Sleep Disorders Symptoms
Sleep Disorders Symptoms Decoded
Sleep is very important for health and growth. Lack of sleep has been linked to mood swings, depression, problems in digestion, blood pressure issues etc. Similarly too much sleep has been associated with tiredness, emotional disorders, stress and sluggishness. However, sleep disorders follow a pattern and there are certain sleep disorder symptoms that can tell if you are suffering from either insomnia which is lack of sleep, disturbed sleep syndrome such as sleep apnea, REM sleep disorder, restless leg syndrome, etc., or narcolepsy which is excessive sleeping.
Identifying sleep disorder
Some of us may not be able to identify if our lack of sleep is an isolated incident that does not warrant any concern or a problem related to some chronic disorder. If you are suffering from symptoms such as the ones mentioned below chances are that there might be a deeper underlying problem that you need to address as these are all sleep disorder symptoms.
• Constant fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• Look and feel tired and exhausted
• Slow reactions
• Emotional instability
• Difficulty in anger management
• Need for stimulants such as tobacco or caffeine to keep you awake
• Feeling sleepy while doing stationary activities like reading, driving, or watching the television or a desire to take a nap every day
Common types of sleep disorders
Insomnia
One of the most common sleep disorder symptoms is lack of sleep or insomnia. Insomnia can be caused by stress, poor lifestyle habits such as erratic bedtime and sleep schedules or because of the use of stimulants such as caffeine and tobacco right before bedtime. However, whatever the reason behind your insomnia, it can be treated easily by improving sleeping patterns, learning to relax and trying to incorporate a healthier lifestyle in general such as avoiding stimulants, getting some physical activity, taking a warm bath before bed etc. If your problem still persists, visiting a doctor would be a good idea as he/she would be able to identify the cause of your insomnia better and give you the correct treatment.
Sleep apnea
Another symptom, amongst the several sleep disorder symptoms, is excessive snoring accompanied with paused breathing, waking up after choking or gasping to restart breathing. Feeling tired after a complete night’s sleep could also be a signal that points towards sleep apnea. The chances of having sleep apnea are compounded if one is overweight or suffers from constant nasal congestion or nasal blockages. Having a deviated nasal septum or having larger than usual tonsils or adenoids can also lead to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea should not be ignored as this condition leads to reduced oxygen levels in the blood stream and can cause or aggravate a number of health problems. However, it can be cured by visiting a doctor or consulting a sleep specialist.
Restless leg syndrome
Some of the lesser known of sleep disorder symptoms is the irresistible desire to constantly move ones arms or legs while in bed. This could be because of discomfort caused by tingly, uncomfortable creeping sensations in the leg while lying down causing lack of sleep. Called the Restless Leg Syndrome, this sleep disorder can be associated with anemia, alcoholism, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease, and kidney problems.
