Sleep Disorders Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

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Sleep Disorders Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

According to The Star newspaper report on 23 June 2022, Malaysia Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that Malaysia will establish one-stop centers for sleep-related issues in 40 hospitals within five years. He said the number of hospitals with these 40 facilities was also small compared to the number of patients requiring them.

It is true that more and more people encounter sleep disorder problems nowadays. When you have a sleep disorder, the first thing that your doctor will want to check is your condition. The doctor will perform a physical examination and pay particular attention to neurological, breathing, and mouth and throat conditions. Sleep disorders usually cause fatigue, which affects a person's ability to think, balance, and coordinate. These symptoms will be reflected in your sleep-wake cycle. If you are constantly fatigued, you may need to take naps to stay refreshed.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Among the causes of restless legs syndrome is dysfunction of the basal ganglia, which control movement. Dopamine is the brain chemical that controls smooth muscle activity and purposeful movement. Other disorders affecting the dopamine pathways include Parkinson's disease and insomnia. In addition to genetics, sleep disorders such as apnea and sleep deprivation can trigger restless legs syndrome. Therefore, eliminating these conditions from the patient's lifestyle can help manage the symptoms.

Narcolepsy Symptoms

The symptoms of narcolepsy vary from person to person, though they generally involve excessive daytime sleepiness. The individual will wake up refreshed, but their alertness during the day will decrease. The first symptom is extreme daytime sleepiness, which makes it difficult to function during the day. Other symptoms include cataplexy and a sudden loss of muscle tone. The person may experience weakness in most of their muscles, including the jaw, eyes, and tongue. Cataplexy is a potentially dangerous symptom of narcolepsy and can occur many times in a day or just a few times a year. Certain antidepressants can trigger this condition.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

While REM sleep behavior disorder symptoms are often not a cause for alarm, it is often a source of relationship conflict and physical injury. Sadly, more than two-thirds of couples continue to sleep together despite the potential for disturbed sleep. If you're experiencing symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder, it's time to seek treatment. Read on to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms and how to deal with the disorder.

Medications That Cause Sleep Disorders

Some medications may also cause sleep disorders. Antidepressants inhibit the activity of an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is essential for alertness, memory, thought, and judgment. However, blocking this neurotransmitter can affect other involuntary body processes, including sleep-related movements. If you have insomnia, ask your doctor about the use of these drugs and whether they can cause sleep disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment

Among the many treatments for sleep disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely used. This therapy can be done individually, in a group with others who have the same sleep problems, or even online. Because the causes of sleep disorders are different, cognitive behavioral therapy is tailored to the person's specific problem. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is a type of therapy that focuses on helping a person develop healthy sleeping habits. This therapy can be very helpful for people who suffer from insomnia.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

According to Health Minister Khairy, sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing during sleep, with about 15% to 30% of Malaysians suffering from the sleep apnea problem.

There are several sleep apnea treatments, each aiming to address different aspects of the disorder. The first step in diagnosing central sleep apnea is a standard sleep study, or polysomnogram. In a polysomnogram, your body's electroencephalogram (EEG) is recorded and can show the amount of effort required to breathe. During the sleep study, you will be monitored for pauses in breathing, which are called apneic events. During these pauses, you may not feel fully awake and may experience a brief arousal from sleep. The pauses in breathing can be accompanied by a drop in blood oxygen levels, too.

Sleep disorders conditions include excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular breathing or increased movement during sleep. If you are unable to fall asleep and stay asleep, check with your doctor for a sleep study and treatment based on your sleep condition.

The Air Station

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Slumber problems can make a person experience extremely tired. To be able to be physically fit, one needs to get proper rest so that eventually they do not lose out on their great health.