Sleep Disorders

What is a Sleep Disorder?

Sleep disorders are conditions that negatively affect the way you sleep. If you suffer from a sleep disorder, you most probably are not able to get enough sleep or may not feel fully rested after waking up. This results in you feeling sleepy in the daytime.

Sleep disorders do not only affect the quality of your sleep, but your safety and quality of life too. Not getting a good night's sleep can adversely affect your ability to drive or work safely as it affects your concentration, memory, thinking and mood. It can also increase your risk of developing other health problems. 

Sleep disorders often coexist with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and can worsen depression or anxiety.

There are several different types of sleep disorders, of which insomnia is the most common. Other sleep-wake disorders include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), parasomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome.

Types of Sleep Disorders 

Insomnia: The most common sleep disorder and involves problems with getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: OSA involves breathing interruptions during sleep. A person with OSA may experience repeated episodes of airway obstruction during sleep causing snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing.

Narcolepsy: People with narcolepsy experience periods with a strong need to sleep or lapsing into sleep multiple times within the same day.

Restless Leg Syndrome: This involves an urge to move one's legs, and if often accompanied by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs. 

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behaviour Disorder: It involves people physically acting out their dreams because the normal temporary paralysis of REM sleep is absent.

What are symptoms of a Sleep Disorder?

Some common symptoms of sleep disorder include:

• Being sleepy during the daytime. You may fall asleep at times that aren't typical, such as when driving or while working at your desk..
• Trouble falling asleep, waking up during the night and not being able to go back to sleep. 
• Atypical breathing pattern, such as snorting, snoring, choking or paushing during breathing.
• Feeling an urge to move that while trying to fall asleep. 
• Moving too much during sleep, such as arm or leg movements or teeth grinding.

What are the risk factors of Sleep Disorder?

These factors may increase your risk of sleep disorders:

• Age: Sleep needs vary depending on age and age may play a part in sleep disorders. Some sleep disorders are more common in children while others may be more common with older age.
• Genetics: Certain sleep disorders such as insomnia, insomnia and OSA may be more likely if you have a family member with the sleep disorder too.
• Medical conditions: Certain brain and nerve conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or traumatic brain injury may raise your risk of sleep disorders. 
• Mental health condition: Conditions such as depression, anxiety or stress may affect your sleep.
• Schedule changes: Jet lag or shift work could disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and affect sleep
• Medicines: Certain medications could affect sleep. Caffeine and alcohol may also affect sleep.

What complications may arise from Sleep Disorders?

If you don't get enough sleep, it may affect you beyond simply feelin tired. Not getting enough sleep can lead to:

• Decline in cognitive function, difficulty learning, remembering or making decisions
• Mood and personality changes, such as becoming more irritable 
• Slower reaction time (Making accidents more likely to happen)

Lack of sleep can also contribute to health problems such as:

• Depression
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Dementia

How do you diagnose Sleep Disorders?

Physical Examination
Your healthcare provider may conduct blood tests or imaging tests to learn more about what's causing your symptoms. They may also ask you to keep a sleep diary to record your sleeping habits.

Sleep Study
A sleep specialist may perform a sleep study (polysomnogram), a sleep disorder test that electronically transmits and records specific body and brain activities while you sleep.