978 Best Female Doctors For Sleep Disorders In Pakistan

Summary about Sleep Disorders in English

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect your ability to sleep well on a regular basis. They can be caused by an underlying health problem or by too much stress. Most people have the occasional bad night, but if you regularly struggle to fall asleep, wake up tired, or feel sleepy during the day, you may have a sleep disorder. Poor sleep affects your energy, mood, concentration and overall health, so it’s important to get it checked. Most sleep disorders can be diagnosed with simple tests and treated effectively.

What is a Sleep Disorder?

A sleep disorder is any condition that regularly disturbs the quality, timing or amount of your sleep. Some make it hard to fall or stay asleep, others cause breathing problems or unusual movements during sleep, and some make you feel extremely sleepy during the day. Many sleep disorders develop as a result of another health problem, so treating the underlying cause often improves sleep.

Types of Sleep Disorders

There are many sleep disorders, but five of the most common are:

1. Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. It makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. In Urdu it’s called بے خوابی.

• Acute insomnia is short-term and usually lasts no more than a few weeks, often after stress or travel.

• Chronic insomnia means sleep problems at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or longer.

2. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during sleep.

• Obstructive sleep apnea: the airway gets blocked.

• Central sleep apnea: the brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing.

3. Parasomnias

Parasomnias cause unusual movements or behaviours during sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, nightmares, bedwetting and teeth grinding.

REM sleep behaviour disorder is a type of parasomnia in which people physically act out their dreams by talking, shouting, punching, kicking or jumping out of bed. Unlike sleepwalkers, they usually remember the dream. It is uncommon, affecting less than 1% of people, and most often appears after age 50.

4. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS causes a strong urge to move the legs, often with a tingling feeling. It is most noticeable at night.

5. Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy causes sudden “sleep attacks” during the day while you’re awake. Some people also experience sleep paralysis, a short period of being unable to move after waking up.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock, and light is its main driver. When it’s disrupted, your sleep timing goes out of sync. Types include:

• Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder: falling asleep and waking 2 or more hours later than most people (the “night owl” pattern). It’s common in teens and young adults.

• Advanced sleep-wake phase disorder: falling asleep and waking very early.

• Shift work disorder: caused by night or rotating work shifts.

• Jet lag disorder: caused by travelling across several time zones.

• Irregular sleep-wake rhythm: no clear sleep pattern.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders symptoms vary by type, but common signs include:

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

• Waking too early and not being able to fall back asleep

• Sleep that doesn’t feel refreshing

• Daytime tiredness and a strong urge to nap

• Unusual breathing patterns during sleep

• An unpleasant urge to move the legs when falling asleep

• Unusual movements or behaviours during sleep

• An irregular sleep and wake schedule

• Irritability, anxiety or mood changes

• Poor concentration and memory

• Poor performance at work or school

• Depression and weight gain

Causes of Sleep Disorders

Common causes of sleep disorders include:

• Stress and anxiety: can also trigger nightmares, sleep talking and sleepwalking

• Allergies and breathing problems: colds, allergies and respiratory infections can make breathing at night difficult

• Frequent urination at night (nocturia): sometimes linked to hormonal imbalance or urinary tract problems

• Chronic pain: such as arthritis, back pain or frequent headaches

• Mental health conditions: such as anxiety and depression

• Other health conditions: such as diabetes and acid reflux (GERD)

• Shift work and travel: disrupt your body clock

• Lifestyle habits: irregular sleep times, late meals, screen use before bed and an uncomfortable sleep space

Risk Factors of Sleep Disorders

You may be more likely to have a sleep disorder if you:

• Are older

• Are pregnant or going through menopause

• Work night or rotating shifts

• Have an inactive lifestyle

• Nap often during the day

• Consume a lot of caffeine

• Have a family history of sleep problems

• Have neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, which raises the risk of REM sleep behaviour disorder

Preventive Measures of Sleep Disorders

These habits help protect your sleep and can also improve existing sleep problems:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule, including on weekends

• Spend time outdoors in daylight

• Exercise regularly to reduce stress

• Limit caffeine, especially in the late afternoon and evening

• Cut down on alcohol and tobacco

• Avoid late-afternoon or evening naps

• Turn off screens well before bed, and read or meditate instead

• Drink less water close to bedtime

• Eat smaller, lighter meals before bed

• Keep your bedroom comfortable, with suitable lighting and temperature

• Maintain a healthy weight

Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders

Your doctor will start with a physical exam and ask about your symptoms, sleep habits and medical history. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary for 2 to 4 weeks. Tests may include:

• Polysomnography (sleep study): an overnight test in a sleep lab that measures oxygen levels, body movements and brain waves

• Home sleep test: a simpler test done at home, mainly to check for sleep apnea

• Electroencephalogram (EEG): measures the brain’s electrical activity

• Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT): a daytime napping study that helps diagnose narcolepsy

• Blood tests: to rule out other health conditions

Treatment of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders treatment depends on the type and cause.

Medical treatment:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It includes stimulus control, sleep restriction, light therapy, relaxation techniques and better sleep habits.

• Medicines: for the sleep problem itself or for an underlying health condition, prescribed when therapy and lifestyle changes aren’t enough.

• Breathing devices or surgery: usually for sleep apnea.

• Dental guard: for teeth grinding.

• Light therapy and gradual schedule changes: for circadian rhythm disorders.

Safety tips for REM sleep behaviour disorder: move objects away from the bed and keep the bed away from windows to prevent injury during episodes.

Check with your doctor before taking sleep supplements or over-the-counter sleep aids.

Complications of Sleep Disorders

Long-term poor sleep can lead to:

• Trouble thinking clearly, concentrating and remembering

• Poor performance at work or school

• A higher risk of accidents, including car accidents

• High blood pressure and heart disease

• Diabetes and obesity

• Depression

• Alzheimer’s disease and some cancers

REM sleep behaviour disorder can sometimes be an early sign of a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease, so regular check-ups are recommended.