Having a good night sleep is essential and it can boost your mood, overall health, memory, focus, and performance. On the other hand, poor sleep or sleeplessness can increase the risk of developing numerous health issues, such as hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes type 2, and Parkinson’s. Moreover, insufficient sleep will lead to poor performance and affect your everyday life.

Sometimes, poor sleep or sleeplessness can be affected by our habits, including foods, drinks, and wrong bedtime routines. However, there are some sleep disorders which can be a result of an underlying physical condition. Hence, let’s take a look at some of the most common sleep disorders and their possible treatments.

Sleep Disorders Besides Insomnia and Sleep Apnea and Possible Treatment

Our sleep is primarily determined by our internal clock which can be found in the hypothalamus (suprachiasmatic nucleus). So, when the work of this clock is interrupted, it might lead to sleeplessness. One such instance is jet lag which can disrupt our internal clock and trigger the inability to fall or stay asleep.

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders. It happens when a person can’t fall asleep or wakes up several times during the night. This sleep disorder is usually caused by bad lifestyle habits or anxiety, depression, or certain medications. Treating insomnia is very important but not always easy. The first thing to do if you suspect you have insomnia is to get yourself tested. Fortunately, this process is now easier than ever. The tests can be done in the comfort of your own home. The most common and effective procedure is known as an overnight oximetry testing.

Snoring is another possible cause as the sound might leave you without sleep. However, the person who snores is likely to have a serious sleep disorder, known as sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder which causes breathing breaks due to a partial or complete blockage to the upper airway passage. The shortness of breath happens while a person is sleeping. This is a quite serious condition and if left untreated, it can lead to strokes.

There are numerous treatments possible for sleep apnea. Some of the most effective treatments include a retainer-like thing to alleviate snoring or a CPAP machine, which will keep your airway open while you sleep. Moreover, you might be asked to undertake some lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery to remove extra tissue in the throat. However, in order to get a proper diagnosis, you should undertake a home sleep test which is very convenient. You will be required to wear a device while sleeping.

One of the most undiscovered sleep disorders is probably narcolepsy. The culprits of narcolepsy are still unknown. However, it is believed that some of the most probable causes are genetics and environmental factors. Narcolepsy is a condition which causes daytime sleepiness, which with the ability to fulfil the daily routine. As the causes are still unknown, the treatment also remains a mystery. Making some lifestyle changes are known to help to a certain extent.

Restless Legs Syndrome is another condition which is considered to disrupt sleep. This condition occurs when limbs uncontrollably twitch during the night, making it harder to get a good night’s sleep. Some of the most common causes of Restless Legs Syndrome are considered to be nerve disorders, genetics, and vitamin deficiencies. The most effective treatment for this condition is believed to be incorporating healthy habits.

Sleeplessness can also be caused by terror and nightmares. These are usually a result of underlying stress and drug or alcohol intake. Nightmares should be considered only as a bad dream and we should not let them affect our lives.

Knowing which sleep disorders there are is very important as well as their early diagnosis and treatment.