Do You Suffer From a Sleep Disorder?

(MS) -- Sleep: We all need it, want it, crave it, but never seem to get enough of it. Most sleep researchers say that the average number of hours a person needs each day is between 71/2 to 81/2. Yet, most of us fall short of that number and survive on much less, which can make us tired, cranky and irritable. Other, more serious consequences related to lack of sleep include problems with concentration and memory, behavioral, learning or social issues, frequent infections, blurred vision, and the inability to tolerate stress.

What’s the culprit for lack of sleep? The most common and obvious reason is living a hectic lifestyle. Most of us are so overworked and over-scheduled these days that there are never enough hours in the day for unwinding, much less sleeping. Other reasons range from bringing home a new baby, to getting in that last workout before the gym closes, to drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages before bedtime. And let’s not forget about the stressful events or crises we endure in our lives -- the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a divorce, etc. -- which are common causes of insomnia, a type of sleep disorder. Whatever your reasons are for not getting in your full eight hours, the fact remains that you are sleep deprived, and sleep deprivation can cause both a mental and physical drain on the body if left unaddressed.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you feel you aren’t getting enough sleep and have any of the aforementioned symptoms, keep a log that contains signs and symptoms and their duration, situations affecting your sleep, medications you are taking, your diet, etc. See your doctor if symptoms persist -- you may have a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders are often overlooked because they have common symptoms -- snoring, waking up feeling groggy, sweaty or with a headache -- that can easily be explained by other possible factors. If left unchecked and untreated, sleep disorders can cause serious health problems. Treatments for sleep disorders vary but can include psychological counseling as well as medication.

TYPES OF SLEEP DISORDERS

To familiarize yourself with what constitutes a sleep disorder, here is a rundown of the more common ones and their symptoms, courtesy of Sleepnet.com, an online informational resource on sleeping.

* Sleep Apnea: a breathing disorder during sleep due to lack of oxygen. Accompanied by loud snoring, it consists of brief periods throughout the night when breathing actually stops. There are two types: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (the most common) is due to an obstruction in the throat during sleep. Bed partners notice pauses of approximately 10 to 60 seconds between loud snores.

Central Sleep Apnea is caused by a delay in the signal from the brain to the lungs. With both obstructive and central sleep apnea, you must wake up briefly to breathe, sometimes hundreds of times during the night. Usually, there is no memory of these brief awakenings.

* Insomnia: having difficulty falling asleep, having no problem falling asleep but difficulty staying asleep, or waking up too early. There are three basic types: Transient insomnia (lasting for a few nights); Short-term insomnia (two to four weeks of poor sleep); and Chronic insomnia (poor sleep that happens most nights and last a month or longer). Transient and short-term insomnia generally occur in people who are temporarily experiencing stress, environmental noise, extreme temperature changes, sleep schedule problems such as those due to jet lag, and medication side effects.

Chronic insomnia is more complex and often results from a combination of factors, including underlying physical or mental disorders. One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia is depression. However, chronic insomnia may also be due to behavioral factors, including the misuse of caffeine, alcohol, or other substances; disrupted sleep/wake cycles; and chronic stress.

* Narcolepsy: a chronic disorder affecting the brain where regulation of sleep and wakefulness takes place, causing an irresistible need to sleep. Narcoleptics can fall asleep while at work, talking, or driving a car. These “sleep attacks” can last from 30 seconds to more than 30 minutes. Narcolepsy is caused by hereditary along with some environmental factors.

* Sleep Bruxism (nocturnal bruxism): a movement disorder characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep which may cause abnormal wear of the teeth.

* Hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness): an excessively deep or prolonged major sleep period that may be associated with difficulty in waking believed to be caused by the central nervous system. Symptoms include long sleep periods, excessive sleepiness or excessively deep sleep.

* Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): a discomfort (crawling, tingling or prickling sensation) of the legs, which is relieved by movement or stimulation of the legs. Symptoms occur when riding in a car, watching TV, reading, sitting (in a movie theater for example), or by periods of inactivity -- like when lying in bed trying to fall asleep.