A sleep disorder, medically known as “somnipathy”, is referred to the disruption of
normal sleeping habit. Basically, a person cannot take sleep or cannot stay asleep is
known to have been suffering from sleep disorder. Sleeping disorder can be divided
into multiple types based on the conditions and causes of the problem. Some of them
seriously disturb a person’s normal physical, mental and emotional functioning. It is
therefore important to learn about the signs and symptoms of some of the common sleep
disorders.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the most troubling and even life threatening disorders that are
marked by the blockage of airway that occurs either behind the tongue or the nose. Either
the case the patient cannot breathe smoothly; when his brain does not receive enough
oxygen, it wakes him up disrupting his sleep.
This disorder is characterized by troublesome snoring. The cycle of breathing and
disruption repeats even hundred times a night. Such patients are prone to cardiovascular
attack and high blood pressure. Other complications include lack of concentration and
dizziness during day times and sudden sleep while doing vital tasks like driving or
operating heavy machinery.
Losing weight if the patient is overweight, avoiding drugs, alcohol and sedative
medicines, using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP) and opening the
airways through surgical operations are some of the effective treatment methods for sleep
apnea.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is another chronic sleeping disorder characterized by unusual and infrequent
daytime sleep attacks. The patients suffering from narcolepsy suffers from sudden
muscular weakness, slurred speech, and impaired vision. It is mainly caused be genetics
and runs in a family; however, an individual may also contract it as a result of viral
infection during the developmental stage of his life.
As far as treatment of narcolepsy is concerned, the central nervous system stimulants
like methylphenidate, methylphenidate, amphetamine, and modafinil are used to reduce
the daytime sleep and improve night-time sleep. Besides, behavioral modification therapy
is also utilized to treat the disorder.
Somnambulism
Somnambulism is a sleep disorder marked by walking during sleep. Though people of all
age cohorts can suffer from this conundrum but children are more likely to develop this
particular disorder. The patient simply sits up, gets out of the bed with his eyes open and
may continue to remain in this condition from seconds to minutes.
Physiological disorders, psychological problems, and medications often trigger this
kind of sleep disorder. The best treatment is to determine the actual cause and try to
remove them as soon as possible. Sometimes, if it grows severe, the physicians prescribe
sedatives medicines and suggest the families to make sure that the windows are closed
during his sleep timing so that they can avert any prospective danger for the patient.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome refers to intolerable, internal itching sensation that takes place
in the lower extremities urging the sufferer to move his or her legs. When this condition
occurs persistently, it prevents the patient from taking a peaceful night sleep. Iron
deficiency is the major cause of this conundrum.
Periodic limb movement disorder is a certain stage of this disorder when a person suffers
from restless leg movements occurring at regular intervals during the nighttime. As a
result the person is robbed of his restful sleep.
To alleviate this disorder, the recommended treatment includes leg stretching or yoga
exercise prior to bedtime. Furthermore, consuming food rich in iron is very productive to
cure this disorder.
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