Whilst some of us can get into bed and fall asleep within minutes and wake up feeling refreshed, many struggle to adopt good sleeping habits, possibly putting ourselves at risk of common sleep disorders. Whilst regular exercise can help reduce symptoms of the likes of insomnia and narcolepsy, there are treatments available to those who suffer from their effects. With that in mind, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most common sleep disorders and their causes below.
5 Common Sleep Disorders and their Causes
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Insomnia
Individuals who suffer from insomnia usually experience regular sleeping problems that may result in trouble sleeping. Staying active and avoiding naps during the day are just two ways you can reduce your symptoms, in addition to limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake. It’s also recommended that you avoid large meals before bed, which may be unknowingly speeding up the body’s functions when you’re instead trying to rest.
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Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy affects the brain’s capability to control our sleeping and waking cycle, whereby individuals may suffer from feeling rested when they awake but experience fatigue throughout the day. Whilst there are some treatments that may help to reduce your symptoms, a cure is yet to be found for Narcolepsy so it’s recommended to maintain good lifestyle choices to reduce its impact. Sleeping and waking up at the same time each day is just one of the things recommended to those who are diagnosed with the chronic neurological disorder.
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RLS
Restless legs syndrome or RLS is the profused desire to move your legs. Some people also experience an uncomfortable crawling feeling in their feet and are unable to fight the resistance to move. Whilst there are a handful of health conditions that may trigger restless leg syndrome, there are some at-home treatments you can try to ease your symptoms. Soaking in the bath, applying cool packs to your legs, reducing your caffeine intake and exercising, such as by using Under Desk Treadmills, may help.
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Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing while you rest. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea and involves the muscles that support the soft tissue in your throat. As these muscles relax, your airway may close or become narrow, stopping your breathing briefly. Whilst sleep apnea doesn’t go away, exercising regularly, avoiding sleeping on your bag and losing weight can reduce your risk.
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Snoring
Snoring is a very common problem, with 45% of adults snoring occasionally and almost half (25%) snoring on a regular basis. It’s usually a result of your mouth, throat, tongue, or airways relaxing as you sleep, though you may be more likely to snore if you are overweight. This is because when you lay down, your upper airway becomes compressed, making it much more likely. To reduce your snoring, try sleeping on your side instead of your back, stopping smoking and limiting your alcohol intake.
