Sleeping Disorders
 Restless Nights and Irritable Days

   A sleep disorder can wreak havoc in a person’s life if it goes untreated. From sleep apnea, to snoring, to anxiety disorders, these conditions can disrupt your much needed recharge to the point that you can't function in your daily life. Sleep disorders can occur in people of all ages. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that their health problems are directly connected to a sleep disorder.

   There are over one hundred different types of sleep disorders that can be classified into four categories. Insomnias include difficulty falling and staying asleep.

   Narcolepsy and sleep apnea are examples of sleep disorders that prevent people from staying awake, narcolepsy being very dangerous because of sudden sleep episodes.

   People suffering from jet lag or those who have trouble sleeping because of shift work are having a disturbance in their sleep/wake cycle. People who experience sleepwalking or enuresis are experiencing sleep interruptions associated with behavioral problems.

   Any condition in which your sleep doesn't follow the typical sleep phase cycle or doesn't stay in each cycle for a sufficient period of time is a disruptive sleep disorder, some easier to deal with than others.

   Those who have disrupted sleep tend to not experience "restorative sleep." Sleep deprivation can make you irritable, tired, have less focus, a lower frustration level, and can lead to exhibiting behavior that's more emotional and impulsive understandably.

   One dangerous fact about sleeping disorders is that they weaken the immune system and make us more susceptible to other diseases like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold.

   It is not uncommon for people who suffer from sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia to also suffer from other problems including diabetes, asthma or a second sleep disorder.

  When gaining knowledge and insight about sleep disorders, you will find that no one is immune. Many elderly people suffer from insomnia and often have to be put on medication for the condition. Some of the common sleep disorders that affect children include night terrors, nightmares and bedwetting.

   Nearly seventy percent of women report that they suffer from some type of sleep disorder. Similarly, over forty percent of women admit that daytime sleepiness disrupts their daily activities. Although menopausal and pregnant women are far more likely to suffer from a sleep disorder, women are two times more likely than men to experience a malady of this kind.

   Sleepless or restless nights can result in more than just daytime sleepiness, so it's crucial to seek medical attention if you aren't sleeping for an extended period of time. Your doctor can provide a wealth of treatment options or refer you to organizations that know more about sleep disorders.

   No matter which course of treatment you choose, your quality of life should improve once you start getting some quality shut eye.