Sleep disorders: A brief overview
Why sleep is so important.
Sleep is a complex biological process that occurs while you are unconscious, but your brain and body functions are still active. When you sleep, both your brain and body are doing several important functions that help you stay healthy and functional.
When you don’t get enough quality sleep it can affect your physical and mental health; therefore, affecting your thinking and your activities of daily living.
So, how much sleep should we really be getting? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults should sleep seven or more hours each night for optimal health. Insufficient sleep (or short sleep) is defined as less than seven hours of sleep daily.
More than one-third of U.S. adults report insufficient sleep.
Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders
There are different causes for sleep disorders, including:
- Medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, nerve disorders and pain
- Mental illness, including depression and anxiety
- Medications
- Genetics
There are also some factors that can contribute to sleep problems, including:
- Caffeine and alcohol
- An irregular schedule, such as working the night shift or swing shifts
- Aging. As we age, we often get less sleep or spend less time in a deep, restful stage of sleep. We also become more easily awakened.
The symptoms of sleep disorders depend on the specific disorder.
Sleep disorders are diagnosed with a sleep study. The most common types of sleep studies monitor and record data about your body during a full night of sleep.
Other types of sleep studies may check how quickly you fall asleep during daytime naps or whether you are able to stay awake during the day.
While the treatments for sleep disorders depend on which disorder you have, healthy sleep habits and other lifestyle changes, such as healthy diet and exercise are important to your overall health and well-being.
