Types of Sleep Disorder Explained

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 • by Dr. Gregory Brown

Do you have abnormal sleep habits, but don’t know the reason why? There are a variety of types of sleep disorder which affect untold numbers of people around the world. Admitting that you need professional help for your sleeping problem is an important first step in finding a solution.

Understanding the kind of sleep disorder you are suffering from is the beginning to finding a cure for your type of sleeplessness. In consultation with a health care professional, you will be able to diagnose what kind of sleep disorder you are suffering from and seek a cure. Normal sleep cycles can be restored if the proper treatment is found, which often includes changes in habits and lifestyle.

Types of Sleep Disorder

If you sleep is marked by heavy snoring and gasping for air, along with occasional snorting, then you may have sleep apnea. Usually this condition is noticed by your husband or wife in bed next to you.

Other symptoms of sleep apnea are waking up with a headache, feeling like you haven’t slept well, and general sleepiness during the day. The sleep apnea CPAP medical device is sometimes used, which involves wearing a special mask at night that pumps out pressurized air.

On the other hand, if you find it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, you may have the sleep disorder insomnia. Other insomnia symptoms are waking up very early and being fatigued and tired all the time. Insomnia is often a warning sign of a more serious physical or psychological problem.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome, known as RLS, causes a person to move their legs periodically when you they lying down. RLS also manifests itself with a feeling of itchy skin or insects crawling on the legs. People with the sleep disorder RLS often kick their legs while asleep and don’t realize it.

People suffering from restless leg have difficulties in falling asleep because of this leg movement. It also creates obvious problems if they are sleeping in the same bed with another person.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is characterized by falling asleep suddenly without warning. People with this “sleeping sickness” feel tired all the time and want to take naps during the day. Narcolepsy stories are filled with accounts of embarrassing situations caused by dozing off suddenly.

Commonly-experienced narcolepsy symptoms are a loss of muscle control despite having emotional awareness while awake. Many people also experience temporary paralysis while asleep. Colorful and vivid dreams often happen during these short naps, followed at times by a heavy and deep sleep.

Sleep Clinics

If you suspect that you may suffer from one of the above types of sleep disorder, then consult with a medical doctor or sleep clinic. It can be dangerous to doze off during normal activities like driving a car, so don’t ignore this potentially serious medical condition.

Sleep clinics which specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders are often recommended for people whom natural sleep cures have failed. Sleep centers have experienced staff that will analyze and recommend solutions to your unique circumstances which make it hard to fall asleep.