Do you have a sleep disorder? What to do?
We all tend to lose sleep at one time or another. This could be due to stress or anxiety and is entirely natural. However, if you are having trouble sleeping on a frequent basis, you may have a sleep disorder or an underlying medical problem. Lack of good quality sleep can cause fatigue, grogginess, anxiety, and lead to a dysfunctional life
Sleep problems range from an inability to sleep, oversleeping in daytime, and an increase in body movement during sleep. It is important to know the facts about your condition in order to seek treatment or behavioral changes. If you have trouble sleeping, you need to check the following factors which may cause or contribute to your sleeping problem:
- Your alcohol intake
- Sleep interruption from loud noises
- An uncomfortable sleeping environment
- Consumption of coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- Your stress levels
- Any medical condition that may cause sleep problems
- Medications that interfere with sleep
The following are common sleep disorders which affect millions of people around the country.
Insomnia
This is an inability to fall asleep, to stay asleep or to enjoy quality sleep. It is the most common sleep disorder in the world. Persons with insomnia also wake up frequently at night and fail to go back to sleep, or wake up too early in the morning. Insomnia can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and mood swings. It can be treated by medication, although behavioral changes such as getting enough rest, reducing stress and alcohol intake can be helpful.
Narcolepsy
This is characterized by excessive sleep during daytime. It is caused by a neurological disorder which prevents the natural regulation of sleep by the brain. Narcolepsy can result in sudden sleep attacks when driving, walking, or talking. You may also experience loss of muscular control during laughter or when emotional. It can be treated by a variety of prescription medications. If you have problems waking up in the morning, use the Screaming Meanie loud alarm clock. With maximum sound levels of 120dB, it is loud enough to wake you without causing any hearing damage.
Sleep apnea
This is a sleep disorder in which a person stops breathing frequently during sleep. It is potentially serious and leads to gasping for air, restlessness during sleep and waking up repeatedly. Sleep apnea is caused by obstruction of the airways that result in snoring. It can also occur when the brain fails to instruct the body to breathe. This condition is treated by wearing a device that looks like a mask, which delivers air into the lungs during sleep. It is important to check on a person with sleep apnea to ensure that they are breathing normally. A loud alarm clock such as the Screaming Meanie can assist you with this.
Restless legs syndrome
This is a sleep disorder that results in an uncontrollable urge to move the arms or legs during sleep. It is caused by feelings of itchiness, discomfort or aches in the legs or arms when lying down or resting. It may also involve jerking or muscle cramps. The sensations get better when you massage, move or stretch the legs. Restless legs syndrome commonly occurs in the evenings and interferes with sleep. It can also happen during prolonged periods of sitting, such as in a movie or while driving.
Delayed sleep phase disorder
This problem is characterized by a delayed sleep cycle, where you go to sleep very late at night and wake up much later normal. People with this problem can fail to sleep until 3 or 4 am, but end up waking up very late. It usually affects teenagers, but adults can suffer from it as well. Treatment includes light therapy among others. The Screaming Meanie alarm clock can help you get out of bed in the morning as well.
Aging and sleep problems
Many people experience a change in sleep patterns as they grow older. Aging can cause loss of sleep and lead to frequent waking up at night. Although adults require less sleep as they grow older, it is important to maintain a quiet and comfortable environment to help you get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day.
Hearing loss and sleep disorders
Studies show that people with work place related hearing loss have problems with sleep. This is mainly due to tinnitus, which is a constant ringing noise in the ears caused by sustained exposure to loud noise. However, even persons with hearing loss but without tinnitus also experience insomnia.
How to improve a sleep disorder
There are many things that you can do to improve your sleep problem. Firstly, identify what problem you have by keeping a record of your sleep patterns. This will help the doctor diagnose the extent of the problem. Try to reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake, as these interfere with the quality and quantity of sleep. Above all, reduce stress and relax in a comfortable environment to encourage quality sleep.
However, if like everyone else you just can’t wake up every morning, get the Screaming Meanie loud alarm clock to ensure you are never late to work.