Information About Common Sleep Disorders

There are many types of sleep disorders that you can suffer from. Sleep is quite possibly the most important part of a persons daily activities. If you or someone you love is plagued by a sleep disorder it is important to understand how vital treatment can be. It is a well known fact that the body requires sleep to function properly. A lack of sleep on a regular basis can affect your weight, mood, sex drive and brain function.

Central Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that is caused when the brain communication is delayed to breathing, some medical experts believe Sleep Apnea is also caused by a lack of effort to breath while sleeping.

The more common of the sleep apnea conditions is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. This is a result of the upper airway becoming obstructed by the tonsils or tongue or possibly massive amounts of tissue in general. Many factors are common with the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome such as excessive body weight, frequent heart burn and overindulgence with alcohol late at night. Sleep Apnea in any form is a very serious medical condition. Sleep Apnea can lead to sexual dysfunction, heart attacks and strokes, not to mention death. A person with sleep apnea knows sleeping can be a dangerous activity!

A special sleep test called a polysomnography is administered to properly diagnose the disorder.

Another common sleep disorder is Insomnia. By definition insomnia is simply a lack of or poor quality of sleep on a regular basis. A lack of a good nights sleep more often than not can lead to serious emotional side effects such as sexual dysfunction and problems with focus and concentration. If you are suffering from insomnia it is a good idea to begin keeping a sleep journal. Every morning write a detailed entry about your sleep. Things to include in the journal are: How long did it take you to fall asleep? Did you wake up during the night? What time did you go to bed? How do you feel, rested or tired? What were the conditions of the room, hot, cold, noisy, draft? This journal will offer your doctor insight into your sleeping patterns.

You can take an over the counter sleep aid as a temporary solution or try relaxation techniques before bed. If the insomnia persists talk to your doctor about sleep restriction techniques as this is a very successful form of sleep disorder therapy.