Sleeping Disorders

For starters, I would like to go over some of the different types of sleep disorders as there are many different kinds. Some are psychological in nature while others may relate to physical problems. So here goes.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common, serious disorder that can be life-threatening. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow durring sleeping. Each pause in breathing can last up to 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour.

The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, enough air cannot flow into your lungs through your mouth and nose, even if you are trying to breathe normally. When this happens, the amount of oxygen in your blood stream will decrease. Normal breaths then start again with a loud snort or choking sound.

Symptoms can be scary - frequent waking episodes at night, usually accompanied by a feeling of “choking” or gasping for air like you had been held underwater and are coming up for breath. People living with others suffering form sleep apnea will often hear gasping, gagging, or choking sounds from the person they are living with. The severity of this disorder makes treatment essential. Treatment may include behavioral changes, physical and mechanical devices, and in some cases, surgery.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory disorder causing an almost irresistible urge to move the legs or less often the arms as well. The urge to move the legs is usually due to uncomfortable, tingly, or creeping sensations that occur when at rest. Movement eases the feelings, but only for a while. Like you have the feeling that you need to move even when you should be relaxing/sleeping.
RLS is not necessarily confined to your sleep time. Symptoms most often occur when you are relaxed or lying down. You may also notice small, jerky movements of the toes, feet, and legs as you are trying to fall asleep. This order is involuntary but can be treated.


Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes a person to have difficulty staying awake. Narcolepsy can cause a person to suddenly fall asleep during the day.
These “sleep attacks” can happen even if you are getting enough sleep at night. The unusual sleep pattern that people with narcolepsy have can affect their lives in many ways; schooling, work, social life and anything else.
Falling asleep during activities in public places like when walking, driving, cooking, or talking can have dangerous results, both professionally and personally.

Symptoms can include:

• Uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during times outside of your normal sleeping times
  
• Excessive daytime tiredness and general grogginess
  
• Sudden, short loss of muscle control during emotional situations (cataplexy)

As narcolepsy involves your nervous system, treatment of it requires a combination of medication, behavioral treatment, and counseling sessions.