What Are Sleeping Disorders? 

We all strive to enjoy a good night’s sleep, but for many, sleeping becomes a hassle. This constant struggle could be a concerning issue, which many define as a sleeping disorder. 

Sleeping disorders are medical conditions that can hinder your quality bedtime, leaving you tired, stressed, and fatigued. It can happen for several reasons, including diseases, medications, and genetics. 

Ignoring this condition for a long time can affect your physical and mental health. Let’s dive into this article to understand this condition in detail, its types, and treatment to reclaim our sleep. 

What is Sleep Disorder

Sleep disorder is a disturbance in normal sleeping patterns that can affect one’s ability to focus properly. If the factor causing the disorder is resolved, this disturbance can become stable after a while. 

However, there are times when sleeping disorders can become irritating, which can affect your overall health and quality of life. Getting quality sleep is important as our brain and body stay active during the sleep cycle for our health and functioning. 

Sleeping disorders can affect how you work, think, react, talk, and communicate with others. Sleep is crucial for children’s mental and physical development, allowing them to grow, learn and store information. Not getting enough sleep can completely drain your energy, making you lethargic. 

Given that sleeping disorders are conditions to be concerned about, the question arises – Are sleep disorders common? Well, the answer is yes. Approximately 50–70 million adults are affected by sleep-related issues. Eye straining is among the common issues that millions face. It happens when your sleep quality is compromised, leading to dry and strained eyes. 

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

There are several symptoms of sleeping disorders, which can vary from individual to individual. Some of these symptoms are given below:

• Difficulty falling/staying asleep
• Fatigue in the daytime
• Unusual breathing patterns
• Anxiety
• Lack of concentration
• Depression
• Weight gain

Consult a healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, as they may also be associated with other underlying conditions. 

Causes of Sleep Disorders

There are several factors that can cause this condition. They can affect your body’s sleeping and waking cycle, making you feel tired. Specific conditions that can make this happen are given below:

Physical Conditions

Conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and headaches can cause discomfort, making it difficult to fall or stay asleep. These physical conditions often result in restless nights and fatigue during the daytime.

Medical Conditions

Sleep disorders can also stem from several medical issues, including sleep apnea, which involves repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, and obesity. Additionally, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can also contribute to sleep disturbances.

Environmental Issues

Factors in your environment can play a crucial role in your sleep quality. Prolonged working hours, people snoring around you, excessive noise or light, or jet lag can disrupt your ability to have a restful sleep. 

Genetics

Genetics is also a necessary factor that can cause this condition. Conditions like Fatal familial insomnia, a rare genetic disorder, are one such example that can influence sleep patterns and overall health. Leaving it unattended can become life-threatening; hence, hence, proper medical intervention is required in such cases. 

Hormonal Causes

In women, hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can also affect your sleep cycle. In a study on sleep disorders in association with women, it has been found that the prevalence of sleep disorders increases with age in women, ranging from 16% to 42% in premenopausal women and from 35% to 60% in postmenopausal women. 

Different Types of Sleep Disorders

There are 7 types of sleeping disorders that can affect individuals. According to statistics, the condition in the U.S. has increased from approximately 7.62% in 2011 to 14.41% in 2020. 

Following is the list of different types of this condition: 

1. Insomnia

Insomnia is a type of sleeping disorder in which you cannot fall asleep or stay asleep, which can affect your daily functioning. Insomnia can happen due to stress, schedule or environment changes, poor sleep habits, or substances like caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol. 

2. Sleep Apnea

It is defined as interrupted breathing patterns while you’re sleeping. It can cause you to wake up at night, making you wake up with a dry mouth, irritated, and less productive. 

3. Parasomnias

It is a sleeping disorder in which abnormal movements and behaviors are observed during sleep. It includes sleepwalking, nightmares, or sleep talking. 

4. Narcolepsy

It affects your ability to wake up or fall asleep at your own will. It is often characterized by sleep attacks, which can happen anytime. It can cause Sleep Paralysis and Cataplexy (temporary loss of muscle control triggered by sudden emotions like anger). 

5. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

It is an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, which can occur during the day. However, it is more prevalent at night, significantly affecting your bedtime. 

6. Circadian Rhythm Disorders

It is a condition that affects your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, impacting sleep quality when you sleep and how you function while awake. It can happen due to non-traditional working hours and jet lag among other factors. 

7. Sleep Bruxism

It is a sleeping disorder condition where you grind or clench your teeth. This can affect your dental health, as jaw pain is the most common problem one suffers if they are troubled with this issue. 

Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders

Since sleeping disorders are common in the general adult population, there are diagnosis methods by which you can quickly seek an evaluation. Diagnosing this condition involves an extensive approach, including the patient’s medical history, clinical testing, a physical exam, and specialized tests. 

Not just that, a doctor can also ask you to maintain a sleep diary that records your sleeping habits. It includes information about your wakeup time, bedtime, napping time and its duration, eating lifestyle, and exercise routine. 

There are possible tests that you can be asked to do to evaluate your condition thoroughly. It includes Polysomnography (sleep study), Actigraphy, Multiple Sleep Latency Tests, and Electroencephalogram (EEG). 

The sleep studies usually monitor and record information during your sleep, which usually includes:

• Brain wave changes
• Breathing rate
• Blood pressure
• Eye movement
• Electrical activity of your heart and other muscles

Sleeping Disorders Treatment

The treatment of sleeping disorder depends on your condition and how much it affects your quality of life. There are times when sleeping disorders can be an underlying cause of other medical conditions. Hence, the treatment varies depending on your condition and its effects. 

Natural Treatments

There are natural ways in which you can improve your sleep cycle. These include:

• Healthy sleeping habits include avoiding watching electronic devices before going to sleep 
• Exercising regularly 
• Incorporating a nutritious diet like magnesium, melatonin, warm milk or fresh herbs
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol , and nicotine before your bedtime
• Limit taking water before bedtime enhances the quality of sleep

Medical Treatments

Medical treatments, too, can significantly help you enjoy your sleeping time. Some of the following are given below:

• Sleeping pills
• Melatonin supplements
• A dental guard (usually for teeth grinding)
• Cold or Allergy medication
• Underlying health issues medication
• Surgery (usually for sleep apnea)

Conclusion

Sleeping disorders are complex conditions that can significantly impact your overall quality of life. Several causes, such as arthritis, sleep apnea, or lifestyle changes, can disturb your sleep cycle and require a personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Recognizing these symptoms early can help understand the possible underlying causes to manage and prevent them, leading to healthier sleep habits. 

Whether through lifestyle changes, natural remedies, or medical interventions, regaining quality sleep is necessary for optimal functioning and long-term health. 

If sleep disturbances persist or worsen, seeking professional help is advised to ensure effective treatment and improved sleep health.

Frequently Asked Questions

• my.clevelandclinic.org
• medlineplus.gov