Many Americans are losing sleep due to these 3 most common sleep disorders: sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome. If you’re having trouble getting to sleep at night, read on about the most common sleep disorders, you may find the reason for your inability to catch quality Zs.
Common Sleep Disorder 1: What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder identified by the repeated stopping and starting of breathing. The 3 types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea syndrome.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common of the 3 types. Because the symptoms are so similar, it can be difficult to determine which type you have on your own. People who snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep often have a type of sleep apnea. Other common symptoms of OSA include:
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Irritability
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
OSA can affect anyone, even children, but it is most common in men and elderly people. However, certain factors can increase your risk such as obesity, neck circumference, having a narrowed airway, drinking, smoking, nasal congestion, and family history. Certain facial configurations, such as having a small lower jaw and hormone issues such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) and acromegaly (high growth hormone levels) can also increase your risk for developing OSA.
Common Sleep Disorder 2: What is Insomnia?
While some people believe the sleep disorder insomnia is just having difficulty falling asleep, it also includes having a difficulty staying asleep, or repeatedly waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep. Many people with insomnia still feel tired when they wake up, and this can lead to low energy levels, bad moods, as well as poor health, work performance, and quality of life.
It’s not uncommon for adults to experience short-term (acute) insomnia that can last for weeks at a time. This is often the result of stress or a traumatic event. Insomnia becomes a larger health issue if it becomes long-term (chronic) and lasts for a month or more.
Insomnia Risk Factors
Insomnia becomes more common as people age due to changes in sleep patterns, activity, health, and medications. Insomnia is more common in women and people over the age of 60. Chronic insomnia can also be caused by stress, as well as healthy habits. For example, people who travel or have an unusual work schedule are often working against the internal clock that is guided by daylight. People with poor sleep habits such as irregular bedtimes, uncomfortable sleep environments, and too much blue light before bed also tend to experience chronic insomnia. Too much food or caffeine before bed can make you feel physically uncomfortable and unable to fall asleep. The heavy digestion right before lying down can also lead to heartburn. Medical conditions and the use of certain drugs can also contribute to insomnia.
Common Sleep Disorder 3: What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
If you have an uncontrollable urge to move your legs due to a strange or uncomfortable sensation, you may have Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). This phenomenon often happens in the evening or at night when you’re sitting or lying down and moving or shaking tends to temporarily relieve the sensations. RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, can disrupt sleep as well as daily activities.
Restless Leg Syndrome is actually a neurological disorder that causes people to experience a variety of sensations often described as a crawling, creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, itching, and electric pulses in both legs. Rather than feeling these on the skin, people describe them as happening “deeper” within the limbs. Sometimes the symptoms can fluctuate in severity and even stop for a period of time before starting again.
Restless Leg Syndrome Risk Factors
While the causes for RLS are largely unknown, it’s often a hereditary condition. Women who become pregnant can also develop RLS, but it usually goes away after delivery. RLS is more common with increasing age and more common in women. RLS tends to piggyback on other health conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, iron deficiency, kidney failure, and spinal cord conditions. About 85% of people with RLS can have Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD).
While these sleep disorders are common, there are medical professionals that specialize in sleep medicine that can provide real help. If you are bothered by not getting a good night’s sleep, call Gingras Sleep Medicine at (704)944-0562 or visit our website at http://gingrassleepmedicine.com/ to request an appointment online for a sleep consultation.