Can't Sleep It Off: 9 Sleep Symptoms That Show You May Have Sleep Disorders

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Author: Leila Tan

28 August 2024

Millions worldwide struggle with sleep disorders, facing challenges far beyond simply counting sheep. These conditions disrupt not only their ability to sleep, but also significantly impact their physical and mental well-being. Hence, we'll explore the different types of sleep disorders, the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation, and what you can do to maintain physical and mental health.

How Much Sleep We Generally Need? 9 Symptoms That Show You Might Have Sleep Disorders

The amount of sleep a person needs varies significantly with age, and while there are general recommendations for each age group, these needs do not typically differ by gender. Here's a breakdown of the recommended amount of sleep by age group, according to guidelines from organisations like the National Sleep Foundation and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine: - Teenagers (14-17 years) - 8 to 10 hours daily Many teenagers do not get enough sleep, affecting their mood, mental health, and academic performance. - Young Adults (18-25 years) - 7 to 9 hours daily This range also applies to adults up to the age of 64. Sleep needs stabilise in adulthood. - Adults (26-64 years) - 7 to 9 hours daily Consistent, quality sleep is vital for overall health and well-being. - Older Adults (65+ years) - 7 to 8 hours daily While sleep patterns may change with age, older adults still need restorative sleep. If you are sleeping less than you need or having these symptoms of sleep as below, you might actually have sleep disorder: 1. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness 2. Waking Up with a Headache 3. Loud Snoring 4. Pauses in Breathing During Sleep 5. Frequent Nighttime Urination 6. Unusual Movements During Sleep 7. Chronic Fatigue 8. Difficulty Concentrating or Memory Issues 9. Mood Changes Wondering what makes these happen? According to sleep study, the answer behind these symptoms may be one of the most common reasons: sleep apnea.

Possible Reasons of Your Sleep Problems: Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea are both sleep-related disorders that can significantly impact the quality of sleep, and in many cases, they can lead to the 9 symptoms as mentioned above. In the case of sleep apnea, it may even have serious health implications if left untreated. Let's see what's the difference between these two:

Snoring

Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. It has a tendency to worsen with age. Snoring happens when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed during sleep. This obstruction can occur due to various reasons: - Anatomy of the Mouth and Sinuses: A thick or low soft palate, enlarged tonsils, or a deviated septum can narrow the airway. - Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol can relax the throat muscles, increasing the risk of snoring. - Nasal Problems: Chronic nasal congestion or a collapsed nasal valve can lead to snoring. - Sleep Deprivation: Not getting enough sleep can lead to further throat relaxation. - Sleep Position: Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue to move to the back of the throat, blocking the airflow. Snoring might not be harmful on its own, but it can be a nuisance to bed partners and can also indicate a more serious health condition - sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a more serious condition characterised by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. The most common type, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), involves a physical blockage of the airway, which is often the relaxed throat muscle. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), less common, occurs when the brain fails to send the right signals to muscles that control breathing. This highlights a coordination issue between the brain and the respiratory system, independent of any physical blockages. The symptoms that are associated with sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and concentration difficulties due to the disrupted sleep architecture and reduced oxygen levels. Snorers without sleep apnea do not usually experience these daytime symptoms unless their snoring significantly affects their sleep quality.

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Get Back Normal Sleep Patterns with Sleep Specialist: How Perfect Medical Can Get Rid of Your Sleep Disturbances

If you are grappling with snoring or sleep apnea, getting the issue fixed and over with is the only way to ensure you will be able to get adequate sleep in the long run. Here, the Fotona 4D NightLase Snoring Treatment presents a promising solution without the need for invasive procedures!

How Fotona 4D NightLase Snoring Treatment can help?

Offered by Perfect Medical, this advanced laser therapy improves sleep quality by targeting the root cause of these issues: the relaxation and subsequent obstruction of the airway during sleep. The key to the NightLase treatment lies in its use of laser technology to gently and effectively tighten the soft tissues in the back of the mouth. This tightening effect is achieved through a process where the laser energy induces collagen within the tissues to contract. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to our skin and tissues; by stimulating it to shrink, the treatment creates a firmer, less collapsible airway, which is less likely to obstruct during sleep. What sets the NightLase treatment apart is its non-invasive nature. Unlike surgical interventions for snoring and sleep apnea, which can require significant recovery time and carry risks of complications, NightLase offers a simpler, safer alternative. There's no need for anaesthesia, incisions, or a hospital stay. The procedure itself is relatively quick and conducted in an outpatient setting. Patients might experience minor side effects, such as a slight dryness in the throat, but these are typically mild and can be easily remedied by drinking water. This minor inconvenience is a small price to pay for the significant improvements in sleep quality and the reduction in snoring intensity and sleep apnea symptoms that NightLase can provide. While NightLase can offer substantial relief, the severity and nature of sleep apnea vary from person to person. Therefore, some people may require a series of treatments to achieve optimal results. This tailored approach ensures that the therapy addresses the specific needs of everyone, and the specialist will ensure there is a customised solution for your snoring and sleep apnea challenges.

Perfect Medical's Fotona 4D Nightlase Snoring Treatment

Behind the Symptoms: Other Causes Why You Have Trouble With Sleep Duration

Aside from most common sleep disorders like snoring or sleep apnea, there could be other reasons that cause you to have bad sleep quality. If you are not the kind that deals with lots of screens (phones, tablets, computers, TVs) before bedtime, then you might be falling victim to other sleep disorders.

Additionally, if you realise your current method or treatment to solve sleep problems does not help with the condition, here are some other types of sleep disorders that may be the cause of your problems:

1. Insomnia

This is when you have a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep, or you wake up way too early and can't go back to sleep. It's like your brain refuses to switch off, either just for a short while (acute) or for a long time (chronic). Causes of chronic insomnia can vary widely, including stress, anxiety, depression, changes in your environment or work schedule, poor sleep habits, caffeine, other stimulants, and certain medications. Chronic pain or other medical conditions can also play a role.

2. Sleep Paralysis

If you wake up from bed and realise you can't move your body, that means you have encountered sleep paralysis. This can occur on its own or as part of narcolepsy, which often comes with sudden muscle weakness. Factors that may increase the risk include lack of sleep, an irregular sleep schedule, stress, and other sleep disorders like nighttime leg cramps or sleep apnea.

3. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Ever felt like you just HAVE to move your legs because they feel super uncomfortable when you're resting or trying to sleep? That's RLS. It's like your legs have a mind of their own, especially at night. The exact cause is often unknown, but it may be related to imbalances in dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps control muscle movement. It can also be linked to pregnancy, iron deficiency, or kidney failure.

4. Narcolepsy

You could be laughing with friends one minute and then suddenly feel overwhelmingly sleepy or even fall asleep without warning. Some people with narcolepsy also suddenly can't move their muscles when they're laughing or surprised. This disorder is thought to involve a loss of brain cells that produce hypocretin, a chemical important for regulating wakefulness. It can be triggered by factors like genetics, brain injuries, or autoimmune disorders.

5. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Our bodies have a natural clock that tells us when to feel sleepy and when to feel awake. But sometimes, this clock gets out of sync with the world around us. This is often caused by a misalignment between a person's internal clock and their environment. Causes can include shift work, travelling across time zones, and exposure to light from screens at night.

6. Parasomnias

These are the weird stuff that can happen when you're sleeping, like sleepwalking, having nightmares, or even acting out your dreams. The exact causes can vary depending on the specific disorder but often involve transitions between sleep stages or parts of the brain that control sleep being unusually active or not active enough. Stress, sleep deprivation, and other sleep disorders can also contribute.

7. Hypersomnia

This is basically the opposite of insomnia. Instead of not being able to sleep, you feel super sleepy during the day, even if you slept a lot at night. It can be caused by other sleep disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy, or it can be due to conditions like obesity, epilepsy, or depression. Some cases have no known cause and are called idiopathic.

8. Bruxism

This fancy word just means you grind your teeth or clench your jaw really tight when you're asleep. It can make your jaw hurt and wear down your teeth over time. Stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders are common causes. Other possible causes include an abnormal bite, missing or crooked teeth, or sleep apnea.

9. Nocturia

This is a fancy term for needing to pee a lot at night. It can be annoying because you have to keep getting up, which messes with your sleep. Causes range from lifestyle choices (like drinking too much fluid before bed) to medical conditions (such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, heart failure, or prostate problems).

10. Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

This is a weird pattern of breathing that gets really deep, then fades away, and might even stop for a bit before starting again. It's often seen in conditions that affect the brain's ability to control breathing, like congestive heart failure or stroke. High altitude can also be a cause due to the body's response to lower oxygen levels.

If you suspect you have any other disorders as mentioned above, get it checked as early as possible. The consequences of not getting enough sleep extend beyond mere tiredness. Chronic sleep disorders has been linked to various physical health issues, including heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.

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Last Few Words

All in all, achieving restful sleep is important for maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm (the body's natural sleep-wake cycle). Given that Singapore is already a high stress and fast paced country itself, it's time to get your sleep disorders diagnosed, as well as conquering symptoms of sleep disorders. Take action today, tune your poor quality sleep back to normal sleep cycle and wake up refreshed again!

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Fotona 4D NightLase Snoring Treatment
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Date should not be before minimal date

I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

FAQ

1. How can circadian rhythm disorders affect sleep and what are the common treatments?

Circadian rhythm disorders disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulty falling asleep and staying awake at conventional times, which can make individuals feel tired during the day. Common treatments include light therapy to reset the body's internal clock, melatonin supplements, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

2. What is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and how does it help people with sleep apnea?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open in individuals who experience breathing pauses due to sleep apnea. It helps them avoid sleep deprivation and reduces the risk of related health concerns by ensuring they can stay asleep without interruptions.

3. Can poor sleep contribute to mental health concerns, and what role does sleep hygiene play in prevention?

Yes, poor sleep can significantly contribute to mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression, by exacerbating stress and affecting mood regulation. Good sleep hygiene, including regular sleep schedules and avoiding stimulants before bedtime, can improve sleep quality and help mitigate these concerns.

4. How does sleep deprivation affect the body's ability to control disease, and what are the long-term health risks?

Sleep deprivation significantly impacts the body's immune system, which is crucial for disease control and overall health. When we sleep, our bodies produce and release cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. Cytokines are both produced and released during sleep, meaning that inadequate sleep can decrease the production of these protective cytokines, as well as antibodies and cells that fight off infections. This reduction weakens the immune system's ability to ward off illnesses.

5. What strategies can individuals use if they have difficulty falling asleep and often feel tired during the day?

Individuals facing difficulty falling asleep and feeling tired during the day can adopt several strategies, such as establishing a consistent sleep routine, limiting exposure to screens before bed, engaging in relaxation techniques like meditation or a warm bath, and ensuring their sleeping environment is conducive to rest. If these methods do not improve sleep quality, it may be beneficial to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation, as underlying sleep disorders or health issues could be contributing factors.