5 Types of Sleep Disorders

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

-Robert Frost

Insomnia may not have inspired these lines from the poet, but the excerpt definitely holds true for stress-prone people, who find it difficult to switch off into oblivion once they are done for the day. The reasons behind an increasing number of sleep disorders may be rooted to one’s diet, anatomy, stress and anxiety. Factors like these create a vicious cycle of poor quality sleep in the night and feeling sleepy and fatigued during the night.

A significant number of people are sleep deprived however there isn’t much awareness about sleep quality among masses. In fact, more than 50% of the American population encounters sleep difficulties at some point in their lives. In Australia, for instance, where health awareness is pretty high, drivers of public transport don’t get a license unless their sleep study is fine.

Sleeping disorders are found in various forms:

• Sleep Apnea: An obstruction in respiratory system in the form of dust or mucus. This can cause loud snoring and the person wakes up unexpectedly when the breathing is blocked.
• Narcolepsy: The person suddenly fall sleep without any intention at inappropriate times.
• Parasomnia: The sleep will be interrupted many times without any reason. 
• Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD): The person may turn violent on some dreams and wake up. The eyeball constantly moves involuntarily depriving a comfortable sleep. Sudden involuntary movement of arms or legs while sleeping.
• Somnambulism: The person wake up suddenly and involve himself in activities like walking, eating or dressing etc. without any conscious knowledge.

Even though a good night’s sleep is one of the basic requisites for good health, it is also the most overlooked one. Insomnia or sleeplessness as they say deprives a person of mental rest and thereby interferes with his activities in the daytime.

Studies show that lack of sleep not only affects concentration and alertness, it also increases risk for diabetes and obesity impairs immune system function. The most common causes of sleeplessness are mental tension brought by anxiety, worries, overwork and over excitement and suppressed feelings of resentment, anger and bitterness.