Could You Possibly Have a Sleep Disorder?

If You Have a Sleep Disorder, how to Tell

There are many people that have an undiagnosed sleep disorder. They may have trouble falling to sleep or staying asleep. These are all symptoms of sleep deprivation, and possibly of a sleep disorder.

A person that has an undiagnosed sleep disorder will usually answer the question, "What is the problem with your sleep," with one of five answers. Those answers will be; "I have trouble falling asleep,"" I have trouble staying awake," "I can't get up in the morning," "I seem to do strange things in my sleep" or "I can't sleep because of my partner." The particular answer chosen helps to narrow down the possibility of a specific type of sleep disorder.

When someone says "I can't fall asleep" it can mean several things. There could be a problem when first going to bed, after waking up in the middle of the night, or in the early morning hours.
Sleep latency can be a very serious symptom of certain sleep disorders, including sleep onset insomnia, delayed sleep phase disorder, shift work, restless leg syndrome or paradoxical insomnia. Sleep disorders may include sleep maintenance insomnia, shift work. If a person wakes up very early in the morning and can not get back to sleep, it could be a sign of advanced sleep phase disorder or sleep maintenance insomnia.

If the answer to the question is "I can't stay awake" and the person is falling asleep at inappropriate times there may be a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy, central or obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, restless leg syndrome, shift work or advanced sleep phase disorder.

Those that say "I can't get up in the morning" and take an hour or more to fully wake from their sleep may suffer from excessive sleep inertia. They are having difficulty making the transition from sleep to being awake. Sleep disorders that could be responsible for excessive sleep inertia are sleep apnea and delayed sleep phase disorder.

A person that answers the question with "I do strange things in my sleep" may find that their sleep is full of surprises. Sleepwalking, Sleep terrors, REM sleep behavior disorder, nightmares, sleep-related eating disorder and bruxism are all types of sleep disorders known as parasomnias.

If a person answers "I can't sleep because of my partner" snoring, sleep apnea, bruxism, restless leg syndrome, or periodic limb movement disorder may be the sleep disorder to blame.

How would you answer the question of "What is the problem with your sleep?".

A person that has an undiagnosed sleep disorder will usually answer the question, "What is the problem with your sleep," with one of five answers. Sleep latency can be a very serious symptom of certain sleep disorders, including sleep onset insomnia, delayed sleep phase disorder, shift work, restless leg syndrome or paradoxical insomnia. Sleep disorders may include sleep maintenance insomnia, shift work. If a person wakes up very early in the morning and can not get back to sleep, it could be a sign of advanced sleep phase disorder or sleep maintenance insomnia.

Sleep disorders that could be responsible for excessive sleep inertia are sleep apnea and delayed sleep phase disorder. Find out more here: http://www.adiosinsomnia.com

Insomnia: Perils of Staying Awake All Night Long

People sleep in order to function in a normal and healthy way. Millions of people in the United States are suffering from chronic long-term sleep disorders each year.

There are more than 70 different sleep disorders that are generally classified into one of three categories:

· lack of sleep-- insomnia
· disturbed sleep-- obstructive sleep
· excessive sleep-- narcolepsy

Sleep disorders, when properly diagnosed, can be easily managed. The most common sleep disorder is insomnia which occurs more often in women and in the elderly. People with sleep disorders can take over-the-counter sleep aid drugs, which are most effective for an occasional sleepless night.

Age is a significant factor in determining the amount of sleep that a person needs to function normally. Infants, for instance, sleep most of the day for about 16 hours while teenagers usually need about 9 hours a day. Adults need an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day. However, the elderly usually have shorter periods of sleep and spend less time in deep stages of sleep. About 50 % of adults over the age of 65 have some type of sleep disorder, although it is not clear whether this is a normal part of aging or a result of medications that older people commonly use.

Examples of these are caffeine which can cause insomnia, and antidepressants which can cause a loss of REM or Rapid Eye Movement in sleep. Both REM and deep sleep are essential parts of the normal sleep cycle.

Avoid mixing alcohol and sleep aid drugs. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of the pills even in small amount, causing dizziness, fainting, or confusion. Alcohol in itself can already cause insomnia.

There are five stages of sleep cycle that repeats over and over during a single night's rest: stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and REM (rapid eye movement). Stages 1 through 4 are also known as non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). About 50 % of sleep time is spent in stage 2 and about 20 % is spent in REM which is normally more than 2 hours a night in adults. A complete sleep cycle, from the beginning of stage 1 to the end of REM, usually takes about a half and an hour.

This is called light sleep. Deep sleep comes in stages 3 and 4, during which all eye and muscle movement ceases. During deep sleep, it can be hard to wake a person.

Sleep-walking and bed-wetting among children are experienced during deep sleep. On the other hand, dreams occur during REM sleep when the muscles of the body stiffen, the eyes move, the heart rate increases, breathing becomes more irregular and rapid, and the blood pressure rises.

Sleep inadequacy can have severe detrimental effects on health. Studies have shown that sleep is essential for normal immune system function and for healthy cell growth. Sleep also is essential for normal nervous system function and the ability to function both physically and mentally. In addition, sleep is also necessary to promote a relax attitude. A person who always gets enough and complete sleep is generally more focused and ready to learn.

When you are having a hard time getting a good night's sleep, prescription or over-the-counter sleep aid drugs may be an option. Be sure to use them safely and with advice from your physician. If your doctor suspects a sleep problem, he or she will look at your overall health and sleep habits.

People with sleep disorders can take over-the-counter sleep aid drugs, which are most effective for an occasional sleepless night.

The elderly usually have shorter periods of sleep and spend less time in deep stages of sleep. Both REM and deep sleep are essential parts of the normal sleep cycle.

When you are having a hard time getting a good night's sleep, prescription or over-the-counter sleep aid drugs may be an option. If your doctor suspects a sleep problem, he or she will look at your overall health and sleep habits.

To find out more go to: http://www.adiosinsomnia.com

Insomnia - What You Need to Know

Insomnia Tips

Insomnia treatment begins with what is known as "sleep hygiene." This includes regular sleep and wake times. You should avoid eating, drinking, or exercising before bedtime. The room should be cool, comfortable, and dark.

Insomnia is a very common complaint among older adults. The condition affects more than 70 million Americans. Some symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, difficulty with early morning awakening, or not feeling rested by a "good night's sleep." Occasionally, insomnia lasts for a short time and can be easily managed. Other times it is a chronic condition, lasting more than six months. This chronic insomnia is more troublesome and can affect work, social relationships, and health. Many people with insomnia are also diagnosed with other conditions such as depression, anxiety, allergies, or pain.


Philosophy of Sleep Hygiene
1. keep a regular sleep schedule

2. exercise regularly but avoid exercise before bed

3. go to bed when sleepy

4. do relaxing and enjoyable activities before bed

5. keep the bedroom comfortable and quiet

6. do not eat a large evening meal

7. Get up and return to bed when you are sleepy if you are not sleeping within 20 minutes

8. if you must take a nap, limit it to 30 minutes

9. avoid nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine

10. have your pharmacist check your medications for stimulating drugs

If "sleep hygiene" is not effective, then the use of prescription medication may be warranted.

If the "sleep hygiene" methods are not working, then it may me necessary to begin using medication.

The cheapest treatment is, of course, "sleep hygiene." If you try this approach and are unsuccessful, I would recommend over-the-counter diphenhydramine, while still practicing "sleep hygiene." There are many different types available. The next step would be to visit your doctor for a prescription. As is my usual recommendation, begin with the lowest priced medication.

There are many other products that might be used for insomnia. Melatonin has been shown to be helpful in treating insomnia due to melatonin deficiency in elderly patients. It may also improve sleep quality but probably will not increase the length of sleep time. Kava kava and valerian root are also commonly used for the treatment of insomnia. Kava kava has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic insomnia. It is also known to be potentially dangerous to the liver. Valerian root may be helpful in helping one get to sleep as well as improving the quality of sleep.

For insomnia treatment, I would recommend trazodone. Trazodone represents approximately 40 % of all insomnia prescriptions. It is also very popular and cheap.

The cause of your insomnia will need to be determined and you may need medication to help you sleep. Even if medication is used for insomnia, "sleep hygiene" principles should still be followed and can provide added benefit.

The best medication should act quickly and for a short period of time. This eliminates the "hangover effect" some people experience.

It may also improve sleep quality but probably will not increase the length of sleep time. Valerian root may be helpful in helping one get to sleep as well as improving the quality of sleep.

You should talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are still having difficulty getting a good night's sleep. The cause of your insomnia will need to be determined and you may need medication to help you sleep. Even if medication is used for insomnia, "sleep hygiene" principles should still be followed and can provide added benefit.

After that, the practice known as "sleep hygiene" should be practiced. If "sleep hygiene" is not effective, then the use of prescription medication may be warranted.

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