Sleep Disorders: Types, Products and Prevention

Sleep disorders reduce the quality of life. Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and daytime sleepiness are the companions of a sleep-deprived person. In this article, we will look at why sleep is disturbed and what to do about it.

Typically, sleep disorders include difficulty falling asleep, interrupted light sleep, or waking up too early. These signs are combined into the concept of “insomnia”. According to statistics, insomnia requiring treatment is detected in 9–15% of people around the world. Women suffer from insomnia 1.5 times more often than men, and older people — more often than young people (sleep disorders are observed in 32.9% of people 60–94 years old). In addition, there are specific sleep disorders, such as excessive daytime sleepiness or sleep-wake disorders, which are experienced by slightly fewer people.

Types of sleep disorders

There are several classifications of sleep disorders.

Types of sleep disorders according to the cause of the disorder:

primary insomnia — not associated with any physical or mental ill-being;
secondary insomnia — develops against the background of various diseases or unfavorable environmental conditions.

Types of sleep disorders according to the nature of the disorder:

Disorders of falling asleep and maintaining sleep: insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or OSA (snoring and sleep apnea, which affect the quality of sleep); movement disorders during sleep, for example restless legs syndrome (an obsessive need to move the legs when falling asleep, which develops with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, against the background of other diseases or for no apparent reason).
Pathological daytime sleepiness, or hypersomnia: with such sleep disorders, patients complain of severe daytime sleepiness, despite a full night’s sleep. The most common disorders of this type are narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. Narcolepsy is a disease of the nervous system in which the patient experiences bouts of irresistible drowsiness; he may fall asleep suddenly, lose muscle tone without losing consciousness, or hallucinate when falling asleep or waking up. Idiopathic hypersomnia is a neurological disorder in which the patient experiences excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep at night, and may also suffer from headaches and fainting.
Disturbance of the circadian rhythm, that is, the sleep-wake cycle: with this sleep disorder, a person cannot fall asleep at night, but at the same time can fall asleep without problems during the day due to a malfunction of the biological clock. This happens, for example, during long-distance flights with a change in time zones (jet lag) or when working the night shift.
Disorders associated with sleep, changes in its phases or night awakenings (parasomnias). This type of disorder includes nightmares, sleepwalking (somnambulism), teeth grinding during sleep (bruxism) and some other sleep disorders.

Treatment of insomnia and diseases accompanied by sleep disorders

Different sleep disorders are treated differently.

Chronic insomnia is typically treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. This method of psychotherapy allows you to detect erroneous attitudes about sleep in the patient and correct them, and also helps him change his usual behavior. The patient will most likely be advised to fill out a sleep diary to understand how to fall asleep if they have insomnia.

Sleeping pills may also be prescribed for short periods of time to treat insomnia. However, they can be addictive. Upon awakening, a patient taking a sleeping pill may experience lethargy, drowsiness, and difficulty coordinating and concentrating. In addition, these drugs are not recommended for people suffering from sleep-disordered breathing. Therefore, such medications are prescribed for no more than 3–4 weeks and only in the dosage determined by the doctor. They are released strictly according to prescription.

To treat insomnia, drugs from the benzodiazepine group are used they cause a sedative effect and are sold exclusively by prescription; the release form is drops, tablets or capsules.

Apnea

To treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), orthodontic mouthguards are used, which are worn while sleeping. They allow the lower jaw to move forward a few millimeters to make breathing easier. Another device that can help a patient with this syndrome is stickers on the nasal passages. People with OSA are also advised to stop smoking and drinking alcohol, lose weight and not sleep in a supine position (the risk of breathing problems increases). Sometimes treatment of OSA is carried out using the method of non-invasive ventilation of the lungs in the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): air under pressure is continuously supplied to the patient in a special sealed mask. Thanks to the airflow, the airways do not close, as usual with OSA, and oxygen can easily enter the body.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a symptom in which a person makes involuntary movements of their legs during sleep. A constant movement lowers the quality of night’s rest. The condition may be worsened by pain, numbness, burning, and general nervousness. To treat restless legs syndrome, anticonvulsants, B vitamins, muscle relaxants, metabolic agents, magnesium and iron supplements are usually prescribed.

Disturbance of the circadian rhythm

If the “sleep-wake” cycle is disrupted, it is recommended to normalize the work and rest schedule, the time of physical activity and food intake. If it’s possible, refuse a shift work schedule or frequent flights, and also regulate artificial lighting in the room.

To shift the sleep-wake cycle to an earlier time, you need to use bright light when waking up, and in the evening reduce the light intensity. If you need to shift this cycle to a later time, then make the light brighter in the evening.

Your doctor may also prescribe melatonin pills, with recommended dosage.

If a patient suffers from nightmares, a consultation with a psychologist is recommended. Sometimes your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, such as Generic Paxil (Paroxetine), which is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety; Generic Remeron (Mirtazapine) — a tetracyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorder; Generic Elavil (Amitriptyline) is a tricyclic antidepressant to treat panic attacks, depression, and ongoing pain.

Prevention of sleep disorders

To prevent sleep disorders, it is important to follow simple recommendations.

Useful habits for healthy sleep:

maintain a daily routine;
go to bed and get up at the same time;
do not disrupt the sleep-wake cycle: sleep at night, stay awake during the day;
sleep at least 7 hours a day at night;
quit smoking and alcohol;
exercise regularly, but finish no later than 2–3 hours before your planned bedtime;
maintain a healthy weight;
treat respiratory diseases and other diseases in a timely manner.

Disclaimer: The information presented on the page should not be used for self-medication or self-diagnosis. If you suspect the presence of a disease, you must seek help from a qualified specialist. Only your attending physician can diagnose and prescribe treatment.