Monday, April 26, 2010

The Truth About Sleeping Disorders

By Jason McDrarren

Did you realize that there are eighty-four distinct sleep disorders that people can suffer from? You probably know someone who has suffers from one of these sleep disorders. Maybe you have friend who does strange things while he sleeps, like sleepwalking. Or perhaps you know someone that snores so loud he wakes himself up multiple times each night? Few people realize just how serious a sleep disorder can be. They can make it impossible to work some jobs and they can affect a person's life in many unexpected ways. There also seems to be a bit of a stigma associated with sleep disorders. However, it's important to understand that they are real problems that need real treatment. Some sleeping disorders are more serious than others. But all should be remedied.

Many people that suffer from a sleeping disorder have a hard time holding down work or getting through school. They might find that their relationships suffer too. Often, someone with a sleeping disorder will be very tired throughout the day. They might suffer from depression because they just can't find the willpower or energy to accomplish all the things they want to accomplish. This can very hard to deal with. Imagine feeling too tired to function, yet when you lay down to go to bed, you can't sleep. This is what some sleeping disorders are like. It can be very frustrating and difficult to live with.

Fortunately, there is help out there for those that are suffering from sleeping disorders. The easiest way to find out what kind of disorder you suffer from and what treatment might help, is through the use of polysomnography. This process involves the measurement of many different body functions and takes place while you sleep. With a polysomnogram in hand, your doctor can see your sleep pattern throughout the night. He can see how your breathing and heart rate changed and even how your eye movements changed through the night. Your brain functioning is also displayed. Some of these test can be performed at home, but for the most comprehensive results it is best to visit a sleep clinic that specializes in polysomnography.

Sleeping disorders are often treated under the careful supervision of a medical doctor. If prescription drugs are used then a person's doctor will usually require regular visits so that the impact of the drugs can be monitored. Often people suffering from sleeping disorder find that they don't feel like themselves. They may feel run down and sick. But eventually treatment will allow them to once again achieve a regular sleep schedule.

The average person sleeps seven hours each night. Those suffering from sleeping disorders usually only sleep a couple hours each night or alternatively they might sleep many more hours than the average person. When our sleep patterns stray too far from what our body needs, then we start experience many different symptoms. Our immune system functioning can be affected and we may become more vulnerable to disease or sickness.

Today's lifestyles, particularly those of the younger generation, aren't particularly healthy. With so many people drinking, smoking, and staying up late, it is no wonder that we see so many illnesses. Drugs and alcohol are often the causes of sleeping disorders. These sleeping disorders can be compounded if an individual lives a sedentary life. Lack of exercise and proper nutrition can cause people to become overweight. Have too much weight often exacerbates or even causes some of the most common sleeping problems.

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