How do you know if you have a sleep disorder?
Experts believe everyone will experience a sleep disorder at some point in their life. But how do you know if you're affected by a sleep disorder? Here are some tell-tale signs:
First of all, if you spend more than 20 minutes getting to sleep every night, or find yourself waking up frequently during the night, you probably suffer from insomnia. If you toss and turn and can't seem to get comfortable, or your brain won't stop racing, you exhibit many of the common signs of insomnia.
If you feel tired and irritable during the day, despite sleeping for at least eight hours a night, you're probably not getting enough deep sleep. This might be due to a sleep disturbance in your stage 4 or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycle – perhaps sleepwalking or sleeptalking.
If you struggle making simple decisions in your waking life, it's a sure sign you need more sleep. When the brain is tired, it cannot distinguish between useful and extraneous information, making you feel as though every decision is incredibly complex and important. This adds to daytime stress, which can in turn exacerbate sleeping problems.
Are you feeling hungry all the time, even though you eat plenty during the day? Chronic sleep loss disrupts blood sugar and your body doesn't produce enough leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite. You'll eat more when you're sleep deprived, and it won't be healthy food. Sleepy people crave sugar and carbs as they give a quick burst of energy. These foods make you feel lethargic and ensure the destructive cycle continues.
Many sleep disorders – like sleep apnea and sleepwalking – won't be visible to you, as you will be asleep when their affects manifest. Ask your bed partner if they've noticed any unusual sleep behavior, such as snoring, snorting, or talking or walking in your sleep. You may have to go in to a sleep clinic for overnight observation.
If you think you might have a sleep disorder, you can talk to a doctor or sleep expert about potential cures. You shouldn't go straight to medication, though. Simple lifestyle changes and herbal remedies can cure most sleep disorders.
For more information about insomnia and sleep remedies you can visit the Sleep and Insomnia Guide
First of all, if you spend more than 20 minutes getting to sleep every night, or find yourself waking up frequently during the night, you probably suffer from insomnia. If you toss and turn and can't seem to get comfortable, or your brain won't stop racing, you exhibit many of the common signs of insomnia.
If you feel tired and irritable during the day, despite sleeping for at least eight hours a night, you're probably not getting enough deep sleep. This might be due to a sleep disturbance in your stage 4 or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycle – perhaps sleepwalking or sleeptalking.
If you struggle making simple decisions in your waking life, it's a sure sign you need more sleep. When the brain is tired, it cannot distinguish between useful and extraneous information, making you feel as though every decision is incredibly complex and important. This adds to daytime stress, which can in turn exacerbate sleeping problems.
Are you feeling hungry all the time, even though you eat plenty during the day? Chronic sleep loss disrupts blood sugar and your body doesn't produce enough leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite. You'll eat more when you're sleep deprived, and it won't be healthy food. Sleepy people crave sugar and carbs as they give a quick burst of energy. These foods make you feel lethargic and ensure the destructive cycle continues.
Many sleep disorders – like sleep apnea and sleepwalking – won't be visible to you, as you will be asleep when their affects manifest. Ask your bed partner if they've noticed any unusual sleep behavior, such as snoring, snorting, or talking or walking in your sleep. You may have to go in to a sleep clinic for overnight observation.
If you think you might have a sleep disorder, you can talk to a doctor or sleep expert about potential cures. You shouldn't go straight to medication, though. Simple lifestyle changes and herbal remedies can cure most sleep disorders.
For more information about insomnia and sleep remedies you can visit the Sleep and Insomnia Guide
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