A sleep disorder is a medical problem that in some way affects the way we sleep.
There are many different sleep disorders out there which can impact sleep in many different ways.
In this series I have highlighted some of the most common sleep disorders people face and what can be done to help treat and prevent them.
Obstructive sleep apnea (spelt apnoea in the UK) is a sleep disorder with some pretty nasty side effects. It’s also one that’s becoming increasingly common.
Sleep apnea occurs when the airway gets blocked during sleep as your throat muscles relax, preventing you from breathing. The body wakes you up to get your throat muscles working to clear the airway so you can once again breathe.
Here we’ll discover the causes, symptoms and then take a look at the treatments for Sleep Apnea and methods you can use to stop it from occurring.
Sleepwalking, also known as Somnambulism, is a strange but surprisingly common sleep disorder.
It mainly occurs in childhood, with 20 – 40% of children experiencing it occasionally and 3 – 4% experiencing it often.
While most people grow out of it by the time they reach their teenage years, for some it can continue into adulthood.
This article starts with the effects, causes and what people can do when they sleepwalker. The article then provides methods that can help treat and prevent sleepwalking and its effects.
Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that can occur in both children and adults creating an abnormal need for sleep.
It occurs in around 1 in 2000 people, but few are properly diagnosed since the symptoms can often be confused with insomnia.
Narcolepsy usually begins between the ages of 15 and 30 although it’s often diagnosed much later. It can go unnoticed for several years until the symptoms worsen and you feel the need to see your doctor about it.
In this article I will explain the common symptoms, causes and the methods used to treat Narcolepsy
No matter how bad your insomnia, you can be very glad you’re not suffering from Fatal Familial Insomnia.
This extremely rare condition is thought to run through families. People suffering from it eventually get to the stage where it is physically impossible for them to fall asleep.
Patents suffer from extreme sleep deprivation for a number of months until ultimately their insomnia proves fatal.
A horrific disease the highlights our dependence for sleep and the nourishment it provides to our bodies.
