Treating Sleep Disorders

TREATING SLEEP DISORDERS

To Find Mr. Sandman, Sometimes You Need Medical Help.

Are you always feeling tired during the day? Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? Do you snore loudly when you sleep or wake up frequently during the night? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder and need to seek medical advice.

Why Sleep Is So Important

Sleep is not a luxury. It is essential to your health and vitality. Most people need between seven and nine hours of restful sleep each night. There’s more to not getting enough sleep than just feeling drowsy. The lack of restful sleep can lead to a number of medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity and even depression.

Unfortunately, most people aren’t getting enough sleep. A recent study found that 40 percent of Americans need more shut-eye. And, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from long- term sleep loss and sleep disorders.

Finding Mr. Sandman The best way to determine if you have a sleeping disorder is to have a sleep study, also called a polysomnogram. A sleep study is usually performed in a special home-like sleep lab that helps promote a good night’s rest. The study electronically records specific physical activities during your different stages of sleep.

Equipped with this information, a qualified physician can detect any sleep disorders and can recommend an appropriate treatment.

Here are some of the more common sleep disorders:

Insomnia
You may have insomnia if it takes more than 45 minutes to fall asleep or if you wake up frequently during the night and can’t fall back to sleep. Worrying about a stressful situation can cause insomnia for a few nights or weeks. Long-term insomnia, which can last for months or even years, usually requires medical treatment.

Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is present when a person repeatedly stops breathing for 10 to 15 seconds or longer during sleep. It’s usually caused by a blockage in the upper airways, especially in the nose andmouth. If you snore loudly, toss and turn during the night, or wake up with a headache, you may have sleep apnea. Older men who are overweight are more likely to have this condition.

Narcolepsy
With narcolepsy, a person is engaged in normal daily activities and then suddenly falls asleep for a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, the person may remain asleep for more than an hour. Narcolepsy is caused by the brain’s inability to regulate a normal sleep-wake cycle.

Restless Legs Syndrome
When you lie down to sleep, do you ever have a tingling, pulling or painful sensation in your leg? If you do, you many have a sleep disorder called Restless Legs Syndrome.

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