Do You Suffer From One Of These Sleep Disorders?

Young and restless? Middle-aged and sleepless? It’s more common than you think.

In North America, it’s estimated that 70 million adults suffer from a sleep disorder. This is a significant problem that should not be ignored when it comes to your health.

When you’re not getting the rest you need (and deserve), sleeplessness can take its toll. Sleep disorders impact your functionality, health, moods, and how you interact with family, friends, and co-workers. They limit your focus, worsen your decision-making skills, and they tend to make Mondays feel less lustrous than they already are!

Unfortunately, so many of us don’t even recognize chronic sleep disorders, often leaving them untreated for long periods of time.

Sleep disorders can have serious consequences. It is important to identify them early and take steps to address them. Otherwise, they can have a negative impact on our lives. To get you on the path to a healthier, more restful sleep, let’s take a look at some of the most common sleep disorders impacting adults.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder for many adults—and one our patients are diagnosed with every day. It occurs when the upper airway is partially or completely obstructed, limiting oxygen to blood cells and the brain.

Undiagnosed sleep apnea can lead to dangerous complications such as heart attacks, high blood pressure and severe daytime drowsiness. Additionally, it can disrupt the sleep of others through loud snoring or sudden, frequent awakenings. Because of this, sleep quality can be severely harmed over time if sleep apnea is left untreated.

Sleep apnea is often brought on by excess body weight, smoking, overconsumption of alcohol, and back-sleeping. While lifestyle changes may help reduce the risk of apnea, sometimes treatment is essential for managing more serious cases.

Insomnia

Insomnia is typified by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This includes waking up in the middle of the night and being unable to fall back asleep, waking up too early in the morning, or feeling unrefreshed from sleep. This, in turn, can contribute to daytime issues such as trouble concentrating, drowsy driving, fatigue and mood problems.

Insomnia varies by person and may be short or long-term. Short-term insomnia can be caused by stress, illness, or environmental factors. Long-term insomnia is usually linked to chronic stress, injuries, or mental health concerns.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sleep-related movement disorder. It is characterized by an intense need to move one’s legs in the evening or at night.

In fact, the sensation is often uncomfortable or even painful. RLS is often associated with intense muscle contractions in the calves or feet during sleep, leading to sudden, startling awakenings. Temporary pain can often be relieved by walking, moving your legs, or stretching the affected muscle. However, this can disrupt your sleep.

Are you experiencing signs or symptoms of any of these common sleep disorders? If you’re struggling with daytime tiredness or interrupted sleep schedules, you may require some lifestyle changes or even treatment. Book a free sleep consultation today so we can help you get back to sleeping better.

We wrote this post with reference to a journal on PubMed Central®. You can read the full journal here.