester, you’re besieged by shifts in hormones such as progesterone. As your abdomen expands to accommodate your baby, it may become challenging to find a comfortable position for sustained sleep. Beyond physical challenges, sometimes pregnant women find their minds so occupied with what lies ahead that resting their minds becomes its own obstacle.
Parasomnias
Sleep disorders falling under the heading of parasomnia include sleepwalking, night terrors, nightmares, sleep paralysis, and even sleep-specific eating disorders. Parasomnias are unique in that they can strike before, during, or after sleep. They can lead to talking or acting in a way that makes you appear to be awake even as you’re asleep. Conversely, you may experience times of feeling unable to get up and move—as though still asleep—even when you’re awake.
Problems with sleeping can lead to depression, irritability, and weight gain, and issues at school or work. Conversely, a good night’s sleep can leave you feeling revitalized and ready for whatever the day has in store. Figuring out if you’re affected by a common sleep disorder is the first step to experiencing more satisfying rest.
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If you are looking for treatment for sleep disorders, contact me today to schedule an appointment!