Sleep Disorders Signs and symptoms

There are two types of sleep: one is called REM sleep and the other is Non-REM sleep. Non-REM sleep has four stages of sleep. Stage 1 sleep is the lightest, while stage 4 is the deepest.  While sleeping you cycle through these types and stages of sleep. But if your sleep is repeatedly interrupted and you cannot cycle normally, you may feel tired, fatigued,  have trouble concentrating and attention problems when awake.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders are characterized by trouble getting to sleep, sleeping through the night, waking up too early or having a hard time waking up.  

 Most people sleep at night; not only because of the average person’s work time but also because of our natural sleep and alertness rhythms, which are driven by an internal clock.

This is a small part of the brain in the hypothalamus.  It is above the nerves leaving the back of our eyes. Light and exercise can change the clock and can move it forward or backward. Abnormalities related to this clock are called Circadian Rhythm Disorders.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders include adjustments to shift work, delayed sleep phase syndrome ( falling asleep and waking up too late) and advanced sleep phase syndrome ( falling asleep and waking up too early).

Many adults snore.  Snoring can be a problem simply because of the noise it causes.  It may also be a more serious sleep problem called apnea.  Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked, interrupting regular breathing for short periods of time this wakes you up. It can cause severe daytime sleepiness.  If left untreated, severe sleep apnea may be associated with high blood pressure and the risk of stroke, or a heart attack.

Women often experience sleepless nights and daytime tiredness during their pregnancy. During the first trimester frequent urination and morning sickness may disrupt sleep. Later in pregnancy, vivid dreams and physical discomfort may prevent deep sleep. After delivery, the baby's care or the mother's postpartum depression may interrupt sleep.

People who have insomnia don't feel as if they get enough sleep.  They may have trouble falling asleep or may wake up frequently during the night or early in the morning.   If insomnia affects your daytime activities it is a problem.  Insomnia has many possible causes, including stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, circadian rhythm disorders, and taking medication.

When the lack of sleep is distressing and disrupts daily activities it is time to seek professional help.  The causes of sleep disorders are many but most are treatable.  The underlying cause of a sleep disorder needs to be discovered before any treatment, medications, therapy for a psychological condition, can be started.  A complete physical exam is necessary to find the cause of the sleep disorder.