Is it a sleep disorder?

Do you...

• React relatively slow than usual?
• Feel irritable or sleepy during the day?
• Keep fall asleep or feel very tired while driving?
• Have difficulty on concentrating?
• Often get told by others that you look very tired?
• Having trouble controlling your emotions?
• Feel like you need to take a nap almost every day?
• Require caffeinated beverages to keep yourself going?
• Have difficulty staying awake when sitting still, or while watching television or reading?

I Can't Sleep!!

If you answered “yes” to any of the previous questions, then you may have a sleep disorder.

Sleeping Disorder

Most of us have experienced trouble sleeping at one time or another. This is normal and usually temporary, due to stress or other outside factors. But if sleep problems are a regular occurrence and interfere with your daily life, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders cause more than just sleepiness. The lack of quality sleep can have a negative impact on your energy, emotional balance, and health. If you’re experiencing sleeping problems, learn about the symptoms of common sleep disorders, what you can do to help yourself, and when to see a doctor.

Understanding sleep disorders and sleeping problems

Sleep can often be a barometer of your overall health. In many cases, people in good health tend to sleep well, whereas those suffering from repeated sleeping problems might have an underlying medical or mental health problem, be it minor or serious. Sleeping well is essential to your physical health and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, even minimal sleep loss can take a toll on your mood, energy, efficiency, and ability to handle stress. Ignoring sleep problems and disorders can lead to poor health, accidents, impaired job performance, and relationship stress. If you want to feel your best, stay healthy, and perform up to your potential, sleep is a necessity, not a luxury.

Trouble Sleeping?

It’s not normal to feel sleepy during the day, to have problems getting to sleep at night, or to wake up feeling exhausted. But even if you've struggled with sleep problems for so long that it seems normal, you can still learn to sleep better. You can start by tracking your symptoms and sleep patterns, and then making healthy changes to your daytime habits and bedtime routine. If self-help doesn't do the trick, you can turn to sleep specialists who are trained in sleep medicine. Together, you can identify the underlying causes of your sleeping problem and find ways to improve your sleep and quality of life.

Insomnia: The most common type of sleep disorder

Insomnia, the inability to get the amount of sleep you need to wake up feeling rested and refreshed, is the most common sleep complaint. Insomnia is often a symptom of another problem, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or an underlying health condition. It can also be caused by lifestyle choices, including the medications you take, lack of exercise, jet lag, or even the amount of coffee you drink.

Common signs and symptoms of insomnia include:

• Difficulty falling asleep at night or getting back to sleep after waking during the night
• Waking up frequently during the night
• Your sleep feels light, fragmented, or exhausting
• You need to take something (sleeping pills, nightcap, supplements) in order to get to sleep
• Sleepiness and low energy during the day

Whatever the cause of your insomnia, being mindful of your sleep habits and learning to relax will help you sleep better and feel better. The good news is that most cases of insomnia can be cured with lifestyle changes you can make on your own—without relying on sleep specialists or turning to prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pills.

Do sleeping pills help sleep disorders and sleeping problems?

When taken for a brief period of time and under the supervision of your doctor, sleeping pills may help your sleeping problems. However, they are just a temporary solution. Insomnia can’t be cured with sleeping pills. In fact, sleeping pills can often make insomnia worse in the long run.

In general, sleeping pills and sleep medications are most effective when used sparingly for short-term situations, such as traveling across many time zones or recovering from a medical procedure. If medications are used over the long term, they are best used “as needed” instead of on a daily basis to avoid dependence and tolerance.

When to take Sleeping Pills?

Safety guidelines for sleeping pills

• Only take a sleeping pill when you will have enough time to get a full seven to eight hours of sleep. Otherwise, you may be drowsy the next day.
• Read the package insert that comes with your medication. Pay careful attention to the potential side effects, dosage instructions, and list of food and substances to avoid.
• Never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. Alcohol disrupts sleep and can interact dangerously with sleep medications.
• Never drive a car or operate machinery after taking a sleeping pill, especially when you first start taking a new sleep aid, as you may not know how it will affect you.
• When to call a doctor about sleep disorders

If you’ve tried a variety of self-help sleep remedies without success, schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist or ask your family doctor for a referral to a sleep clinic, especially if:

• Your main sleep problem is daytime sleepiness and self-help hasn’t improved your symptoms.
• You or your bed partner gasps, chokes, or stops breathing during sleep.
• You sometimes fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while talking, walking, or eating.

At your appointment, be prepared with information about your sleep patterns and provide the doctor with as much supporting information as possible, including information from your sleep diary.

What to expect at a sleep clinic or center

Sleep Clinic

If your physician refers you to a sleep center, a specialist will observe your sleep patterns, brain waves, heart rate, rapid eye movements and more using monitoring devices attached to your body. While sleeping with a bunch of wires attached to you might seem difficult, most patients find they get used to it quickly.

The sleep specialist will analyze the results from your sleep study and design a treatment program if necessary. A sleep center can also provide you with equipment to monitor your activities (awake and asleep) at home.

Wish you have a nice sleep!

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