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Sometimes we spend a couple of days without being able to sleep. Other times we can spend weeks or even months with the same problem. Sleep disorders are some of the most underestimated health problemas that affect many people. Here are some of them.

As you read, you will realize that there are many "sleeping habits" that are actually considered to be sleep disorders by researchers and doctors. If you kick during the night or have bad dreams constantly, you might be also suffering from a sleep problem. 

Jet-lag, nightmares and boxing sessions while you sleep

The fifth group comprises sleep disorders related to disturbances in circadian rhythms.

These ones sound very complicated but occur basically when you can not sleep when you need to sleep or when you are required to do it. Your sleep rhythms do not coincide with the ones of the people in general.

As weird as this sounds, this problem is real and a very good example of it is the jet-lag. When you travel and change time zones, you face sleepiness during the day and lack of sleep during the night, because your circadian rhythms have not adapted yet to the new time zone.

Night walking, talking o screaming while being asleep or even having hallucinations are classified as parasomnias. 

Parasomnias are basically undesirable physical or experiential events that occur during sleep.

When we fall asleep, the autonomic central nervous system switches off, but sometimes it can get suddenly reactivated, resulting in these types of problems, which manifest as movements, perceptions, emotions and dreaming.

There are also sleep disorders related to movement disturbance.

Patients with these problems suffer from restless legs syndrome, which is characterized by a painful and irresistible urge to move their legs; other patients move both their arms and legs during sleep in a repetitive way and can even cause harm themselves if they are too violent.

Cramps and bruxism, which is when you clench your teeth while you sleep, are also considered in this category.

Other facts about sleep disorders

Many sleep disorders are related to other mental diseases, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and schizophrenia, just to name a few.

Also, sleep disorders can vary depending on the age of the patient. For example, old people, due to the normal aging process, tend to suffer from these illnesses, especially insomnia and alteration of their circadian rhythms.It is more common in children on the other hand, to see disorders such as night enuresis, which consists in the inability to control urination while they sleep.
 
Treatment of sleep disorders depends on the type of disorder and its duration. 
Sometimes, getting rid of the stressor that is causing problems during sleep is the easiest alternative. However, when the problem is related to other illnesses or has no apparent reason, different types of medications are used for the treatment, including sedating and hypnotic agents and antidepressants.

There are other alternatives to treat sleep disorders. Meditation and yoga, for example, can help release stress and have a better sleep. Exercise in general and a balanced diet also promote a healthy sleep. And of course, having a good pillow and mattress can also make the difference.

If you believe you have a sleep disorder it is advisable for you to consult a specialist. Almost 80% of the population suffer from transient insomnia, but most of the times it goes untreated, affecting the life of the patient in every aspect and making him or her prone to develop other health problems. 

  • LEGER, D., POURSAIN, B., NEUBAUER, D. & UCHIYAMA, M. 2008. An international survey of sleeping problems in the general population. Curr Med Res Opin, 24, 307-17
  • PAGEL, J. F. & PARNES, B. L. 2001. Medications for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders: An Overview. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry, 3, 118-125
  • THORPY, M. J. 2012. Classification of sleep disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 9, 687-701.
  • Photo by shutterstock.com
  • Photo courtesy of Alyssa L. Miller by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/alyssafilmmaker/3250804881

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