It's a lot of fun, considering how often we fought bedtimes as kids. When we reach adulthood, the real worth of a night of rest is realised. It is particularly true for people suffering from insomnia disorder, a medical condition that causes irregular sleep patterns. "Disturbances in establishing sleep and sustaining sleep, or experiencing a sleep that is not restorative are all a part of the sleep disorder referred to as insomnia," says Carleara Weiss, Ph.D.
1. There are more than 80 Sleep Disorders Differently Known.
It's possible to only learn about the most well-known kinds, like insomnia. However, there are numerous other areas where it originated, according to Christine Horvat Davey, Ph.D., who is a specialist in sleep hygiene and serves as an educator in the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Based on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, there are six main types of sleeping disorders. Insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders. Central hypersomnolence disorders; circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders; parasomnias; and sleep-related motion disorders. Pick your poison!
2. Sleep Disorders Go Undiagnosed
The facts are that 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from an insomnia disorder. However, while many will overlook obvious indications of heart attacks and strokes, sleep disorders are more difficult to spot. If left untreated, they can cause irreparable harm for your overall health. "Most sufferers' symptoms are left untreated for years and months. While their mental and physical wellbeing, heart and immune system are affected due to insufficient Sleep," says Weiss. "Sleep is a vital aspect of our health. We must pay more attention to the quality of our Sleep in order to keep the health of our bodies and prolong our life ."
3. Sleep Deprivation Is Serious Stuff
There's a reason why sleep lack has been employed as a method of torture for centuries. Sleep is a fundamental function that your body cannot do for long. "Sleeping in the dark may be more dangerous than food deprivation," claims Lauri Leadley, CCSH Certified Clinical Sleep Specialist and owner and director of the Valley Sleep Center in Phoenix, AZ. "After many days of sleeping in a slumber and exhaustion, you'll almost be incapable of functioning, while when you fast for one week, you could be hungry and weak, but otherwise, you'll have a great ."
4. Women are Disproportionately at Risk
If women in your circle of relatives and friends complain of sleepless nights more than males, this could be because women are at 40% higher risk of sleepiness. Studies have shown that insomnia is a worldwide issue that hormone fluctuations can cause. Women, for instance, have more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep during the days before their menstrual cycle. The third trimester of pregnancy may adversely affect Sleep Menopausal, and perimenopausal symptoms may cause sweaty nights and hot flashes, which can affect Sleep.
5. Sleeping Habits and Chronic Disease are intertwined.
Many factors can contribute to a sleep disorder, including seemingly insignificant things like fluctuations in weight levels or digestive problems. However, it's crucial to identify undiagnosed medical conditions that could cause sleep problems, including an overactive thyroid and heart disease. On the other hand, sleep deprivation can lead to chronic diseases and has been connected to Type 2 Diabetes, being overweight, and depression. For instance, those with sleeping disorders have a 10x higher chance of being depressed and 17x more likely to be anxious.
6. Sleeping too much can harm your Brain.
Neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, could affect sleep-controlling regions within the Brain, a study suggests. In addition, evidence is mounting that inadequate Sleep can accelerate the development of these illnesses. For instance, sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to an increased risk of developing or causing the development of dementia. The Michigan Medical Sleep Disorders Centers analysed more than 50,000 older adults diagnosed with OSA (which results in the airway in the upper part of the body collapsing throughout the night). Those who utilised Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices had a lower chance of developing Alzheimer's and dementia.
7. Insomnia Can Be Fatal
But don't be concerned; you're not likely to get it! A rare genetic disorder called fatal familial Sleep (FFI) may eventually cause death. The National Organization reports for Rare Disorders state that a progressive sleep disorder is the most prominent sign of FFI. The constant lack of Sleep causes mental and physical deterioration. "This can cause hallucinations and confusion, and delirium states that eventually lead to a coma and even dying," explains Leadley. There is currently no cure for FFI, and there are no standard treatment regimens. If you're worried, consult your doctor. But be aware that the odds of being diagnosed with FFI are lower than one per million.
8. Insomnia Can Be Hereditary
Curly hair, blue eyes, and a failure to fall asleep: You could be in a position to add the diagnosis of sleeplessness to the list of reasons to blame your parents. According to research published in Molecular Psychiatry, insomnia may be related to genetic differences in chromosomes 7 and 9. Additionally, the Journal of Sleep research found that "individuals who suffer from current or previous insomnia were much more likely to be able to identify an ancestry-based history of insomnia than those who did not experience insomnia before."
9. The Exploding Head Disorder Can Be a Real Sleep Disorder
The name could seem like something straight out of a sci-fi film; however, the phenomenon of exploding heads is real. "It is characterised by an ominous sound that you think you hear prior to falling asleep," says Leadley. "It could be like an explosion or gunshot." The precise cause is still unclear, but the pounding sound can cause a person to drift off to Sleep difficult for certain individuals. If you've had symptoms similar to these, you can take medication that could aid you.
