What are the main sleep disorders, and what is their origin?
At Morfeo, our main goal is our customers' rest. As sleep specialists, we have prepared this article where we explain what the main sleep disorders are and their origin.
Table of Contents
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What are the main sleep disorders?
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Other sleep disorders:
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Sleep problems
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Sleep disorders
Sleeping is a basic need, but also, to get a good rest, you have to do it for the necessary hours. Haste, stress, and the use of technology at all times make many people suffer from some type of sleep disorder today. Not sleeping properly or suffering from a sleep problem generates another set of problems or disorders such as:
- Lack of concentration
- Memory loss
- Tendency to irritability
- Reduced reflexes
- Eye strain
And other consequences that can be very negative for physical and mental health. The alteration of sleep and wakefulness patterns are the cause of many sleep problems in adults who do not sleep well, nor enough hours.
But also, there are disorders of psychological and biological origin, which can affect sleep, in addition to those that have their cause in external factors that can be corrected more easily.
What are the main sleep disorders?
➡ Sleep onset insomnia:
It consists of suffering a great difficulty to fall asleep. It is considered a disorder when it repeats continuously over time, and it is often associated with states of anxiety or depression.
➡ Sleep maintenance insomnia
It is also considered a psychological disorder when it lasts over time. Just as happens in sleep onset insomnia, it is associated with states of anxiety and depression, but with the difference that those who suffer from it wake up frequently interrupting sleep cycles. You can suffer both types of insomnia at the same time.
➡ Sleep apnea
It has its origin in breathing alterations that interfere with sleep due to hypoventilation or insufficient ventilation. They negatively alter blood oxygen levels while sleeping. Within sleep apnea, obstructive apneas can be distinguished (the airway closes and breathing is interrupted for a few seconds; they are usually accompanied by intense snoring) and central apneas (the brain momentarily stops sending the order to breathe). If you snore a lot or they tell you that you pause your breathing while you sleep, consult your doctor.
➡ Nightmares
One of the most common sleep disorders, especially during childhood. It is about parasomnias related to the REM stage of sleep, in which very frightening situations are experienced, very realistically. Its origin is related to emotional problems, and in which the person wakes up with great agitation, sweating, tachycardia, and confusion.
➡ Sleep terrors
Associated with sleepwalking, with which they seem to share their neurological origin. In them, a sudden awakening occurs with manifestations of anguish and crying, but they are episodes that are not remembered the next day.
➡ Hypersomnia
Or a continuous feeling of sleepiness outside of rest hours. It is one of the most limiting sleep disorders for those who suffer from it, since it prevents them from easily performing daily tasks.
➡ Narcolepsy
Another of the very disabling sleep disorders. It is characterized by suffering sudden sleep attacks at any time of the day, regardless of the number of hours slept. It can be accompanied by cataplexy (sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone), hallucinations when falling asleep, and sleep paralysis, in which the person is conscious but cannot move.
Narcolepsy is associated with an orexin (hypocretin) deficiency, a brain substance that regulates sleep and wakefulness states. So when it is missing, an incorrect interference of some of the processes that regulate sleep while awake is produced. It also seems that narcolepsy has a hereditary and genetic component.
➡ Restless legs syndrome
It means a sleep disorder as a consequence of unpleasant sensations in the legs. It forces the person who suffers from it to move their legs constantly, which makes a proper rest difficult and, in many cases, makes it impossible to fall asleep easily.
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Other sleep disorders:
These sleep disorders are associated in many cases with suffering from some diseases such as diabetes mellitus, or Parkinson's, among others, and it can also occur during pregnancy.
➡ Sleepwalking
It is one of the sleep disorders, which makes the sleeping person get up, walk, and talk as if they were awake. The person is not really aware of this. Therefore, dangerous situations can occur that may make it necessary to close doors and windows to prevent accidents. After an episode of sleepwalking, it is normal to feel tired the next day. People should not be woken up while they are sleepwalking, to avoid sudden awakenings that put a lot of tension on those who suffer from them. Although it is recommended to accompany them back to bed so they can continue sleeping peacefully.
The manifestations of sleepwalking usually occur during the early stages of the night, and are more frequent in children and adolescents, with a tendency to disappear as they get older.
➡ Circadian rhythm disorder
It means suffering sleep alterations as a consequence of changes in sleep-wake patterns due to external circumstantial causes. Among this type of sleep disorders is that produced by the jet lag effect. A disorder produced on long trips with different time zones, rotating work shifts where sometimes you work during the day and other times at night, as well as people who present a time maladaptation, to sleep during the hours conventionally established by society.
➡ Insomnia
Within insomnia, you can also distinguish between primary and secondary insomnia. In this second case, the origin can be the consumption of drugs or substances such as: caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, or other intoxicating substances. Also caused by psychological problems such as depression, or organic diseases whose pain generates difficulty sleeping.
Some factors associated with primary insomnia are related to the worry that the problems falling asleep themselves cause. By trying to sleep and not succeeding, greater anxiety is generated and, in turn, prevents them from achieving it. It also seems that there are organic causes, such as an overactivation of the central nervous system, and a lesser reduction of the heart rate in the process of transitioning from the state of wakefulness to sleep.
In addition to another set of factors such as certain personality traits, such as perfectionism. Physical exercise helps improve sleep conditions in people with primary insomnia, in addition to being able to resort to psychotherapy and learn relaxation techniques.
Sleep problems
Apart from the sleep disorders or sleep diseases we have discussed, there are other sleep problems. These can have their origin in environmental factors. And if they are not corrected in time, they can lead to sleep pathologies and chronic disorders. Among them stand out:
➡ Sleep problems
Produced by excessive ambient noise, which affects people whose home is located in areas with a large amount of nighttime activity that prevents proper rest.
➡ Sleep disorders
Caused by excessively high or very low temperatures.
➡ Problems falling asleep
Due to the impossibility of resting properly on deteriorated mattresses , or with uncomfortable pillows that make it very difficult to sleep.
In any case, having optimal conditions when resting always helps to fall asleep and improves problems sleeping. For this, you need to have good sleep foundations, choose the best mattress and the pillow that best adapts to personal preferences. Also, having a well-ventilated place, with minimal lighting and free of noise. And with the most comfortable bedding that best helps you relax.
It is important to always go to bed and get up at the same time to create healthy habits within sleep hygiene. You should avoid heavy dinners, going to bed immediately without time to digest.
If you have difficulty falling asleep, learn to relax using one of the many techniques that exist. At Morfeo we recommend clearing your mind and choosing the mattress that best adapts to your way of sleeping.
