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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Sleep foundation states that ‘sleep apnea is a relatively common disorder in which people experience disrupted breathing while they are sleeping’

Sleep apnea is considered as the gateway and linked to life-threatening diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments, and even excessive weight gain and obesity. There are three kinds of sleep apnea. As presented by Mayo Clinic, here is a brief overview of all the three kinds of sleep apnea: 

• ‘Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax.
• Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea’

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most commonly occurring type of sleep disorder in young as well as old adults and can often be treated by an early,  simple diagnosis and a few visits to regulated sleep clinics. 

What are the most likely symptoms of Sleep Apnea? 

Imagine not breathing for even a second unknowingly. Quite scary isn’t it? But what is even scarier is the way sleep apnea symptoms go unnoticed and eventually undiagnosed. Hereditary, physiological as well as lots of daily lifestyle factors contribute to the cause of sleep apnea. 

The Mayo clinic states the following symptoms to be indicative of sleep apnea;  

‘The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

• Loud snoring
• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Awakening with a dry mouth
• Morning headache
• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
• Difficulty paying attention while awake
• Irritability

In case you are aware of the fact that you do face these symptoms on a daily basis including, excessive weight gain – it is time to consult your primary physician who can then affirm the need for a diagnosis and subsequently the right treatment. Early on diagnosis is the best way to prevent the most harmful physiological effects of sleep apnea. 

Is Sleep Apnea Hereditary? 

Research shows that 40% of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is attributed to our genetic makeup. When it comes to central sleep apnea, some of the underlying causes like heart trouble are considered to be borne out of hereditary factors. 

According to Healthline,  ‘health and lifestyle factors have the biggest effect on whether or not you may develop sleep apnea. But there may also be genetic causes for both central and obstructive sleep apnea.It’s important to note that obstructive sleep apnea is much more likely to have underlying genetic causes than central sleep apnea.

The more relatives you have with obstructive sleep apnea, the more likely you are to develop the condition as well’ 

If you observe sleep apnea symptoms cropping up in your daily lifestyle on a regular basis,  despite all the measures taken by you to lead a hale and hearty life, it is time to book a consultation as soon as possible! Based on the severity and recurrence of the symptoms, the healthcare provider shall recommend the course of action to reach an accurate diagnosis. A history of sleep is usually requested and if required,  monitored at sleep clinics for further assistance and thorough guidance. 

 Is it time to seek a consultation for you? Let’s find out if you have sleep apnea, take this quiz! 

1. Do you snore LOUDLY on a regular basis? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Yes, I have been told. 

2. Has anyone noticed you gasping for breath in your sleep at least 2-3 times in a week? 

• Yes 
• Sometimes 
• Just once or twice 

3. Do you have an excessively dry mouth as soon as you wake up? 

• Yes 
• No 
• Sometimes 

4. Do you have a family history of Obstructive Sleep Apnea? 

• Yes 
• No 
• I am not aware 

5. Are you being treated for hypertension/ high blood pressure? 

• Yes 
• No 

6. Do you fall asleep during work hours out of fatigue? 

• Yes 
• No 

7. Are you prone to high irritability during waking hours? 

• Yes 
• Frequently
• Yes, but due to external factors 

8. Do you smoke cigarettes? 

• 1-3 in a day 
• 4-8  in a day 
• 10 plus in a day 
• Yes, occasionally 

9. Have you fallen asleep while driving or any related activity? 

• Yes, a couple of times 
• Never happened 
• I am not aware 

10. Are you experiencing and being treated for any heart trouble? 

• Yes 
• No

If the majority of the answers chosen by you indicate a YES, then it is time to swing into action and consult your primary physician at the earliest in order to start the process of identifying symptoms and avail an early diagnosis. 

 In case of the answers chosen by you are ‘sometimes, frequently, not aware’ it is time to take a step back,  re-evaluate your lifestyle choices and pick a self-care path that not only works but also sustains a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Consult your primary physician if sleep-related problems keep cropping up. 

Monitoring sleeping habits/schedules and following regulated sleep hygiene is the key to tackle most of the physical, mental health complications that arise from today’s erratic, unpredictable lifestyles. 

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