Getting good quality sleep is essential to staying healthy in your mind and body. Good sleep is necessary for optimal health and can affect hormone levels, mood and weight.

However there many sleep related issues that could affect the quality and amount of sleep you get.

Sleep disorders are on the rise, unfortunately many people suffer from one form of these disorders and have ignored them and thus they remain undiagnosed. As many as 25 to 30 percent of infants and children also experience some form of sleep disturbance. A lack of sleep or a reduction of sleep quality has a detrimental effect on your quality of life and virtually all of your organ system.

If you’re having issues getting quality sleep, this complete guide to sleep disorders is your go-to reference to learn about what could be causing your sleep troubles and how you can manage it. When you commit to building habits, you take the first step to become your healthiest self - one full night of good sleep at a time.

Sleep problems, including snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless legs syndrome, are common.

SLEEP DISORDERS

Sleep Apnea

It is okay for an adult to snore mildly after a long day at work or after having a bit too much to drink . Incessant snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea which is as a result of interruptions in breathing during sleep. There are different types of sleep apnea but the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which is common in both kids and adults.

Symptoms

Frequent, loud snoring
Depressive and irritable moods
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or drowsiness
Decreased libido
Feelings of tiredness and fatigue even after eight or more hours of sleep
Morning headaches
Abruptly waking up and choking or gasping for air 

Causes

Large tongue or tonsils
Excess weight or obesity
Nasal conditions
Genetics

Treatment

CPAP mask or machine
Oral devices (night guard or fitted mouth pieces)
Weight loss
Lifestyle changes
Surgery

Insomnia

This is generally characterized by the difficulty to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. It can be acute, short-lived or chronic.

Symptoms

Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up in the middle of the night
Depressive mood
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Irritability and difficulty focusing and remembering
Low energy and feelings of fatigue

Causes

Hyperthyroidism
Working irregular hours
Excessive caffeine intake
Drinking and/or smoking
Chronic pain
Mental and emotional stress
Depression and other mental health conditions
Respiratory conditions
Trauma

Treatment

Lifestyle changes
Meditation, yoga
Medication
Sleep restriction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Sleep paralysis

This is a common sleep disorder. This occurs when your body is in “sleep mode” but your mind is still awake. This episode can last a couple of seconds, once or twice in a lifetime but it can be persistent for people who suffer underlying mental issues.

Symptoms

A feeling of something pressing down on your chest
Not being able to move or speak as you are about to fall asleep or waken
Feelings of fear or panic
Imagined sounds or voices
Hyperventilation and/or hallucinations

Causes

Irregular sleep pattern or schedule
Nicotine withdrawal
Sleep deprivation
Severe stress or trauma

Treatment

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Medication
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Psychotherapy

Sleep walking

Sleepwalking or somnambulism is a sleep disorder characterized by walking, talking, or doing typical daily activities while in deep sleep. It’s very common among children.

Symptoms

Eyes open but in a sleep state and doing normal human activities
Waking up confused and disoriented
Inappropriate behavior, like peeing in odd places
Talking while sleeping

Causes

Anxiety and physical and emotional stress
Sleep deprivation
Migraine headaches
Sleeping in unfamiliar places
Alcohol or substance abuse.

Treatment

Psychological and behavioral intervention
Relaxation and stress reduction techniques
Prescription medication.

Adult Bedwetting

 This can be especially embarrassing for adults, in most cases adults wetting the bed is a sign of an underlying condition or medical troubles.

Symptoms

Night Sweats
Pain while peeing during the day
Unusual or increased feelings of thirst
Urine discoloration (pink or red) and hard stools

Causes

Family history
Hormonal imbalance
Stress and/or anxiety
Bladder related conditions
Urinary Tract Infection
Excessive fluid intake at night or near bedtime

Treatment

Medication
Lifestyle and behavioral changes
Surgery

Night Terrors

Sometimes nightmares can be so intense that we often act out even when we sleep, screaming, flailing their arms and kicking but when this happens regularly, you might be having a sleep disorder.

Symptoms

Sleepwalking
Possible aggressive behavior when forcibly woken up
Increased heart rate, dilated pupils
Cold sweats and tremor

Causes

Family history
Sleep deprivation
Alcohol use
Fever
Being in an unfamiliar place
Excess caffeine intake
Stress
Mental related issues

Sleep Talking

This is more common than it seems in both adults and kids; it involves a person talking while they are sound asleep, and however it becomes problematic if it occurs too often.

Symptoms

Shouting, swearing
Mumbling
Carrying out entire conversations during sleep
No recollections of things said while asleep

Causes

Depression
Sleep deprivation
Stress
Alcohol consumption
Family history

See also:

https://www.wincofoam.com/why-sleep-really-matters-for-your-health/

https://www.wincofoam.com/how-to-fight-insomnia-in-one-day/

https://www.wincofoam.com/how-your-child-suffers-from-lack-of-sleep/

https://www.wincofoam.com/sleep-and-tech-these-apps-will-improve-sleep-quality/