Types of Sleep Disorders Explained

10/10/2013

the different types of sleep disorders

Sleep disorders can be a very frustrating reality. It’s helpful to understand the various types of sleep disorders. They make a restful and complete night of sleep seem like a luxury and yet this can be so out of reach to those who suffer from them. The notion of falling asleep and staying asleep all night long can seem impossible to those who suffer from any type of sleep disorder. However you might find comfort in knowing that there is often much help that can be found.

Defining these sleep disorders help to shed light on what the problem really might be. It’s important to understand that there is a wide range of symptoms and types of sleep disorders. You might have characteristics that fall into several categories, but at least defining the issues and then working through them might bring some much needed help. So let’s get into the various types of sleep disorders and understand what makes them occur, as well as the most common symptoms of each.

Insomnia

This is a well known type of sleep disorder, but it can be one of the most frustrating in spite of its common occurrence. Within this sleep disorder the individual has a hard time falling asleep and remaining asleep. There are often periods of time each night where sleep evades the individual. Any sleep that they receive is fragmented, disruptive, and certainly not restful at all. Insomnia may occur every single night in extreme cases and may make even a couple of hours of sleep at a time seem impossible.

Sleep Apnea

This is often one of the most misunderstood types of sleep disorders because so little is known about it. In this type of sleep disorder the individual actually has short periods of time where they stop breathing. This can be just for a few seconds or longer, and is often confused with snoring. This may be due to sinus issues or the makeup of the nasal cavity. This is a sleep disorder that must be diagnosed and treated properly as a lapse in breathing is of course to be taken very seriously.

Narcolepsy

Because so little is really understood of this, narcolepsy can be a truly frustrating type of sleep disorder. The individual finds that they have excessive daytime sleepiness to the point that they may not be able to function properly. They may fall asleep in the middle of whatever they are doing. They are often unable to help their exhaustion and falling asleep even in the midst of conversation may be inevitable. Diagnosis is key to get proper treatment for this type of sleep disorder.

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