Getting a great night’s sleep is so important – but is a sleep disorder preventing you from sleeping properly?
Sleep provides our brains and bodies with the essential “downtime” needed for rest, repair, recovery, and mental processing. You would think that getting a good night’s sleep should be simple – but this isn’t always the case.
For some of us, sleeping well is a real challenge, whether it’s going to sleep, staying asleep, sleeping deeply, or just getting the right amount of sleep. The reasons for this are diverse and may include unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor sleep hygiene, stress, snoring, one’s environment, and certain medical conditions.
Furthermore, at least a quarter of NZ adults have a chronic sleep disorder, with insomnia being the most prevalent of these.
What is a Sleep Disorder?
The circadian rhythm and sleeping patterns are regulated by the brain and driven, to an extent, by light and hormone release in response to it. Normal, healthy sleep features distinct stages occurring over 90–120-minute cycles throughout the night, for between 7 and 9 hours of sleep overall.
A sleep disorder (or sleep-wake disorder) is any condition that prevents normal sleep by impacting the timing, quality, and/or amount of sleep one regularly gets at night.
Sleep disorders may be characterised by:
- Persistent trouble falling asleep
- Inability to stay asleep
- Irregular breathing or movements during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness – even with adequate sleep at night
Most people will occasionally experience short-term sleeping issues; these may arise due to a hectic schedule, psychological stress, emotional upheaval, acute illness, or another external influence. Sleep issues that become chronic or occur daily may indicate a sleep disorder.
Having a sleep disorder can lead to symptoms including:
- daytime sleepiness and mental fatigue
- lack of physical energy
- mood issues
- problems with concentration, learning, and focus
- functional impairment
- relationship issues
- poor work/school performance
- diminished safety at work and on the road
- increased risk of developing chronic health conditions.
Understanding Common Sleep Disorders
International Classification of Sleep Disorders recognises:
- Insomnia = issues falling/staying asleep
- Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders = breathing changes during sleep
- Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence = issues with alertness during the day
- Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders = internal body clock issues related to sleep/waking
- Parasomnias = sleepwalking, sleep-talking, sleep-eating, bedwetting, teeth grinding, REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder, etc
- Sleep-related Movement Disorders = abnormal movements that disrupt sleep
The most common sleep disorders are sleep apnea and insomnia. There are more than 80 other sleep disorders that have been defined by medical science; some are common, some rare.
The most common sleep disorders are discussed below.
“Sleep Starts”
We all know the feeling of falling and jerking just as we’re dozing off – it’s common, unpleasant, and wakes us to at least an extent. This phenomenon is referred to as “sleep starts” and occurs as the body’s muscles suddenly “jerk” just as one is falling asleep. It usually feels like a sudden dream of slipping, tripping, or falling and it disrupts the process of falling asleep just as it is beginning. It affects people of all ages.
A similar issue, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder occurs most in middle-aged and older people and causes muscle spasms in the legs that may wake the person.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
RLS is a neurological (nervous system) condition. It causes an irresistible urge to move the legs while one is resting. It’s present at any time and improves with movement, but tends to worsen later in the day and be most prevalent when trying to go to sleep. Frequently associated with other health conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson’s disease, it is described as a feeling of creeping, crawling, tingling, or cramping in the legs.
Narcolepsy
This is a debilitating sleep-wake disorder that occurs when one’s brain can’t regulate falling asleep or staying awake. It leads to extreme daytime sleepiness and even falling asleep involuntarily. Some people may also find they are unable to move when waking from sleep. In extreme cases, the person may suddenly lose muscle function or experience hallucinations. Nighttime sleep disturbance is common.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
These result in an inability to sleep and wake at the “normal” times needed to function properly with work, school, and social schedules. They include Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Jet Lag, Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, and others.
Idiopathic Hypersomnia
This is another debilitating neurological sleep-wake disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness despite achieving what should be more than adequate amounts of good quality sleep at night.
Sleep Walking
This parasomnia, formally referred to as somnambulism, occurs during deep non-REM sleep and is most common in children. Most who do it will eventually grow out of it. It usually occurs earlier in the night and cases generally last fewer than ten minutes. It’s best to not wake a sleepwalker but to gently guide them back to bed.
How To Manage Sleep Disorders
It’s important to consult with your GP if you think you may have a sleep disorder; they can uncover the right diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment if it is required.
Untreated sleep disorders may lead to other health and well-being consequences. Moreover, some sleep disorders are a direct result and symptom of a medical or mental health condition. The associated issues with sleeping may be resolved when the underlying issue is treated.
If a sleep disorder is not caused by a medical condition, management may include lifestyle changes and/or medical treatments. Some sleep disorders, on the other hand, are harmless and require no treatment.
Is My Snoring Contributing?
Snoring definitely interrupts sleep – even if the snorer isn’t aware they are snoring (or waking up through the night due to their snoring).
Likewise, if you suffer from a sleep disorder, regardless of how severe it is, your sleep quality will be affected. Snoring will only make it all worse.
Do yourself a favour and nip snoring in the bud: use ApneaRx.
ApneaRx is the NZ brand of a convenient, simple-to-use snoring solution that is successfully used by thousands of people all over the world. It is a registered Class 1 Medical Device that’s widely recommended by doctors, sleep specialists, and pharmacists for use by adults of any age.
ApneaRx is worn in the mouth during sleep, and it opens the airways and prevents the soft tissue vibrations in the mouth and throat that cause snoring by gently moving the lower jaw slightly forward. The outcome is a deeper, healthier night’s sleep.
ApneaRx may also help provide healthier sleep for people experiencing mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Visit our website now for more information and purchase ApneaRx online now.
