Insomnia and sleep apnea are common disorders that can cause issues with everyday life. They are especially problematic for people who work night shifts, or have other job-related reasons for needing to sleep during the day. In this article, you will find information on both of these disorders, as well as some tips for how to deal with them.
What is Insomnia?
If you’ve ever had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you’re not alone. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, affecting millions of people of all ages.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. You may have trouble falling asleep when you first go to bed. Or, you may wake up often during the night. As a result, you may get too little sleep or have poor-quality sleep.
There are two types of insomnia: primary and secondary. Primary insomnia isn’t caused by another health condition. It may be due to stress, changes in your environment, or other factors. Secondary insomnia is caused by another health condition such as asthma, depression, or arthritis pain.
Insomnia can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute insomnia lasts for less than a month. It’s usually caused by something temporary, like stress from a job loss or family conflict. Chronic insomnia lasts for more than a month. It can be caused by an ongoing problem, like anxiety or depression.
Who Gets Insomnia?
There are many different types of sleep disorders, but insomnia is by far the most common. Insomnia can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in adults. There are several different factors that can contribute to insomnia, including stress, anxiety, depression, medical conditions, and medications.
How to Deal with Insomnia
If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from insomnia, you know how frustrating it can be. Insomnia can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, leaving you feeling exhausted during the day.
There are a number of things you can do to deal with insomnia. First, try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will help your body get into a regular sleep rhythm.
Second, create a relaxing bedtime routine. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or doing some light stretching or relaxation exercises. Doing these things can help your body and mind wind down so you’re more likely to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.
Third, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. Both of these substances can interfere with sleep. Caffeine should be avoided for at least six hours before bedtime, while alcohol should be limited to one drink in the evening.
Fourth, limit your exposure to bright light in the evening. This means avoiding screens (including phones, laptops, and TVs) for at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light emitted by these devices can disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle and make it harder to fall asleep.
Finally, if you’re still struggling with insomnia despite following these tips, talk to your doctor about other treatment options that may be right for you.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. It can occur dozens of times an hour and may significantly disrupt sleep. Sleep apnea can cause snoring but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea (the most common type) occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apneas.
Sleep apnea usually is diagnosed based on symptoms, medical history, a physical exam, and results from overnight sleep studies. Sleep studies involve spending a night in a lab or at home with equipment to monitor breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels in the blood, and other body functions during sleep. If you have mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea, you may be able to treat it without a formal diagnosis with positive airway pressure (PAP) devices or oral appliances that keep your airway open while you sleep.
Conclusion
If you find yourself struggling to get a good night’s sleep, you’re not alone. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide. While there are many potential causes of insomnia, the good news is that there are also many effective treatment options available. If you’re struggling to get enough shut-eye, be sure to talk to your doctor about what might be causing your insomnia and what treatment options are available.