Sleep deprivation is a common complaint worldwide. According to the American Sleep Association (AMA), sleep problems affect 50 to 70 million people in the United States, the most prevalent complaint.
As a Sleep Technologist, you need to know that your patients' insomnia can be depressing. It can also be very dangerous. According to the American Medical Association, drowsiness causes 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries on American roadways each year.
Fortunately, there are treatments for the five most prevalent sleep problems that you can discuss with your patients:
- Insomnia
- Apnea (lack of sleep)
- Narcolepsy
- Restless legs syndrome
- REM sleep behavioral disorder, as well as REM sleep behavioral disorder.
Insomnia
The word 'insomnia' means falling or not being able to sleep. Insomnia can be divided into two categories. There are two types of insomnia: temporary or short-term insomnia and persistent insomnia.
Insomnia is temporary or lasts only a few days. This type of insomnia is common after a traumatic life event such as the death of a loved one or a breakup. This can happen even when you are working shifts or enjoying jet lag.
Insomnia is a condition that occurs regularly. Insomnia, insomnia, and persistent insomnia for at least a month are all symptoms of chronic insomnia. During the day, you get tired. When you have chronic intermittent insomnia, you have a sleep pattern in which you get some wonderful nights and many sleepless nights.
Insomnia can occur for a variety of reasons. Here are some of them:
- Sleep hygiene issues
- Sleep-induced breathing problems
- Health problems
- The sleep-wake cycle is interrupted.
- Hormonal changes
- It is common for limbs to move during sleep.
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Apnea (lack of sleep)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a dangerous but common sleep disorder. If your airway is repeatedly blocked, you will stop breathing. When this happens, you may suffocate or snore loudly. When you wake up, your body and brain are deficient in oxygen. It can happen once or twice a night. In extreme cases, this can happen hundreds of times a night.
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have sleep apnea:
- You wake up in the middle of the night with a dry or sore throat.
- You are snoring a lot.
- You sometimes wake up with shortness of breath or suffocation.
- During the day you sleep soundly.
- Usually, you do not have the energy.
- You are suffering from a headache.
You are tired and irritated right now.
Narcolepsy
If you have narcolepsy, you can sleep anywhere, anytime. You often fall asleep suddenly in unexpected situations like when you are eating. Narcolepsy affects people who cannot control their sleep-wake cycle.
Signs and symptoms of narcolepsy
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have narcolepsy:
- You fall asleep unexpectedly.
- During the day you sleep soundly.
- You suffer from sleep paralysis.
- Cataplexy (transient loss of muscle control that makes you feel weak or puts you in danger of collapsing) occurs. Cataplexy is a response to strong emotions such as anger or laughter.
- Hallucinations occur when you switch from waking to hypnosis (hypnagogic) or waking from sleep (hypnagogic) (hypnopompic).
- Insomnia means insomnia.
Restless legs syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is when you do not need to move your legs while sleeping. Pain, tingling, inflammation, and the feeling that something is growing in your calves are all possible symptoms. These unpleasant sensations can also occur in other parts of your body.
Symptoms of common restless legs syndrome
If any of the following applies to you, you may have Restless Legs Syndrome:
- You have to move your feet.
- In your legs, you may feel like you are crawling or in pain.
- When you are not active, your symptoms worsen.
- During the night, your symptoms may worsen.
- When you stretch, walk or walk, you get some relief from your discomfort.
REM sleep behavioral disorder (RSBD) is a sleep disorder that affects
If you have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, you can pursue your dreams while you sleep. You do not have the muscle paralysis that most people have when they sleep. When an illness threatens you or others, it should be treated with extreme caution.
Symptoms of Common REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have REM sleep behavior disorder:
- During sleep, you move your limbs.
Important points to remember
If you have trouble falling asleep and notice any of the above symptoms, you should seek professional treatment immediately.
When your patients have sleep problems, it can be scary and obscure for them. They can become irritable, tired, and lonely due to sleep problems. Their bed partner may be angry because they do not understand what is happening to their loved ones. As a result, their home, career, and social life are all damaged. The good news is, as you read, help and treatment are available.
Patients with sleep disorders should consult a sleep physician as soon as possible.
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