Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep regularly. Whether caused by a health problem or excessive stress, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common among people.
Most people have trouble sleeping from time to time due to stress, busy schedules, and other external influences. However, when these problems start to occur regularly and interfere with daily life, they may indicate a sleep disorder, writes Healthline.
Depending on the type of sleep disorder, people may have difficulty falling asleep and feel extremely tired during the day.
Lack of sleep can negatively impact energy, mood, concentration, and overall health. In some cases, sleep disorders can be a symptom of another medical or mental condition. These sleep problems may resolve over time when the underlying cause is treated.
When sleep disorders are not caused by another condition, treatment usually involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
It is important to get a diagnosis and start treatment immediately if you suspect you have a sleep disorder. If left untreated, the negative effects of sleep disorders can lead to further health consequences.
They can also affect your work performance, cause strain in relationships, and impair your ability to perform daily activities. There are many different types of sleep disorders. Some may be caused by other underlying health conditions, reports Večernji.hr.
Insomnia
Insomnia refers to the inability to fall asleep. It can be caused by jet lag, stress and anxiety, hormones, or digestive problems.
It can also be a symptom of another condition.
Insomnia can be problematic for your overall health and quality of life because it can potentially cause depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, weight gain, and decreased performance at work or school.
Unfortunately, insomnia is very common, and the disorder is most common in older people and women. Insomnia is usually classified into one of three types: chronic, when insomnia occurs regularly for at least a month, intermittent, when insomnia occurs periodically, and transient, when insomnia lasts only a few nights.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. This is a serious medical condition that causes the body to take in less oxygen, and a person may wake up during the night.
There are two types: obstructive sleep apnea, where airflow stops because the airways are blocked or too narrow, and central sleep apnea, where there is a problem with the connection between the brain and the muscles that control your breathing.
Parasomnias
Parasomnias are a class of sleep disorders that cause abnormal movements and behaviors during sleep. They include sleepwalking, sleep talking, moaning, nightmares, bedwetting, teeth grinding, or jaw clenching.
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an overwhelming urge to move the legs. This urge is sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation in the legs, reports Večernji.hr.
Although these symptoms can occur during the day, they are most common at night. RLS is often associated with certain medical conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson's disease, but the exact cause is not always known.
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