Suspect you’re not getting good sleep? You’re probably right. Many signs and symptoms of poor sleep – and even serious sleep disorders – are often brushed off with excuses: I’m stressed, I had too much coffee, my pets wake me up, I ate something spicy…. Sound familiar? We all have bad nights, but frequent or consistent “bad nights” could mean something more is at play, and it’s time to get it checked out!
Not all sleep disorders are created equal, though many share some of the same symptoms. They do not, however, share the same treatments. But treatment can vastly improve your sleep and your quality of life. Wondering where to start? You’ve come to the right place.
[split-here]What is good sleep? It seems to be a societal mystery. Less than half of Americans wake up feeling extremely or very well-rested.
Good sleep means:
Though “good” sleep can be subjective, a person experiencing consistent quality sleep likely:
To sum it up, good sleep ties directly to good health. If you have a sleep disorder and find the right treatment, you’ll likely see improvements in your mood, diet, weight, skin, and cognitive function. Also, if you share a bed with a partner, having fewer sleep disruptions improves their sleep, too. How do you know if you have disordered sleep? Glad you asked.
Though over 70 exist,
Your body is pretty good at making sure you make it through the night – that you’re breathing and breathing right. That’s why when you have sleep apnea, your body is constantly waking you up due to the disrupted breathing events that happen with this disorder.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the muscles in the throat relax to the point of collapse, restricting airflow. This causes breathing to become shallow and even stop for seconds or minutes at a time, depriving the body and brain of oxygen. The lack of deep sleep can cause significant fatigue and elevate the risk for serious health problems. The most common treatment to regulate breathing is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device.
There are several types of sleep apnea, though obstructive is most common:
Some symptoms of sleep apnea:
Dangers of sleep apnea:
What to do if you think you have sleep apnea? Find out if this is what’s keeping you up at night with a sleep test. We have helpful resources about what is a sleep test, how to set up a sleep test, and what to expect. It’s also important that you find a sleep medicine specialist to talk through treatment and options.
Related Article: How do I find out if I have sleep apnea?
Similar to sleep apnea, UARS can often be mistaken for it. Sometimes CPAP is even prescribed. If harmless (only noisemaking) snoring is on one end of the sleep disordered breathing spectrum, and sleep apnea on the other, UARS is somewhere in the middle. The main difference between the two is that while breathing quality is diminished, UARS does not (or rarely does) cause apneas, or, pauses in breathing. It can, however, lead to sleep apnea.
Some symptoms of UARS:
A sleep study may be necessary for diagnosis and to find the right level of treatment, which could include CPAP therapy.
PLMD is when the limbs involuntarily move repeatedly throughout the night, which can lead to frequent awakenings, non-restorative sleep, and daytime fatigue. It’s often associated with restless leg syndrome, which occurs during waking hours.
This disorder often runs in families, though it’s relatively rare. It presents as a serious urge to sleep, often without warning or ability to resist. Diagnosis and treatment involve working closely with a sleep medicine professional.
REM sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorder are other examples of sleep disturbances that have medical symptoms and treatments. These disorders include symptoms like abnormal activity during sleep, inability to initiate sleep, and sleep phase delays similar to jet lag.
With all sleep disorders, correct diagnosis is key to getting the right treatment. The best thing to do if you exhibit symptoms and suspect you’re not sleeping properly is to schedule a sleep test and work with a sleep medicine specialist. The positive impact treatment has on sleep can make all the difference in your life.
It’s not just your physical health that suffers the consequences of a disorder like sleep apnea. Yes, an increased chance of heart disease and diabetes is serious, but so are the less obvious impacts. Lack of quality sleep can creep into every corner – from your emotional state to the health of your relationships. Here are just a few of the ways:
These things affect the quality of your work and ability to succeed at your job, how well you drive your car, your day-to-day emotions, and, inevitably, the quality of your relationships. When it comes to a happy life, sleep matters.
Does any of this sound familiar? There’s no shame in the disordered sleep game. And, if you have a sleep disorder, you’re definitely not alone. Current estimates suggest that 22 million Americans have sleep apnea, and many more are undiagnosed.
Though lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can help with an array of health issues, they’re not a cure to serious sleep issues. You should never feel like a health condition is your fault or that you don’t deserve the best possible treatment. It’s not helpful to ignore the symptoms and possibly get worse, and facing the issue head-on is the best gift you can give yourself.
Some helpful things to consider when confronting the possibility that you may have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea:
Like many people, you may not realize just how little sleep you’re really getting. Or that the sleep you do get is poor quality. People who sleep well don’t feel tired throughout the day and are generally healthier than those who do not. You will be amazed what good sleep through proper treatment will do. Give it a try!
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