5 Lesser Known Sleep Disorders

Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea happens when there is not enough air getting to the lungs as a result of the airway closing up while sleeping. It can be difficult to differentiate between sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, because the symptoms are all very similar. By recognizing the symptoms of sleep apnea, the sufferer and their doctor will be able to make the decision on what to do about the disorder. Shift Work Disorder There are many people around the country who have to work different shifts, swing shifts, and overnight shifts. These people may have trouble sleeping at night when they are not working or trouble sleeping during the day when they have been working. By not sleeping regular hours, people who work shift work can destroy their Circadian rhythms. Shift work disorder can have symptoms that include excessive daytime sleepiness, exhaustion and fatigue. These can pose a problem for daily life and can lead to severe consequences. Shift work disorder can generally be cured once the person goes back to a regular shift.

Extreme Sleepiness Extreme sleepiness is a disorder that involves being extremely tired during the day for a reason that is not the cause of another disease. It is not caused from any secondary issues and shows up on its own for no reason. Extreme sleepiness can be diagnosed by a sleep professional. Lifestyle changes can sometimes fix the disorder, but are not likely to help. Many times, people with extreme sleepiness require medication to help manage the symptoms that are caused by it.

Insomnia While many people see insomnia as a disease that causes them to not be able to sleep, that is a blanket term. Insomnia is the inability to sleep as a result of sleep cycle changes not caused by medication, diet, or any other lifestyle factors. It can be difficult to diagnose, especially in people who have extreme lifestyle circumstances. It is important to note that insomnia is a disease and is not simply a person’s inability to sleep. While some people may go through bouts where they are not able to sleep, that does not mean they have insomnia.

GERD The uncomfortable condition known as GERD is usually seen as a disorder of the stomach and digestive system. It causes problems like indigestion, heartburn, and other stomach-related issues. It is recognized as one of the sleep disorders Novato, because it causes issues with sleeping patterns. Due to the high amount of acid in the esophageal area, it can cause a person to be uncomfortable while they are sleeping. Along with these issues, it can lead to a person having a secondary complication that later presents as a sleep disorder. It is important for anyone with GERD to work with a gastroenterologist and a sleep disorders professional in Novato who understands the way GERD affects a person’s sleeping patterns.

Sleep Apnea - the Invisible Condition

Many people, who have sleep apnea, do not even know they have this condition. The mild cases do not disturb the person enough for them to notice, although there may be some indications of a problem.

For example, the studies of sleep apnea in Novato show that the diagnosis of the condition comes from observing a person in the entire sleep pattern. This is the clearest way to see the problems of sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) notes how difficult it is to determine problems associated with sleep apnea. The confirmation comes from the studies of sleep apnea  Novato.

A person experiencing sleep apnea feels like they are choking in their sleep. They awake suddenly with the feeling that they cannot breathe.

This is a horrible condition, because many people who have this condition do not even know they have it, as it is often undetected.

The NIH notes that obstructive sleep apnea occurs as follows:

• The airway become blocked during sleep
• A partner in the same bed may notice this before the person experiencing this problem notices it
• This is a common problem for people that are obese

Conditions Related to Sleep Apnea

• Sleep apnea increases the risks of diabetes, heart conditions, and stroke
• Sleep apnea increases the risk of irregular heart beats
• Sleep apnea increases the risk of on-the-job accidents
• Sleep apnea increases the chance of having an automobile accident

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

The treatment may come from a dentist instead of a doctor. Surprisingly, a dentist is the most likely help for problems with sleep apnea. The reasons for this is that a dentist understands the normal positioning of the teeth in the mouth and the way that everything interacts between the teeth, the mouth, the jaws, and the throat to make a nice balance.

Without this balance, there is the possibility of sleep apnea occurring.

Summary

It is not easy to notice if there is a problem with sleep apnea. Many times the first indication of a problem comes from a partner sleeping in the same bed, who wakes from the sounds of the other person struggling to breathe while sleeping.

Sleep apnea is a treatable problem. After recognition of the problem, for those having this difficulty, who want to get relief, they can seek out treatment for sleep apnea in Novato.

Learning More About Sleep Disoders Might Serve as the First Step to Great Sleep

People who suffer from lack of sleep often have some mysterious underlying issue but don't have the tools to properly identify that issue. 

The inability to pinpoint the reason for their sleeplessness often means they continue to suffer and usually end up letting the situation go on for several years. In some cases of sleep disorders Novato, unresolved cases can go on for a lifetime. With sleep clinics and medical professionals who focus on disordered sleeping, and finding solutions to these issues, poor sleepers can find answers and a path toward achieving consistent good nights of sleeping and refreshing rest.

What Can Most People Learn About Sleep Disorders to Help Them Decide How to Find Help?

People often think of insomnia and sleep apnea when it comes to discussing sleep disorders. While those issues are most common, there are several other sleep disturbances that might cause inability to sleep or some sleep interruptions. 

Patients who visit a reputable hospital with a staff of committed and compassionate professionals unsettled sleepers might find some answers and sound solutions for some common sleep disorders that many people might not imagine are happening to them:

• Nightmares. Many people start having occasional nightmares at an early age; as an expression of unspoken daytime fears and worries, or from having watched a particularly scary film. When nightmares consistently follow someone into adulthood, preventing a good night's sleep, they have surpassed that original idea of a bad dream and become something dark and prohibitive of getting sleep for some sufferers to sleep much at all.

• Insomnia. This most common sleep disorder is, for suffering patients, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep when all conditions to do so — a safe, comfortable and soft bed and warm soothing surroundings, for example — are available to the person suffering from insomnia. Insomnia can go on for long periods and end suddenly. However, while someone deals with an ongoing bout with this condition, they might experience fatigue, challenges concentrating, mood disturbances, low energy, and decreased scholastic or work performance.
• Sleep Apnea. As associated with lack of breathing as lack of sleeping, sleep apnea is another problem facing many people just trying to get enough rest to lead productive lives. 
• An "apnea," or a breathing pause happens frequently throughout someone's sleep and lasts about 10 seconds. Those who suffer from this condition usually only experience fragmented sleep and feel tired much of the time.

When patients attend a sleep specialist, they can find out about these conditions and others to get the help they need to finally get some rest.

Effects of alcohol on sleep apnea

Many people believe that a nightcap will help them sleep better. However, those suffering from sleep apnea Novato may experience disruption in sleep patterns that can cause problems when sleeping. Some of those who suffer from sleep apnea may experience worsening conditions when they drink alcohol. In some cases, conditions become hazardous to a person’s health when they rely on a machine to help them sleep with apnea and drink alcohol before bedtime.

Breathing

The amount of beverages a person enjoys during the day may affect how someone with sleep apnea sleeps. Depending upon how much alcohol is consumed and how bad the apnea is, a person can experience very shallow breathing. In extreme cases, some experience stoppage of breathing at various points throughout the night.

Snoring

Because of the effects alcohol has on the body, it is possible to develop snoring issues and sleep apnea. This can even occur in patients who have never experienced any signs or symptoms before. Those who do not normally snore, many find themselves snoring when they have been out drinking. Those who already snore may discover the start developing conditions related to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea and snoring can worsen with as little as one to two alcoholic beverages.

Oxygen levels

Increased snoring and breathing complications related to sleep apnea can cause oxygen levels in the body to drop. Because alcohol slows down and can impede breathing, this can cause an extreme drop in oxygen levels. If this occurs it could increase the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which is also known as hypercapnia.

Alcohol

Patients undergoing therapy to help improve and rid themselves of their sleep apnea should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. Even one or two beverages could cause problems associated with a person’s sleep apnea condition and in some cases make it worse. This is mostly because alcohol consumption will hinder a patient’s progress in improving their sleep apnea.

The effects of alcohol will be determined on how much someone drinks and how bad their sleep apnea is. For help with sleep apnea visit a local physician or sleep center in the Novato area. During a visit, patients will learn how their drinking may be making their sleep apnea worse.

Get enough sleep while traveling

Some people find themselves traveling often, which takes them away from the comfort of their own bed. Excessive traveling can cause a disruption in a person’s sleep habits, which can hinder how they function while traveling. Those traveling for work may find themselves having a hard time focusing due to their lack of sleep. While those who are traveling for a vacation, may find themselves wanting to go back to bed and not enjoy their vacation because of a lack of sleep. No matter what the reasons are for traveling, it is important to focus on getting enough sleep.

Signs of sleep deprivation

Those who are suffering from sleep deprivation while traveling, also referred to as jet lag, will experience various signs and symptoms. Some symptoms may include body fatigue, trouble staying awake, headaches and trouble concentrating. Other physical problems associated with jet lag may include digestive issues, unstable blood pressure and slower reflexes.

Relaxing while traveling

As long as the traveler is not the one driving, the time traveling offer the perfect opportunity to relax and get in some additional sleep. Those traveling by plane, train or bus will have plenty of time to get some much needed sleep in. To help improve sleep during this time it might be best to get a sleep mask to block out the light and wear headphones to block out the noise. A neck pillow will help offer some comfort for sleeping while traveling.

Sleeping at the hotel

Not everyone is able to get a sound night’s sleep while staying in a hotel. Everything from outside noises to sleeping in an unfamiliar location can impede the quality of sleep someone gets. To help get the best sleep possible while at a hotel it may be necessary to stick to a normal routine, get a workout in daily, bring some comforts from home and turn off the phone.

For some, having trouble getting enough sleep is caused by the fact that they are traveling a lot. While others sleep disorders Novato find out that they are suffering from one or more of the different sleep disorders. It is best to speak with a physician to help determine if the lack of sleep is caused by traveling or is indeed a sleeping disorder.

Seeking Treatment for Sleep Apnea is Important

Sleep apnea is a common problem. It is seen more often in those who are overweight or obese, but thinner people can also suffer from it. Not everyone who has the condition is aware that they have it. If they live and sleep alone, they may not notice that they stop breathing for periods of time during the night. They can have a sleep study done by a doctor, to determine whether they have sleep apnea. People who have a partner who sleeps with them may discover the condition only because their partner becomes aware of it.

No matter how they find out they have a medical problem, getting treatment for sleep apnea is very important. People who do not get treatment can see the condition worsen, which can lead to other health problems. For those who have sleep apnea Novato in Novato, there are treatment options available. Diagnosis and treatment should be explored as soon as possible, to avoid making the sleep apnea worse or having it lead to other medical issues. Many people who have sleep apnea struggle to stay awake during the day, and they never feel rested.

Not getting enough good sleep can contribute to stress, weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, and other issues, but the risk can be reduced if the sleep apnea is treated and gotten under control. The pillar procedure is one of the ways sleep apnea is treated. It is non-invasive and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Once it has been done, the patient generally has a reduction or an elimination of sleep apnea and its symptoms. Many patients are amazed at how good they feel when they are able to simply get a good night's sleep for the first time in a very long time.

There are patients who have been dealing with sleep apnea for years. They may have tried other treatments, such as CPAP machines, but not found relief. Many of these options are cumbersome and uncomfortable, so the patient stops wearing or using them. When a simple procedure can be used to reduce the problems that come with sleep apnea, it can restore a patient's quality of life. Sleep apnea treatment can also improve the relationship a patient has with their spouse or partner, since getting good sleep affects nearly everything a person does in their daily life.

Sleep Disorders Should Not be Ignored

Sleep disorders like snoring and sleep apnea are often ignored. People are not interested in dealing with the problem, or they live alone and do not even realize that is is happening. They may not feel rested or think they are not sleeping well, but they may not realize why that is the case. For those who live alone and want answers, they can get information on their sleep disorders Novato in Novato. A sleep study will tell them if they are getting proper rest, and if they have sleep apnea or if they snore during the time they are not awake.

Once they have the results of this study, they can make choices about what to do next. Regardless of the condition or issue they have, it should be treated. Ignoring problems like sleep apnea can lead to weight gain, trouble staying awake during the day, poor job performance, car accidents, heart problems, diabetes, and other issues. It is a serious concern, but there are treatments for it that will help a patient feel better and be healthier. One of these is the pillar procedure, which can be done in less than 30 minutes and is non-invasive. It is designed to reduce or eliminate sleep apnea, which can help with a number of other health issues.

Exploring the cause of the sleep apnea or snoring issues is always the next step, after a sleep study indicates a problem. For those who do not sleep alone, a sleep study may not be necessary. Their partner may make it clear that their snoring is becoming a problem, or that they stop breathing multiple times during the night due to sleep apnea. Those kinds of conversations can be red flags for a potentially serious medical condition, and should not be taken lightly.

After a patient knows that sleep apnea or snoring is a problem, it is important to discover the cause of the issue. In some cases it may be weight related, but people who are not overweight or obese can also have trouble with sleep apnea or snoring. The shape of the nasal passages, the way a person's jaw naturally falls when they are relaxed, and other factors can all lead to snoring or problems with sleep apnea. Once the cause is determined, the right treatment can be prescribed and administered, so the person can get good, restful sleep once again.