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Having trouble sleeping is commonly reported throughout the world. According to the American Sleep Association (AMA), sleep disorders currently affect as many as 50 to 70 million U.S adults, and insomnia is the most commonly reported. As a sleep technologist, you should know that if your patients are unable to sleep, it can get them down. It can also be very dangerous. AMA reports that drowsy driving is responsible for as many as 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries per year on America’s roads. Thankfully, there are treatments available that you can talk to your patients about for the five most common sleep disorders:
In this article, we look at the diagnosis and treatment of these sleep disorders. In order to get an official diagnosis, it’s crucial that patients seek medical advice from a sleep physician if they recognize that they or someone they love is exhibiting any symptoms of these five conditions. The information below relating to diagnosing sleep disorders is for educational purposes only. Discover the latest explanations of key terms used in sleep technology, while also learning about the key concepts you should know with our free ebook, "Sleep Technology Terms & Definitions."InsomniaInsomnia is the term for a difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. There are two different types of insomnia. Transient or short-term insomnia and chronic insomnia.
There are various reasons you can develop insomnia. These include:
Common Symptoms of InsomniaYou could have insomnia if:
You’ll be unable to concentrate and will feel tired and irritable. Your quality of life and social life may be affected. You may also suffer from headaches, tense muscles, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Common Treatment Types for InsomniaMedications tailored to your own specific needs are prescribed. For instance, if anxiety or depression are the underlying cause of your condition, your physician may prescribe you with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Medications for sleep can be used as well, but are typically prescribed to be used on a short-term or as-needed basis. Non-medical methods, such as cognitive behavior therapy, hypnosis, sleep restriction, stimulus control, and relaxation techniques, can also be used to treat insomnia. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol, are also advised. Sleep ApneaObstructive sleep apnea is a serious yet common sleep disorder. Your airway repeatedly becomes blocked, and you’ll stop breathing. When this occurs, you might make choking noises or will snore loudly. You wake up as your body and brain are oxygen deprived. You may find this happens once or twice a night. However, it can happen hundreds of times a night in severe cases. Common Symptoms of Sleep ApneaYou could have sleep apnea if:
Common Treatment Types for Sleep ApneaThere are various ways sleep apnea can be treated, including: CPAP Therapy. A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure therapy) machine is used to keep your airways open as you sleep. The machine uses mild air pressure and is attached to a mask or prongs that fit in your nose. Alternatives. There are other alternatives if you don’t like the idea of wearing a mask to bed. You can choose to:
NarcolepsyNarcolepsy causes you to suddenly fall asleep at any time no matter where you are. Often times, you fall asleep uncontrollably during unusual circumstances, such as while eating. People with narcolepsy are unable to regulate their sleep-wake cycle. Common Symptoms of NarcolepsyYou could have narcolepsy if:
Common Treatment Types for NarcolepsyTreatment is via scheduled naps and medication. To find out more, read Do I Have Narcolepsy? How Polysomnography and MSLT Help Us To Understand. Restless Legs SyndromeRestless Legs Syndrome (RLS) presents as an uncontrollable urge or desire to maneuver your legs while you’re resting. You could also experience unpleasant aching, tingling, burning, and a feeling that something is crawling in your calves. Sometimes you feel these uncomfortable sensations in other body parts. Common Symptoms of Restless Legs SyndromeYou could have restless legs syndrome if:
Common Treatment Types for Restless Legs SyndromeMedications and behavioral therapy can be used to treat RLS. Take a look at Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder for more information on RLS and its related disorder, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). REM Sleep Behavior DisorderWhen you have REM sleep behavior disorder, you act out your dreams while you sleep. You lack the muscle paralysis most people experience while asleep. When the condition causes danger to you or anyone around you, it’s taken particularly seriously. Common Symptoms of REM Sleep Behavior DisorderYou could have REM sleep behavior disorder if:
Common Treatment Types for REM Sleep Behavior DisorderREM sleep behavior disorder is commonly treated with medications. Injury prevention is key if you're affected. Key TakeawaysIt’s crucial to seek professional help if you’re experiencing sleep problems and feel you recognize any of the symptoms above are happening to you. To summarize:
It can be frightening and bewildering for your patients when they suffer from a sleep disorder. A sleep disorder can make them feel irritable, exhausted, and alone. Their bed partner could be angry with them as they don’t understand what is happening to their loved one. Their home, work, and social life might suffer. As you have read above, the good news is there are help and treatment available. The best way forward for patients with a sleep disorder is to seek help from a sleep physician. In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about sleep medicine terms you should know, subscribe to the American Association Sleep Technologist (AAST) blog and download your free copy of the Sleep Technology Terms & Definitions ebook. You’ll discover the latest explanations of key terms used in sleep technology as well as learning about the key concepts you should know.
What is a disorder characterized by difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep?Insomnia, in which you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
What is a disorder characterized by uncontrollable falling asleep?Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.
What are 3 common sleeping disorders?Key Sleep Disorders – Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Insomnia. Insomnia is characterized by an inability to initiate or maintain sleep. ... . Narcolepsy. ... . Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) ... . Sleep Apnea.. What are the 5 most common sleep disorders?How to Diagnose & Treat the 5 Most Common Sleep Disorders. Insomnia.. Sleep Apnea.. Narcolepsy.. Restless Legs Syndrome.. and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.. |