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Sleep Disturbances
Sleep disturbances refer to any issues that negatively affect your ability to get enough quality sleep on a regular basis. These can include:
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. You may have trouble falling asleep at night or wake up frequently during the night.
- Sleep Apnea: Brief pauses in breathing during sleep, often associated with loud snoring. These breathing interruptions can prevent you from getting enough quality sleep.
- Periodic Limb Movements: Involuntary muscle movements or twitches during sleep, often in your legs, that lead to interrupted sleep.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: An uncomfortable "crawling" sensation in your legs that gets worse at night. It makes it difficult to relax enough to fall asleep.
- Narcolepsy: A chronic neurological problem where people fall asleep suddenly and uncontrollably during the day. It often comes with hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
What Causes Sleep Disorders? There are often multiple contributing factors, including stress, anxiety or depression, certain medications, underlying health issues and chronic pain, consumption of alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine close to bedtime, and inconsistent sleep schedules or lack of physical activity during the day.
How Are Sleep Disturbances Diagnosed? Your doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, sleep habits, and in some cases may refer you for a sleep study.
What Are Common Treatment Options? Treatments depend on the type and cause of sleep issues:
- Improving "sleep hygiene" with consistent bedtimes, avoiding screen time before bed, limiting caffeine/alcohol, and keeping your bedroom quiet and cool.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address thoughts/behaviors interfering with sleep.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Medications in some cases.
- Devices and breathing treatments for conditions like sleep apnea.
- Cutting out daytime naps and excessive time in bed to consolidate sleep drive.
The Bottom Line: Many people will experience a sleep disorder at some point. Addressing the underlying causes with improved sleep habits, medical care, or targeted treatment can help restore healthy, restorative sleep. Check with a doctor at Renew Health Clinic if you regularly have unrefreshing sleep or daytime fatigue.