Types of Sleep Disorders And Its Treatment

5 Types of Sleep Disorders And Its Treatments

Do you have trouble sleeping, feel sleepy during the day, or wake up feeling exhausted? Here are some types of sleep disorders that you need to recognize and get the treatment you need.

What is Sleep Disorder?

Sleep disorders are a medical condition that brings changes in the way you sleep.

A sleep disorder can affect your ability to get enough quality sleep. Many of us have experienced difficulties in sleeping because of stress, illness, travel, or other disbalances to our normal routine. However, if you have problems getting sleep at night, feel sleepy during the day, or wake up feeling exhausted then you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

Some of the signs and symptoms of sleep disorders are irregular sleep, difficulty falling asleep, irregular breathing, excessive daytime sleepiness, or increased movement during sleep.

5 Types of sleep disorders

There are many different types of sleep disorders. They are:

Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most common types of sleep disorder where you will feel difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. There are two types of Insomnia:

  • Transient or short-term Insomnia
  • Chronic Insomnia

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a chronic serious type of sleep disorder. Here, a person will experience intermittent cessation of breathing during sleep. These brief periods of stopped breathing lead to a reduction in oxygen levels in the blood, causing a person’s body to be jerked awake.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is another type of sleep disorder. When you have Narcolepsy disorder, it causes you to suddenly fall asleep at any time wherever you are. And, most of the time, you fall asleep uncontrollably during unusual circumstances like while eating. People who are suffering from narcolepsy are unable to regulate their sleep-wake cycle.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias include sleepwalking, sleep eating, nightmares, bed-wetting, hallucinations, sleep talking, sleep paralysis, rapid eye movement, and night terrors the person doesn’t remember afterward.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Circadian rhythm disorders are the conditions that may result from your internal biological clock being out of sync with external time cues. These types of disorders are usually caused due to blindness in people working night shifts, or frequent travelers experiencing jet lag.

How are sleep disorders treated?

Here are some treatment plans that you have to choose according to the type of sleep disorder you have.

Lifestyle Changes

If your sleep disorder is not a serious medical condition then lifestyle changes can be a helpful way to get your sleep back in line. You just to need to make a few changes to your diet and exercise plan.

Improved Sleep Hygiene

In some cases, a few changes to your bedtime routine may require in your treatment plan. Some of the changes are:

  • Managing noise and light in your bedroom
  • Minimizing light exposure during the evening
  • Lowering the temperature in your room at night
  • Limiting screen time before bed
  • Maintaining a consistent sleep/wake schedule
  • Avoiding large meals and caffeine in the evening

Counseling

Counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment that is often recommended in the treatment of sleep disorders. This type of treatment can be done individually, and in a group setting. Patients should be aware and calm, however, that counseling is typically not a quick cure. Counseling can take some time to cure.

Conclusion

The effects of sleep disorders can be so disruptive that you may want immediate relief. But the length of the treatment will depend on the type of sleep disorder you are dealing with.

However, if you stick with your treatment plan and consult with your doctor regularly, you can improve your sleep.