What are the Types of Sleep Disorders?
The human sleeping pattern tends to be affected by different types of sleep disorders. We all need to get some sleep at some point. Considering the number of hours an average human tends to keep their eyes open in a day, the benefits of getting some rest cannot be underestimated. Results from research have established that getting sufficient sleep is important in promoting good physical, emotional and mental health in human beings. This is the main reason as to why one wakes up feeling energetic and reinvigorated after a night of good sleep.
Lack of sleep is known to have several disadvantages. It may result in one becoming sloppy, losing concentration and becoming absent minded. Apart from that, lack of sleep causes one to appear drained and tired at all times.
People are known to suffer from different types of sleep disorders
One of the most common disorders is insomnia. This is described as the inability of ones body to drift into a state of sleep, or the inability to stay in that state for a period considered long enough for the body to feel rested. Humans are required to get sleep in the region of between six to eight hours in a day. Some people find themselves only being able to get some sleep three to four nights in a week for a period of a month or more. The causes of insomnia are many ranging from stress, physical and emotional discomfort, some medications and in some cases illnesses.
Sleep apnea is also one of the types of sleep disorders that tend to affect humans. People who experience this condition stop breathing temporarily when they are sleeping. This interruption in the breathing pattern causes the person to have sudden jerks which may cause them to fall in and out of sleep and this consequently affects the normal sleeping pattern. Sleep apnea can be become a life threatening condition when it occurs as a result of the brain not sending the signal to the respiratory muscles commanding them to breathe.
Bruxism is also considered to be one of the types of sleeping disorders. This condition causes one to unconsciously clench their teeth while they sleep and at times even grind them against each other as if chewing. The situation can be worsened when the person has an irregular dental formula. Aside from causing distress to the person trying to sleep, it also causes the gum to become sore damaging it in the long run when the nerves in the jaw become affected.
Do you know that sleep walking is not normal and it is in fact a sleeping disorder as well? Sleep walking is also known as somnambulism. A person suffering from this sleep disorder will do activities like walking, eating or dressing up while they are in a state of sleep. Since this is not normal behaviour, sleep walking is hence classified as one of the types of sleep disorders.
The whole essence of sleeping is essentially to make the body go into a state of rest. There can be no rest when a part or parts of the body have an irresistable urge to move. This is the case in a condition known as the restless leg syndrome also known as RLS. A person feels a strong need to move the legs while they are sleeping. If this happens over and over it may disrupt the sleeping patterns and become an impediment to getting a good night’s rest. This qualifies RLS as one of the types of sleep disorders.
Another type of sleep disorder is narcolepsy. Sufferers of this condition tend to fall asleep involuntarily and this can happen anywhere. It can be potentially life threatening especially if it happens to someone who operates heavy machinery.
Snoring can also be classified as a sleeping disorder. Bur what causes snoring? When the air passages become obstructed when one is asleep, the difficulty manifests itself in the form of loud breathing sounds that are called snores. Heavy snoring can become a problem when it causes one to fall in and out of sleep.
There are many types of sleep disorders and it is prudent to visit a specialist if your problem has become a persistent one.
