Sunday, November 26, 2006

Why Can't I Sleep well?


First things first, what is sleep disorder? This is where psychological and physical disturbance exists in sleep as well as in wakefulness as caused by specific abnormalities.

The patterns of sleeping of a particular animal or person is in disorder, therefore interfering with one's emotional and mental functioning.

Diagnosis that is true and accurate could be determined via a polysomnogram or through its regular name called sleep test.

Believe it or not, there has been an estimated forty million sufferers of sleeping disorder in America alone. While an estimated twenty to thirty million in America have sleeping disorders irregularly.

It has been calculated that the yearly productivity costs in safety and health care due to sleep disorders are in billions of dollars.

There are a lot of sleep disorders, the following are some of them:

Bruxism

This is where one involuntarily grinds the teeth during sleep.

Circadian Rhythm Disorder

Believe it or not, the body is actually set in its own twenty four hour rhythm. Scientists call this circadian rhythm. This rhythm influences the body's hormones.

These hormones play a significant role in one's wakefulness and sleep, body temperature as well as metabolic rate.

Jet lag

A condition, albeit a temporary one, where sleep patterns become out of sync due to rapid traveling across several time zones.

DSPS or delayed sleep phase syndrome

This is a type of sleeping disorder where the circadian rhythm is affected.

Narcolepsy

This is a condition where a person spontaneously and suddenly falls asleep unwillingly. Another characteristic of this sleeping disorder is one's overwhelming and excessive sleepiness during the day even if one has had adequate sleep during the night.

A narcoleptic suddenly and almost easily becomes sleepy, drowsy and fall asleep immediately usually during times, events and places that are inappropriate.

Parasomnias

This condition actually include various disruptive events related to sleep.

Night terror

This sleep disorder occurs abruptly thereby awakening the sleeper with a behavior that is consistent with that of terror.

Insomnia

Believe it or not, insomnia is actually not characterized by the quantity of hours a person sleeps but on just how long a person takes to get to sleep.

All individuals have their own unique way of finding satisfaction when it comes to sleep.

Insomnia sufferers may experience problems all throughout the day like tiredness, lethargy, concentration difficulty as well as irritability.

RED (Rapid Eye Movement Disorder)

This occurs when the sleeper acts out dramatic or violent actions during deep REM sleep.

Sleep Apnea

This is a disorder that is marked by the airway's obstruction during sleeping. This is usually accompanied by loud snoring.

Constantly loud snoring could actually indicate a disorder that could potentially be life-threatening.

One who is suffering from sleep apnea stops temporarily from breathing during sleep anywhere between ten seconds up until three minutes.

RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)

This is an urge that proves to be irresistible that makes the legs move during sleeping. RLS is actually a disorder in one's neurology.

Other terms that could describe this disorder include pulling, crawly, creepy, tingling, gnawing or itching.

Somnambulism (Sleep Walking)

This is where one engages on activities normally connected with being awake (such as dressing or eating). A somnambulist could walk without consciously knowing that he is doing such.

So how does one solve such sleeping disorders? Pretend that sleeping pills were not invented. The following are some of the more natural ways and means to solve sleeping disorders.

Set A Routine Sleep Pattern

Consistency is the key. It is necessary that a regular sleeping routine is established so your body gets used to a sleeping pattern.

In due time, the body learns on how to naturally fall asleep in manner that is easy and effortless.

To be able to do this, make sure you set a regular waking up time and a sleeping time. After which, sticking to this routine for two weeks is necessary. At first, your body may still find it difficult to adjust. Relax and try not to be discouraged.

Your long term goal is to achieve a regular sleeping habit.

Make Your Bed

Comfort is the key. Avoid lumps, bumps on your beddings and blankets. Keep your sleeping abode as clean as possible. Nothing is as irritating as well as stressful than waking up or sleeping in a bed that is filthy.

All in all, sleep disorders are usually symptoms of a deeper medical condition. As much as possible, try to be aware of your own health and well-being and put taking care of yourself as priority.

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