The Most Common Sleeping Problems And How To Effectively Treat Them
If you suffer from sleeping problems, you are not alone. Approximately seventy million people, in America alone, currently battle sleep disorders. A good and regular sleep regime is extremely important to optimal functioning and overall feelings of wellness. Keep reading to learn some new facts about your sleeping problem and how you can attack it and resolve it to get better quality sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by a temporary interruption in breathing during sleep. There are two main types, obstructive and central.
Obstructive sleep apnea is provoked by a relaxing of throat muscles. This leads to a narrowing of the airway when breathing in. Not receiving sufficient oxygen, the brain jolts the body awake. This pattern repeats numerous times throughout the night, inhibiting your experience of the normal stages of sleep.
Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, is less experienced and more concerning. The brain does not instruct the muscles to maintain the breathing action. Once again your body does not receive enough oxygen but this time the brain does not alert you. You may rouse from sleep feeling shortness of breath.
When someone experiences a combination of both types, a complex sleep apnea syndrome is diagnosed.
Treatment
As one of the estimated eighteen million Americans who suffer from this problem, your doctor would have most likely recommended a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or mask, a BiPAP machine, or an anti-snoring mouthpiece.
The CPAP machine is used for obstructive type of sleep apnea. The equipment, which comes with a face mask, continuously supplies pressurized and purified air that counteracts any blockage caused by narrowed airways. There are a variety of options of CPAP machines so WellAwareSystems lays out reviews of the best in the market so you don’t have to go searching. The top-rated BiPAP and CPAP masks are also detailed. Not all anti-snoring masks are made equal. A purchasing guide is also made available for you.
Insomnia
Trouble falling and staying asleep? What about being unable to fall back asleep once awake? Talk to your doctor as you may have insomnia. This can be acute or short-term but can also be considered chronic or long-term if these symptoms occur thrice weekly for a month or longer.
Causes of insomnia can range from stresses at a particular time in your life such as loss of a job or loved one. Environmental factors can also play a part. Moving to an area that is noisy or sleeping in a room that receives too much light can affect the quality and duration of your sleep. Different medical and mental health conditions along with increasing age can further account for this sleep disorder.
Prevention
Try these changes and monitor for improved sleep patterns. Make sure your bedroom is comfortable, free from excessive light and noise. Incorporate more physical activity into your day. Avoid as best you can alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Enlist the help of a relaxing shower before bed. Should these not work, therapy and even medication might be needed.
Restless leg Syndrome
Also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, this is characterized by unpleasant or painful sensations, typically in the legs which bring about an uncontrollable urge to move them. This can happen at any time of the day but is more severe at night and can impede falling asleep, staying in a state of sleep, and reduce the quality of whatever amount of sleep one gets. The sensations usually abate in the early hours of the morning which is when most sufferers get the chance to have uninterrupted sleep.
It has been accepted as a genetic disorder but its cause has additionally been linked to decreased levels of iron in the blood. Persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s or those who have any damage to the basal ganglia region of the brain have increased chances of facing this disorder.
Treatment
Any underlying medical conditions are targeted. Anemia is treated initially through iron supplements. Lifestyle modification in the form of leg-focused exercises decreased tobacco utilization, and the use of ice packs or heating pads can bring relief to those who suffer from mild to moderate RLS.
Anti-seizure drugs are now first-line treatment options. Medications that regulate dopamine levels are used in the RSL cases caused by Parkinson’s Disease. Opioids are cautiously administered for severe cases and benzodiazepines have been accepted as a last resort for more restful sleep.
Just because you suffer from a sleep disorder does not mean all hope is gone. Consult a physician. First, try different lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication or therapy. Better sleep awaits you.
