Sleep disorders: the most common and when to seek advice
Let's be clear. Almost everyone experiences a bad night's sleep. The problem arises when it stops being an isolated event and becomes recurrent, affecting mood, concentration, or energy levels the next day.
What we mean by sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are not a single entity. In fact, there are over 100 sleep-related problems, although in practical terms they are usually grouped into several categories: difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, disruptions to the sleep rhythm, and abnormal behaviours during sleep.
What are the most common sleep disorders
Insomnia. This is the best-known disorder. It typically manifests as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early.
Sleep apnoea. This isn't just snoring. Apnoea can cause breathing to stop or become very shallow repeatedly throughout the night.
Restless Legs Syndrome. Often described as a hard-to-resist urge to move the legs, especially when at rest and at night.
Parasomnias. This category includes abnormal behaviours during sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, talking in one's sleep, or some episodes of sleep paralysis.
Excessive daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy. Falling asleep at inappropriate times or experiencing an irresistible urge to sleep during the day doesn't always mean narcolepsy, but it shouldn't be normalised either.
What signs should not be overlooked
There are several clues that warrant professional assessment. For example: weeks of poor sleep with no feeling of being rested upon waking; loud snoring with breathing pauses, gasping, or daytime sleepiness; a continuous need to move legs when lying down; episodes of sleepwalking with risk of falls or injuries; or sleep attacks during the day.
What causes or triggers are usually behind them
There isn't always a single cause. For insomnia, stress, anxiety, irregular schedules, shift work, and the consumption of caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol can significantly influence it. For sleep apnoea, factors such as overweight, airway anatomy, or family history play a role. For restless legs syndrome, pregnancy, iron-deficiency anaemia, kidney disease, some medications, and other underlying problems can be involved.
How each problem is addressed without oversimplifying it
Caution is advised here. There is no universal solution for "sleeping better" because the approach highly depends on the type of disorder.
For mild or occasional problems, improving sleep habits can help. For persistent insomnia, in addition to habits, cognitive-behavioural therapy can be part of the treatment. For sleep apnoea, evaluation and management may include lifestyle changes, positive airway pressure devices like CPAP, or other measures depending on the case.
You may also be interested in reading about melatonina en Andorra y paracetamol.
