Advarselsskilte Om Søvnforstyrrelse

2024 Forfatter: Jesus Peterson | [email protected]. Sidst ændret: 2023-12-17 11:14

Kunne du have en søvnforstyrrelse?

De fleste mennesker har problemer med at falde i søvn på et tidspunkt i deres liv. Men kroniske søvnproblemer og vedvarende træthed på dagen kan pege på en mere alvorlig lidelse. Mere end 25 procent af amerikanerne rapporterer, at de til tider ikke får nok søvn, ifølge Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Læs videre for at afgøre, om dine sovevaner kan signalere en medicinsk tilstand.

Følgende kan være advarselstegn om en søvnforstyrrelse:

tager konstant mere end 30 minutter at falde i søvn
evig træthed og irritabilitet i løbet af dagen, selv efter at have fået syv eller otte timers søvn om natten
vågner op adskillige gange midt på natten og forbliver vågen, nogle gange i timer
hyppige og lange lur i løbet af dagen
vanskeligheder med at koncentrere sig på arbejde eller skole
falder i søvn på upassende tidspunkter, mest når man sidder stille mens man ser tv eller læser
vågner op for tidligt om morgenen
høj snorken, vejrtrækning eller gispe lyde, mens du sover
en uimodståelig trang til at bevæge dine ben, eller en prikkende eller gennemsøgende følelse i benene, især ved sengetid
kræver et stimulerende middel som koffein for at holde dig vågen i løbet af dagen

Diagnostisering af søvnforstyrrelser

Self-diagnose

The first step to understanding the source of your sleep problems is starting a sleep journal. Every day, record how many hours you slept the night before, the quality of the sleep, and any other factors that could have affected your sleep. Factors may include alcohol and caffeine consumption, exercise, and naps. Also, record how you felt in the morning after awaking and throughout the day.

After a few weeks, examine your sleep journal closely for any patterns of behavior. The journal should reveal any habits that could be interfering with your sleep. You can then make adjustments and cut out any activity that might have interfered with a sound night’s sleep. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and findings.

Medical diagnosis

Armed with your sleep journal, you should have no problem answering questions about your sleep habits at a doctor’s appointment. Your doctor might ask you about:

stress
caffeine intake
medications
lifestyle disruptions that could be affecting your sleep

If your doctor feels it necessary, they might refer you to a “sleep lab” where a specialist will observe your heart, brain function, and breathing during sleep. Neurological and cardiovascular activity during your sleep might hold the answer to why you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep. The sleep specialist will have advice and a diagnosis for you based on these exams.

Possible causes of sleep disorders

Sometimes a sleep disorder is caused by a medical condition. The following have all been linked to sleep disorders:

nasal and sinus inflammation
asthma
diabetes mellitus
Parkinson’s disease
high blood pressure
anxiety
clinical depression

Often, however, a sleep disorder is caused by nonmedical factors. These include:

poor sleep habits
lifestyle factors
stressful circumstances
dietary choices

It’s important to pay attention to what could be causing your sleep problems before assuming that there is a larger health issue at play.

Types of sleep disorders

Sleep disorders affect many people, so don’t be hesitant to talk to your doctor if you think you may have one.

Insomnia

This is defined as the inability to fall or stay asleep that results in functional impairment throughout the following day. Insomnia is the most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder. A massive CDC study revealed that sleep duration varies greatly according to profession, employment status, marital status, and state of residence. Having another chronic health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, also increases your chances of being affected by insomnia.

Learn more: What is insomnia? »

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

RLS is an unpleasant creeping sensation that can cause aches and pains in the legs that make it difficult to fall asleep. Up to 10 percent of Americans may have RLS in some form, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Most people with severe RLS are middle aged or older, and women are twice as likely to have the condition.

RLS is classified as a neurological disorder. Treatment options and diagnosis methods are different than other sleep disorders. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of RLS. They’ll help you find relief from both the syndrome and the underlying cause.

Learn more: Everything you need to know about restless legs syndrome (RLS) »

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is defined as interrupted sleep caused by periodic gasping or snorting noises, or the momentary suspension of breathing. A deviated septum or polyps in the sinuses can cause difficulty breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea aren’t able to get enough oxygen while they sleep, resulting in sleep interruption and difficulty.

Sleep apnea is typically treated with a small machine and mask that administer pressure on the sinuses during sleep. This treatment is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Oral appliances and even surgery may also be recommended to treat sleep apnea.

Veterans and other people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are nearly 70 percent more likely to be affected by sleep apnea, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation. Being overweight to the point of obesity also makes obstructive sleep apnea more likely.

Learn more: Obstructive sleep apnea »

Other sleep disorders

Less common sleep disorders include:

narcolepsy, a condition in which a person cannot control when they fall asleep and they have episodes of unwanted sleep
circadian rhythm sleep disorder, in which a person has trouble “aligning” their body’s natural inclinations for sleep with the rising and setting of the sun
Kleine-Levin syndrome, also known as “Sleeping Beauty” syndrome, a condition in which a person will sleep for periods of two or more days at a time
idiopathic hypersomnia, a condition where a person is uncontrollably tired or sleepy despite consistently getting the recommended amount of sleep

Treatments for sleep disorders

Treatments for sleep disorders will vary according to the diagnosis and cause. There are many suggested treatments, from behavioral therapies to prescription medications.

Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, are often the first treatment recommended by doctors when a person is diagnosed with insomnia. Cognitive therapies and “sleep restriction therapy” seek to redefine the act of sleep in an individual’s mind so that they are able to fall asleep more easily. All of these treatments, however, are based on the idea that the underlying sleep disorder is psychological.

Natural remedies, such as lavender oil, acupuncture, and chamomile tea, are easy to find and try. The effectiveness of these treatments is difficult to prove, but many people anecdotally claim to get relief from sleep disorders through holistic treatments.

Prescription medications for sleep disorders (insomnia) may include one of the following:

zolpidem (Ambien)
eszopiclone (Lunesta)
doxepin (Silenor)
diphenhydramine (Unisom, Benadryl)

These medications can help you fall asleep more easily and sleep for longer durations of time. However, some of these medications can lead to dependence. If you are looking for a long-term solution to your sleep disorder, it's always better to identify the underlying cause.

Outlook for sleep disorders

A wide range of factors, both medical and nonmedical, have an effect on healthy sleep. Therefore, practicing good sleep hygiene is an essential starting point for greater happiness and productivity. Pay close attention to your sleep habits, and don’t shrug off your exhaustion as something you simply have to live with. Through healthy habits and medical treatment, you’ll find relief for sleepless nights.