Sleep Disorders

Today, there are over 80 different types of sleep disorders, and the impact they have on our community often goes unnoticed.

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are disorders affecting the time, quality, or amount of sleep an individual is able to get.

What are common sleep disorders?

Insomnia

Having difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep.

Circadian Rhythm Disorder

When your sleep cycle is unregulated, often due to lifestyle habits, blindness, or jet lag.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing stops in short periods during sleep, causing the brain to shock the body awake.

Narcolepsy

A neurological disorder leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable urges to sleep.

Parasomnia

Involves nontypical behaviors during sleep, like walking, talking, eating, and hitting. It also includes sleep terrors such as nightmares.

Sleep Paralysis

When you're temporarily unable to move or speak when you fall asleep or wake up. Your muscles are paralyzed in a REM state while your mind is conscious, leading to a feeling of being trapped in your body.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Having a strong, irresistible urge to move your legs while sleeping. It can feel like aching, muscle tension, or tingling along the legs when they're not moved, stretched, or rubbed.

Hypersomnia

Having excessive daytime sleepiness even if you have enough sleep in the nighttime.

What are the effects of sleep disorders?

Physical risk

Individuals who lack proper sleep of at least 7 hours are at higher risk of injury during the day. Those with diagnosed sleep disorders more commonly experience broken bones or harmful falls. A lack of consistent sleep has also been linked to higher rates of obesity, strokes, heart attacks, and hypertension.

On the flip side, a proper sleep schedule can boost your physical health. Sleep may seem like it's not doing much, but it actually repairs your body. Getting proper rest can help a person's body fight against germs or sickness, grow, decrease health issues, and much more.

Damage to mental health

The amount of time a person sleeps at night can be linked to their mood throughout the next day. By not giving the brain enough time to rest, people are much more likely to have negative emotional responses, anxiety, or mood swings. Prolonged sleep disorders or sleep deprivation can also lead to depression over time.

All in all, getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night is crucial for your physical and emotional wellbeing. Make sure to check with a doctor if you suspect you have a sleep disorder that makes it challenging for you to sleep.

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