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Sleep Disorders: Restore Your Sleep, Restore Your Life in Columbia, MD.
Sleep is absolutely essential for normal, healthy function. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 40 million people in the United States suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders, while an additional 20 million people suffer occasional sleep problems.
With our Customized treatment at Caritas Behavioral Health Services LLC Columbia, Maryland you will get back to your normal healthy sleep.
What is a Sleep disorder?
Sleep disorders, also known as sleep-wake disorders, pertain to challenges with the quality, timing, and volume of sleep.
These issues lead to daytime discomfort and a decline in daily performance. Often, sleep-wake disorders coincide with medical issues or other mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, or cognitive disturbances.
Sleep disorders refer to conditions that disrupt your regular sleep-wake patterns.
These disorders, numbering over 80, can influence:
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Your sleep quality.
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The timing of when you sleep and your ability to remain asleep.
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The overall amount of sleep you get and your wakefulness duration.
Occasional sleep disturbances are common for everyone.
However, it might indicate a sleep disorder if:
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You consistently struggle with sleep.
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You still feel exhausted during the day after getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep the previous night.
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Such fatigue hampers your ability to carry out daily tasks.
What are the primary types of sleep disorders?
Over the years, classifications for sleep disorders have evolved. In its latest revision, the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3R) sorts sleep disorders based on symptoms, their impact on an individual, and the affected body system.
The current categories are:
Insomnia: Challenges with falling asleep and maintaining sleep.
Sleep-related breathing disorders: Breathing alterations during sleep.
Central disorders of hypersomnolence: Difficulties staying alert throughout the day.
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders: Disruptions in the body's internal sleep-wake cycle.
Parasomnias: Sleep occurrences like walking, talking, or eating.
Sleep-related movement disorders: Physical movements or compelling urges disrupt sleep initiation and continuity.
The ICSD frequently revises its classification to ensure the latest insights into sleep disorders are incorporated and appropriately categorized.
How much sleep do I need?
Everyone needs sleep. It’s an essential part of what makes our bodies function.
The amount of sleep you need might be more or less than others, but experts recommend adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Optimal sleep time varies by age for example, children and teenagers may need more sleep than adults.
What signs indicate sleep disorders?
What signs indicate sleep disorders?
Different sleep disorders present a variety of symptoms.
Common indicators might be:
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Regularly taking over 30 minutes to fall asleep.
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Frequently waking up during the night and struggling to fall back asleep.
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Snoring, gasping, or choking while asleep.
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A compulsion to move when trying to relax, which is relieved upon movement.
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Feeling paralyzed upon waking. During the day, insufficient sleep might manifest as :Excessive daytime drowsiness, or unintentionally falling asleep during mundane tasks.
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Challenges in concentration or attentiveness.
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Emotional disturbances, such as irritability or difficulty regulating emotions.
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Struggles with meeting performance standards at work or school.
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Being accident-prone or experiencing frequent falls
If persistent sleep challenges or symptoms affecting daytime activities are familiar to you, it's advised to consult a healthcare professional.
What triggers sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders arise from disruptions in the body's sleep-wake cycle.
The underlying reasons differ based on the specific disorder and can range from:
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Underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, respiratory issues, pain, or neurological problems.
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Mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.
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Genetic predispositions or mutations.
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Medication side effects.
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Engaging in nocturnal work shifts.
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Consuming certain substances close to bedtime, like caffeine or alcohol.
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Imbalances in specific brain chemicals or minerals.
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Occasionally, the exact cause might remain unidentified.
To diagnose a sleep disorder, a healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination, assess your symptoms, and may recommend various tests. These tests, such as blood work or imaging, provide insights into potential causes of your sleep issues.
One common method is maintaining a sleep diary, where you record your sleep patterns: your bedtime, estimated sleep time, waking time, any daytime napping, and your feelings pre and post-sleep. Keeping a notepad close to your bed can aid in timely documentation. While exact sleep times might be challenging to pinpoint, wearable technology like smartwatches or actigraph devices can track your rest and activity cycles, offering more accurate timings.
In some cases, your primary care provider may refer you to a sleep specialist. They might suggest undergoing a sleep study, or polysomnogram. This diagnostic test monitors various body and brain activities as you sleep. The data collected is then evaluated by a healthcare provider to confirm or rule out a sleep disorder.
How are sleep disorders diagnosed?
The likelihood of developing sleep disorders can increase if you:
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Have an underlying health condition.
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Frequently experience stress.
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Work late or irregular shifts.
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Have a family history of sleep disorders.
It's also worth noting that research has found women and individuals assigned female at birth tend to be more susceptible to sleep disorders compared to men and those assigned male at birth. Additionally, approximately half of all adults over 65 years of age have some form of sleep disorder.
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Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can have a range of effects on your well-being and health. Beyond the expected daytime fatigue, sleep deprivation can lead to:
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Challenges with learning, memory, and decision-making.
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Changes in personality, including increased irritability.
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Slower reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Over time, chronic sleep loss can elevate the risk of developing serious health issues, including:
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Depression.
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Obesity.
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Type 2 diabetes.
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Heart diseases.
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Dementia.
In extreme cases, certain sleep disorders can pose life-threatening risks.
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To learn more about concerns you have about your sleep patterns, a healthcare provider may ask the following questions during an exam:
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How many hours do you sleep at night?
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Do you toss and turn in your sleep?
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Do you take naps?
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How long does it take you to fall asleep?
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Do you wake up in the middle of the night?
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Do you work the night shift?
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How sleepy do you feel during the day?
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Do you snore?
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Your healthcare provider may refer you to a sleep specialist if they suspect you have a sleep disorder. A sleep specialist is a highly trained healthcare provider who specializes in how sleep affects your body.
You can’t prevent all types of sleep disorders, but you can reduce your risk by practicing good sleeping habits (sleep hygiene).
You should avoid the following three to four hours before bedtime if you want to improve your sleep:
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Caffeinated drinks such as soda, tea and coffee.
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Tobacco.
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Alcohol.
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Naps after 3 p.m.
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Chocolate.
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Heavy meals.
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