How to Diagnose And Treat the 5 Most Common Sleep Disorders

How to Diagnose & Treat the 5 Most Common Sleep Disorders

Troublesome and disturbed sleep has been reported all across the world. The American Sleep Association (AMA), around 70 to 80 million people are affected by sleep disorders. Out of all of them, insomnia is the most common sleep disorder.

If you are working as a sleep technologist in a lung and sleep center in Michigan, you should be aware that your patients cannot get proper sleep; it might take them down. It can be potentially hazardous. American Sleep Association (AMA) has reported that almost 40,000 deaths have been caused due to drowsy driving.

Fortunately, now there are treatments available regarding which you can consult your doctor for the most common five sleep disorders.

Insomnia
Sleep Apnea
Narcolepsy
Restless Legs Syndrome
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

In this blog, we will discuss the diagnostic approach and treatment strategies regarding sleep disorders.

In order to receive an authentic and confirmed diagnosis, it is important for the patient to seek professional medical advice. If you are located in Michigan, you can visit our lung and sleep center to get treated for your sleep ailment disorders.

A sleep physician will properly take a brief look at your condition and might help you in sorting out your symptoms for the above-mentioned five sleep disorders.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a patient is not able to get sleep entirely. This sleep disorder is categorized into two different types.

Transient/ Short-term insomnia
Chronic Insomnia
Transient/ Short-term Insomnia

This type of insomnia is usually a consequence of a traumatic life event – let’s suppose you have suffered a loss of a loved one and may have gone through stressful relationship issues. There are higher chances that you will suffer from transient insomnia. This can also happen if you are working periodic day and night shifts or have jet lag. The outcomes can be overall unease or disturbed sleep, or you wouldn’t be able to identify the actual cause behind your inability to sleep.

Chronic Insomnia

This type of insomnia is identified by non-restorative sleep, incapacity to sleep and low-maintenance of sleep for at least a month. It will result in exhaustion and frustration during the day during your working hours. If you are suffering from chronic insomnia, you will experience a repeating sleeping pattern in which you will have scarcely any nights of good sleep while more nights of having bad and disturbed sleep.

Reasons for Developing Insomnia

Following can be the possible reasons for developing insomnia.

Bad sleep hygiene
Sleep-related breathing disorders
Systemic conditions
Spasmodic sleep-wake schedule
Hormonal variations
Limb movements while sleeping
Circadian rhythm disorders

Symptoms of Insomnia

You are suffering from insomnia if you have the following symptoms.

Unable to sleep even when you are tired
Unable to sleep enough to feel rejuvenated
Uncomfortable sleep and drained when you are awake.

Because of the above-mentioned symptoms, you will not be able to focus while performing your daily life activities. Your quality of life will be compromised. You might end up having headaches, stretched muscles and digestion issues.

Treatment of Insomnia

Medications for insomnia are prescribed as per the needs of the patient. For example – if the underlying reason for your insomnia is anxiety or depression, then your doctor will prescribe you anti-depressants and anxiolytics. Medications made for sleep particularly can be taken as well however they are usually prescribed for short-term insomnia.

There are some non-medical methods that can also be used to treat insomnia, such as cognitive behavior therapy, hypnosis, sleep restriction, stimulus control, and some relaxation techniques. Lifestyle and diet modifications, for instance – reducing caffeine consumption, can also help.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, commonly known as obstructive sleep, is a serious sleep disorder. The concerning issue here is that your airway keeps getting blocked. Due to this, you can instantly stop breathing. When this happens, you will either choke or start making loud snores. Upon waking up, you will find your brain and body to be oxygen bereaved. You can experience this one or two times during your sleep. Furthermore, it can occur multiple times during night hours if the case is severe.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Following can be the possible reasons for developing sleep apnea.

Waking up during the night with a sore throat
Snoring at high pitch
Waking up periodically while gasping
Extremely dizzy and sleeping during working hours
Depletion of energy
Headaches and migraines
Tiredness and fatigue

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Different approaches to treating sleep apnea are discussed in detail below.

CPAP therapy

Alternatives to CPAPCPAP stands for “Continuous positive airway pressure” therapy, in which a manual machine is used to prevent your airways from getting blocked while you are asleep. There is mild pressure moderation inside the CPAP machine, and prongs are attached to it that can easily fit your nose.

Some patients are uncomfortable using CPAP because of the mask attached to their noses. They can choose alternatives such as;

Use an oral or dental appliance.
Go for surgical intervention.
Lose weight by undergoing a weight management program
Go for positional therapy

Narcolepsy

In narcolepsy, patients fall asleep instantly without caring what time and what place it is. Most often, they fall asleep in odd circumstances – for example – while eating dinner at the table. Patients suffering from narcolepsy cannot control their sleep-wake cycle, which is usually unbalanced.

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

You are suffering from narcolepsy if you have the following symptoms.

Falling asleep without any heads up
Drowsiness and dizziness during daytime
Undergoing sleep paralysis
Suffering from cataplexy (A medical condition in which muscle lose their control temporarily, and you can collapse due to weakness. Usually, cataplexy is a reactionary disorder due to anger and laughter.
Hallucinations – can be hypnagogic (when you sleep from wake) or hypnopompic (when you wake from sleep)
Insomnia or irregular sleep

Treatment of Narcolepsy

Different medications are used to treat narcolepsy, such as;

Stimulant drugs (This is the first line treatment for narcolepsy, which helps the patient in staying awake.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants
Sodium oxalate

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome is characterized by an unstrained and unmanageable hankering to manoeuvre your lower limbs while you are lying down or sleeping. You can also feel bad aching, itching, tingling and burning in your legs. A patient can also experience that something is crawling in their calf muscles. You can feel such sensations all over your body.

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

You suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) if you have the following symptoms.

Strong and unpleasant urge to move your lower limbs
Experiencing crawling sensation in your calves
Ache or pain in your body
Symptoms can aggravate while you are static and not working
Symptoms can intensify during the night
Symptoms are relieved when you do some activity

Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Lifestyle changes and some medications can help in managing Restless Legs Syndrome.

Bath and body massage with warm water
Application of hot or cool packs on your lower limbs
Improve sleep hygiene
Do regular exercise
Reduce caffeine consumption
Use a foot wrap or vibrating pad

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

When you are suffering from REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, you start acting as your dreams while sleeping. Usually, patients don’t experience muscle paralysis while sleeping. Moreover, it must be taken diligently when the condition starts getting dangerous for the people surrounding you.

Symptoms of REM sleep Behavior Disorder

You suffer from REM Sleep Behavior Disorder if you have the following symptoms.

Moving your lower limbs while sleeping
Talking, shouting and punching during sleep

Treatment of REM sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder is usually treated with medicines. Prevention of injury is the key in case you have been affected.

Also Read: How to Support Someone Who Is in Depression

Conclusion

It can be scary for a patient if they are suffering from any sleep disorder. Lifestyle can be affected, and they can become frustrated and exhausted. Personal and social life can be affected. For someone who’s suffering from a sleep disorder, their best bet is to visit the lung and sleep center in Michigan and get the right consultation today.