What are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are medical conditions that make it hard to get a good night's rest or stay awake during the day. There are more than 80 different types of sleep disorders. They usually affect:

• The quality of your sleep: How deeply and well you sleep.
• The timing of your sleep: When you fall asleep and whether you can stay asleep.
• The amount of sleep: How many hours of sleep you actually get.

Everyone has trouble sleeping once in a while. But you might have a real sleep disorder if:

• You struggle to sleep regularly.
• You feel exhausted during the day, even if you slept for seven hours or more the night before.
• Your lack of sleep makes it hard to do your normal daily activities.

What are the most common types of sleep disorders?

Out of the 80-plus types, a few are much more common than the rest:

• Chronic insomnia: Having trouble sleeping on most nights for at least three months, leaving you tired and grumpy.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: A condition where you snore loudly and repeatedly stop breathing for a few seconds during the night.
• Restless legs syndrome: An uncomfortable feeling in your legs that gives you an irresistible urge to move them when you try to rest.
• Narcolepsy: A brain condition where you cannot control when you fall asleep or stay awake. You might suddenly fall asleep during the day.
• Shift work sleep disorder: Sleeping problems caused by working non-traditional hours, like overnight shifts.
• Delayed sleep phase syndrome: A biological clock issue where you cannot fall asleep until very late (often two or more hours past a normal bedtime) and struggle to wake up on time.
• REM sleep behavior disorder: A condition where you physically act out vivid or scary dreams while you are asleep.

How common are sleep disorders?

Sleep issues are incredibly common. Tens of millions of people live with diagnosed sleep disorders, and even more report that they regularly do not get enough sleep to feel rested.

What are the symptoms of a sleep disorder?

Symptoms can vary, but common nighttime signs include:

• Taking longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep on a regular basis.
• Waking up multiple times in the middle of the night and struggling to go back to sleep.
• Snoring, gasping, or choking while you sleep.
• Feeling a creepy-crawly sensation in your legs that only goes away when you move them.
• Feeling like you cannot move your body right as you wake up.

You might also notice these daytime symptoms caused by a lack of sleep:

• Feeling very drowsy, taking frequent naps, or nodding off during routine tasks.
• Trouble focusing, paying attention, or remembering things.
• Mood changes, like feeling easily annoyed, anxious, or sad.
• Struggling to do your job well or keep up at school.
• Being clumsy or getting into frequent accidents and falls.

If your sleep issues are making it hard to live your life, you should talk to a doctor.

What causes sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders happen when something disrupts your body’s natural internal clock and sleep cycle. Common causes include:

• Medical conditions like heart disease, asthma, chronic pain, or nerve issues.
• Mental health struggles like depression or anxiety.
• Genes are passed down through your family.
• Side effects from certain medicines.
• Working irregular shifts or night jobs.
• Drinking alcohol or caffeine too close to bedtime.
• Imbalances in the chemicals inside your brain.
• Sometimes, the exact cause is unknown.

Who is at risk for sleep disorders?

You might be more likely to develop a sleep disorder if you:

• Have a long-term medical or mental health condition.
• Deal with high levels of stress.
• Work late-night or rotating shifts.
• Have family members who struggle with sleep.

Studies show that women tend to experience sleep disorders more often than men. Age is also a factor. Around half of all adults over the age of 65 experience some type of sleep issue.

How do doctors diagnose sleep disorders?

A doctor will start by giving you a physical exam and asking detailed questions about your habits. They might use blood tests or imaging tests to rule out other medical issues.

They may also ask you to keep a sleep diary for a week or two. This is a simple paper notebook or phone app where you write down:

• What time did you go to bed, and what time do you think you fell asleep?
• How many times have you woken up during the night?
• What time did you wake up in the morning?
• Any daytime naps you took and how tired you felt.

It helps to keep a pen and paper right by your bed so you can easily jot down your estimates. You can also wear a smartwatch or a special tracker to help record your rest and activity patterns.

If your doctor thinks you need more testing, they will refer you to a sleep specialist for a sleep study. This is a test in which you spend the night at a special clinic, where machines gently monitor your brain waves, breathing, heart rate, and body movements as you sleep.

What is the treatment option for sleep disorders?

There are many ways to treat sleep issues depending on your specific diagnosis. Common treatments include:

• Improving your habits: Setting a strict sleep schedule and fixing your bedtime routine.
• Therapy: Using cognitive behavioral therapy to train your brain to rest better.
• Medicines and supplements: Taking prescription sleep aids or over-the-counter options like melatonin.
• Adjusting current medications: Changing the timing or dose of medicines that might be keeping you awake or making you too drowsy.
• Medical devices: Using a CPAP machine (a mask that blows gentle air into your throat) or a small implanted device to keep your airway open if you have sleep apnea.
• Light therapy: Using special bright lightboxes to reset your internal body clock.

Your doctor will help you choose the best treatment and discuss any potential side effects.

What medicines are used for sleep disorders?

Doctors use different medicines based on the problem:

• For insomnia: melatonin, zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone, ramelteon, suvorexant, lemborexant, or doxepin.
• For restless legs syndrome: Medicines like gabapentin, gabapentin enacarbil, or pregabalin.
• For narcolepsy: Wake-promoting medicines or stimulants like modafinil, armodafinil, pitolisant, or sodium oxybate.

Note: Never start, stop, or change the dose of a sleep medicine without talking to your doctor first.

What should I expect if I have a sleep disorder?

Left untreated, a sleep disorder can take a toll on your happiness and safety. You might feel too tired to enjoy hobbies, spend time with family, or do your best at work. Being severely overtired also increases your risk of car crashes or accidents at home.

The good news is that most sleep disorders can be managed successfully. With the right help from a doctor, you can regain your energy.

How long do sleep disorders last?

There is no single timeline. Some people feel much better within a few weeks or months of starting treatment. Others have chronic conditions that they will need to manage for the rest of their lives. Your doctor can give you a better idea of what to expect for your specific situation.

Can sleep disorders be prevented?

You cannot prevent every type of sleep disorder, but you can significantly lower your risk by practicing the good sleep hygiene habits listed above.

What should I avoid before bed?

To protect your sleep, avoid doing these things for three to four hours before bedtime:

• Drinking caffeine (found in coffee, tea, and many sodas).
• Using tobacco or drinking alcohol (alcohol might make you sleepy at first, but it ruins your quality of sleep later in the night).
• Eating chocolate or taking naps after 3 p.m.
• Eating large, heavy meals.

When should I see a doctor?

You should schedule a visit with a doctor if you have ongoing trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or staying awake during the day. Do not ignore constant daytime fatigue or complaints from a partner that you snore or gasp for air at night.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Sleep Disorders Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Sleep Disorders treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced neurologists, sleep medicine specialists, and neurophysiologists who provide accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment options, including sleep studies (polysomnography), lifestyle modification, behavioral therapy, medication management, CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, and advanced neurological evaluation procedures. Our Neurology and Sleep Medicine team has decades of experience in successfully treating Sleep Disorders in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Sleep Disorders Treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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