Your Sleep Problems Could Be Dyssomnia
Dyssomnia is the name given to a group of sleep disorders which cause you an inability to sleep or complications with your sleeping.
They’re categorized by hypersomnolence (daytime sleepiness or prolonged night sleep) or insomnia (an inability to sleep).
There are a few different categories of dyssomnia that can affect sleep patterns. They’re known as:
- intrinsic sleep disorders
- extrinsic sleep disorders
- circadian rhythm sleep disorders
Intrinsic sleep disorders are conditions or disorders that are associated with internal sleep mechanisms or related to other sleep-related medical disorders.
Psychophysiological insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have difficulty falling and staying asleep.
Psychophysiological insomnia occurs when you’ve learned associations that prevent you from falling asleep. This means that you may worry and make yourself anxious about not being able to fall asleep. This may make you stress about sleep and worsen the cycle of sleeplessness.
Insomnia is commonly treated by a combination of medication and therapy.
Narcolepsy
If you’re unable to control when you fall asleep, you may have narcolepsy. This disorder affects your ability to control your sleep-wake cycles.
This means that you may or may not sleep well during the night, but that you frequently feel sleepy during the day and may unwillingly fall asleep at inopportune times.
There’s no cure yet for narcolepsy but it’s usually treated and managed with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Obstructive sleep apnea
This is a common disorder which is often a result of the upper airway collapsing during sleep. This causes frequent pauses in breathing which leads to snoring and interrupted sleep habits.
Treatment includes lifestyle changes such as avoiding sleeping on your back. Your doctor may also subscribe a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to use while you’re sleeping.
Other disorders
There are numerous other disorders that fit within the intrinsic sleep disorder category including:
- hypersomnia
- central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome
- restless leg syndrome
- periodic limb movement disorder
Extrinsic sleep disorders are caused by issues or conditions outside of your body such as your environment, allergies, or habits.
Altitude and food allergy insomnia
Insomnia doesn’t have to be psychological. It can also be caused by changes in your body due to altitude or a food that you ate that interrupts your ability to fall asleep.
If you find that you have altitude or food-related insomnia you may be able to avoid your triggers to stop the insomnia from occurring.
Poor sleep hygiene
Sleep hygiene is the practice of establishing a regular sleep routine including proper nutrition and exercise.
If you don’t practice good sleep hygiene — such as not turning the television off while you sleep or drinking coffee late in the evening — your poor sleep hygiene could contribute to sleep difficulties.
Nocturnal eating syndrome
Nocturnal eating syndrome is characterized by the consumption of more than a quarter of your daily nutrition after dinner.
This means that you have an increased appetite in the hours before you go to bed which results in an inability to sleep due to increased caloric and sugar intake.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders occur when a lifestyle or environmental change affects your natural circadian rhythm.
A mild example of this is when it starts to get darker earlier in the winter. Even though your typical bedtime maybe 8 or 9 p.m., you may begin to feel sleepy at 6 p.m. because it’s dark out.
Some other examples of circadian rhythm sleep disorders include:
- time zone change
- shift work sleep disorder
- irregular waking times
- sleep phase disruption
Dyssomnia is a category of sleeping disorders that affect how you fall asleep and whether you stay asleep.
If you feel as if you can’t fall asleep, feel especially sleepy during the day, or are otherwise affected by your inability to stay asleep, bring it up to your doctor. They’ll help you diagnose whether or not you have a sleep disorder.
If they can’t figure out what’s going on with your sleep, they’ll refer you to specialist who can.
Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Whether they are caused by a health problem or by too much stress, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common in the United States. In fact, more than 75 percent of Americans between ages 20 and 59 report having sleeping difficulties fairly regularly.
Most people occasionally experience sleeping problems due to stress, hectic schedules, and other outside influences. However, when these issues begin to occur on a regular basis and interfere with daily life, they may indicate a sleeping disorder.
Depending on the type of sleep disorder, people may have a difficult time falling asleep and may feel extremely tired throughout the day. The lack of sleep can have a negative impact on energy, mood, concentration, and overall health.
In some cases, sleep disorders can be a symptom of another medical or mental health condition. These sleeping problems may eventually go away once treatment is obtained for the underlying cause. When sleep disorders aren’t caused by another condition, treatment normally involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
It’s important to receive a diagnosis and treatment right away if you suspect you might have a sleep disorder. When left untreated, the negative effects of sleep disorders can lead to further health consequences. They can also affect your performance at work, cause strain in relationships, and impair your ability to perform daily activities.
Symptoms can differ depending on the severity and type of sleeping disorder. They may also vary when sleep disorders are a result of another condition. However, general symptoms of sleep disorders include:
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
- daytime fatigue
- strong urge to take naps during the day
- irritability or anxiety
- lack of concentration
- depression
There are many conditions, diseases, and disorders that can cause sleep disturbances. In many cases, sleep disorders develop as a result of an underlying health problem.
Allergies and Respiratory Problems
Allergies, colds, and upper respiratory infections can make it challenging to breathe at night. The inability to breathe through your nose can also cause sleeping difficulties.
Nocturia
Nocturia, or frequent urination, may disrupt your sleep by causing you to wake up during the night. Hormonal imbalances and diseases of the urinary tract may contribute to the development of this condition. (Be sure to call your doctor right away if frequent urination is accompanied by bleeding or pain.)
Chronic Pain
Constant pain can make it difficult to fall asleep. It might even wake you up after you fall asleep. Some of the most common causes of chronic pain include:
- arthritis
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- fibromyalgia
- inflammatory bowel disease
- persistent headaches
- continuous lower back pain
In some cases, chronic pain may even be exacerbated by sleep disorders. For instance, doctors believe the development of fibromyalgia might be linked to sleeping problems.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety often have a negative impact on sleep quality. It can be difficult for you to fall asleep or to stay asleep. Nightmares, sleep talking, or sleepwalking may also disrupt your sleep.
There are numerous different types of sleep disorders. Some may be caused by other underlying health conditions.
Insomnia
Insomnia refers to the inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep. It can be caused by jet lag, stress and anxiety, hormones, or digestive problems. It may also be a symptom of another condition. Insomnia can be very problematic for your overall health and quality of life, potentially causing:
- depression
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- weight gain
- impaired work or school performance
Unfortunately, insomnia is extremely common in the United States. Approximately 50 percentof American adults experience it at some point in their lives. The disorder is most prevalent among older adults and women.
Insomnia is usually classified as one of three types:
- chronic, which is when insomnia happens on a regular basis for at least one month
- intermittent, which is when insomnia occurs periodically
- transient, which is when insomnia lasts for just a few nights at a time
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. This is a serious medical condition that causes the body to take in less oxygen. It can also cause you to wake up during the night.
Parasomnias
Parasomnias are a class of sleep disorders that cause abnormal movements and behaviors during sleep. They include:
- sleepwalking
- sleep talking
- groaning
- nightmares
- bedwetting
- teeth grinding or jaw clenching
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is an overwhelming need to move the legs. This urge is sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation in the legs. While these symptoms can occur during the day, they are most prevalent at night. RLS is often associated with certain health conditions, including ADHD and Parkinson’s disease, but the exact cause isn’t always known.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is characterized by “sleep attacks” that occur during the day. This means that you will suddenly feel extremely tired and fall asleep without warning. The disorder can also cause sleep paralysis, which may make you physically unable to move right after waking up. Although narcolepsy may occur on its own, it is also associated with certain neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
Your doctor will first perform a physical exam and gather information about your symptoms and medical history. They will also order various tests, including:
- polysomnography: a sleep study that evaluates oxygen levels, body movements, and brain waves to determine how they disrupt sleep
- electroencephalogram: a test that assesses electrical activity in the brain and detects any potential problems associated with this activity
- genetic blood testing: a blood test commonly used to diagnose narcolepsy and other underlying health conditions that might be causing sleeping problems
These tests can be crucial in determining the right course of treatment for sleep disorders.
Treatment for sleep disorders can vary depending on the type and underlying cause. However, it generally includes a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
Medical Treatments
Medical treatment for sleep disturbances might include any of the following:
- sleeping pills
- melatonin supplements
- allergy or cold medication
- medications for any underlying health issues
- breathing device or surgery (usually for sleep apnea)
- a dental guard (usually for teeth grinding)
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle adjustments can greatly improve your quality of sleep, especially when they’re done along with medical treatments. You may want to consider:
- incorporating more vegetables and fish into your diet, and reducing sugar intake
- reducing stress and anxiety by exercising
- creating and sticking to a regular sleeping schedule
- drinking less water before bedtime
- limiting your caffeine intake, especially in the late afternoon or evening
- decreasing tobacco and alcohol use
- eating smaller low carbohydrate meals before bedtime
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can also significantly improve your sleep quality. While you might be tempted to sleep in on the weekends, this can make it more difficult to wake up and fall asleep during the workweek.
The effects of sleep disorders can be so disruptive that you will likely want immediate relief. Unfortunately, long-term cases can take a bit more time to resolve. However, if you stick with your treatment plan and regularly communicate with your doctor, you can eventually find your way to better sleep. You may also want to visit the National Sleep Foundation website for additional resources to share with your doctor.
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