What exactly can be classified as sleeping disorders? 

Healthline states that ‘sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Whether they are caused by a health problem or by too much stress, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common in the United States’ 

The Sleep Foundation goes a step further into details – ‘ These disorders can contribute to other medical problems, and some may also be symptoms for underlying mental health issues.

In 1979, the American Sleep Disorders Association published the first classification system dedicated to sleep disorders. Our knowledge and understanding of sleep health have evolved over the past four decades. More than 100 specific sleep disorders have been identified’ 

The Cleveland Clinic sums it up by stating that ‘Sleep disorders are conditions that impair your sleep or prevent you from getting restful sleep and, as a result, can cause daytime sleepiness and other symptoms. Everyone can experience problems with sleep from time to time. However, you might have a sleep disorder if: 

1. You regularly experience difficulty sleeping.
2. You are often tired during the day even though you slept for at least seven hours the night before.
3. You have a reduced or impaired ability to perform regular daytime activities’

Types of sleeping disorders that you should definitely know about: 

Sleeping disorders can be of varying characteristics and nature. Some may be inherently severe and some may become severe or even fatalistic in nature caused by complications arising from the disorder itself. Some of the most common sleeping disorders can be classified as : 

• • Insomnia is the lack of ability to fall or remain asleep. 50% of the adult American population is known to suffer from one of the most common sleeping disorder
  • Sleep Apnea is characterized by a ‘pause’ in breathing while an individual is asleep. 
  • Parasomnias are abnormal behaviors ( sleepwalking, sleep talking, bed-wetting) during the course of sleeping. 
  • Narcolepsy occurs when one suddenly falls asleep while awake cause of extreme fatigue or tiredness

What are the most experienced signs and sleep disorder symptoms?

As research suggests, one can experience certain sleeping problems at least once or twice during their lifetime. But, how much is too much? When it comes to identifying a sleeping disorder, prevention is always better than a cure! If you are experiencing the following symptoms for more than 30 days continuously, it is time you schedule an appointment with your physician, who will suggest the best course of action: 

•  Disrupted sleep and sleeping pattern 

Trouble falling or staying asleep irrespective of you cutting down the caffeine and practicing sleep hygiene? Time, you look closely at it, as a symptom! 

•  Fatigue 

The most common symptom is daytime fatigue. Feeling tired like you just ran a marathon everyday needs immediate medical attention. 

•  Lack of focus and poor concentration

This one is the most commonly ignored symptom of a sleeping disorder. This very occurrence need not always because ‘you just don’t feel like it’ 

• Frequent napping or wanting to nap

Feel the need to take frequent naps on a regular basis? It might just be more serious than you think. 

• Inexplicable weight gain 

Inexplicable weight gain is said to be an underlying symptom of an already existing sleeping disorder. Recording and weight-watching is a must, especially if you are not sleeping fine and right for a lengthy period of time. 

• Irritability and anxiety 

Feel like you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed, every day? Chances are, these conditions are brought upon by an underlying sleeping disorder. 

• Unusual breathing patterns

Heavy breathing, obstructive breathing, breathing through the mouth can occur because of a very nascent sleeping disorder like sleep apnea. 

So, what causes a sleeping disorder and how can you overcome it? 

The best way to overcome a sleeping disorder is self-observation leading to an early diagnosis. Sleep disorder symptoms like chronic pain, underlying conditions/diseases, traumatic events, emotional and mental upheavals, stress, depression, and anxiety are the most common causes that end up paving the way for sleep disturbances and disorders. 

Lifestyle changes can also act as a catalyst for overcoming minor sleeping disorders. A regulated sleep schedule that determines the right pattern is necessary for that ‘good’ night’s sleep every day. Investing in a device that does the work for you, is also a tried and tested method to knowing more about how to ‘sleep effectively’ Sleep information related to self is of utmost importance in order to identify problems with sleeping and eventually finding a way to act on them.

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Insomnia has the ability to affect our physical as well as mental well-being. A good night’s sleep is of extreme importance as it helps boost the immune system of our body while conducting regular wear and tear. Our body is equipped in such a manner that it recuperates while we are sleeping. Thus, getting enough sleep is always stressed upon by physicians and researchers alike. 

As research suggests, there are two types of insomnia – primary and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is not caused by any other factor and is not linked to any underlying or obvious health condition. Whereas, secondary insomnia is often linked to conditions like heartburn, stress, diabetes, medication, or even substance abuse. According to the Sleep Foundation – ‘a more recent 2005 NSF Sleep in America poll of all adults revealed that women are more likely than men to have difficulty falling and staying asleep and to experience more daytime sleepiness at least a few nights/days a week. Research has shown that too little sleep results in daytime sleepiness, increased accidents, problems concentrating, poor performance on the job and in school, and possibly, increased sickness and weight gain’ 

Web MD points to the direction of ‘Sleep in America poll released by the NSF in March 2007, if you’re a single working woman you probably spend the least amount of time in bed — sometimes fewer than six hours a night. And if you’re like many women in the survey, you probably also wake up feeling tired at least a few days of every week’ 

So why and how do women suffer from insomnia more than men? 

Women often experience severe hormonal changes that often lead to side effects like insomnia. These hormonal changes are unique to women, thereby increasing the risk of suffering from insomnia than men: 

• Menstrual Cycle 

Yes, that time of the month. How many times have you experienced sleepless nights clutching your stomach and enduring cramps? Many women ignore the sleeplessness caused by periods as run-off-the-mill and end up with serious insomnia issues leading to severe health issues. Women’s health suggests that ‘this is especially common in women who have the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a more severe type of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)’ 

• Pregnancy 

Most women face insomnia during the third trimester due to intense leg cramps, frequent urination, and nausea. 

• Perimenopause and menopause 

Menopausal women experience hot flashes, night sweats that often lead to sleepless nights. Insomnia is often considered secondary during perimenopause as well as the beginning of early menopause. 

• Depression and Anxiety 

‘People with insomnia are 10 times more likely to have depression, and 17 times more likely to have anxiety. Researchers aren’t sure if mental health conditions lead to insomnia or if insomnia leads to mental health conditions. But not getting enough sleep may make mental health conditions worse’ states Women’s Health. 

So, do women need more sleep than men? 

The answer is a resounding YES. Research suggests that women need at least 20 more minutes of sleep than men. It is common knowledge that women tend to multitask more than men during the course of the day. Essentially, a person who indulges in elevated brain activity during the day requires more sleep at night. Insomnia can have lasting effects not just on the body of a woman, but also on her psyche. Restlessness, irritability, lack of focus, inability to make decisions, and so on stem from insomnia. 

Steps to improve sleeping habits

Early diagnosis of insomnia is one of the best ways to overcome this condition. Eating right, maintaining sound sleep hygiene and regular exercise are some of the basic habits that help achieve a good night’s sleep. 

• Cutting down on stimulating substances (caffeine, nicotine, alcohol)
• Maintaining a regulated sleep environment
• Keeping away from tech devices (phone, laptop) 
• Avoiding heavy, junk food-filled meals 
• Drinking warm water an hour before bedtime 

Using sleep improvement devices that not only regulate but monitor sleep.

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