Everyone needs adequate sleep to have optimal health, good moods, and balanced hormonal levels and be able to go through their days alert and active. However, millions of people are unable to get quality sleep every night and as a result, they spend their days feeling tired and drowsy, thus never able to tap into their full productivity.
Though there are a wide variety of sleep problems, there are a few of them that are the most rampant, and sometimes, once you knew what it is that it making you not have good sleep, you can always work towards resolving the underlying issue so that you can look forward to every night, knowing that you will have a good night’s rest.
Here is a brief look at some of the common sleep problems and what you can do to solve them –
Insomnia
If someone mentions that they have a sleep problem, it is insomnia that will come into the minds of many people. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders amongst grownups and it is estimated that half of the American population suffer from it. Insomnia, as a sleep disorder, is mainly attributed to stress. Sometimes it is not easy to stop thinking about the happenings of the previous day or being worried about what may happen tomorrow. It can also be caused by other factors such as jetlag when you are just on a trip, certain medications and health conditions such as depression amongst others.
The easiest and the quickest way to shield your mind from those nightly thoughts that make you suffer from insomnia is to change your lifestyle habits and check for sleep hygiene guidelines. It is also recommended that you get engaged in a lot of physical exercises so that come bedtime, you will be tired to think about anything else than to fall asleep. You can also read, write, or meditate as a means of blocking all those unwanted thoughts should they start knocking on your door.
Sometimes the lack of sleep is due to discomfort while sleeping. Maybe the mattress is old and is no longer comfortable or the bed is too old and makes deafening sounds with every turn you make. As such, it is imperative to invest in your comfort in the bedroom. Get quality mattress and pillows from Puffy and also think about getting a new bed if the one you are currently using is in its sunset years.
Snoring
Occasional snoring may not necessarily be a big issue, but if it is persistent, it may be a nuisance to a sleeping partner or those sharing the room. However, if snoring becomes habitual, medical assistance should be sought in good time to enable you to have a good sleep at night.
Snoring happens when the flow of air between the nose and the mouth is obstructed. Some of these blockages may be caused by medical conditions such as sinuses, deviation of the septum, or a weak muscle block in the tongue or in the throat. It is also common to find overweight people with bulky through tissues also being affected by snoring at night. For such cases, it is recommended that you consult a sleep specialist to help find solutions for preventing or controlling the snoring.
There are also instances of snoring which is caused by temporary blockage of the air passage as a result of poor sleeping position. If this is the case, once the sleeping position is improved, the flow of air will be back on track the snoring will stop. This is why it is important to know how to sleep well also invest in quality bedding such as mattresses and pillows by Puffy.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder believed to be affecting over 20 million Americans. It is estimated to be the second sleep order affecting most Americans after insomnia. The condition happens when there is paused breathing or one experiences shallow breathing when they sleep. Sleep apnea causes a serious strain on the heart muscles and sometimes it can be the forerunner of a myriad of heart conditions. Any signs of sleep apnea should never be taken lightly and it is imperative for one to seek medical assistance as soon as its signs are noted.
Narcolepsy
This is a neurological condition occasioned by erratic control of poor-wake cycles. People with this condition tend to fall asleep anywhere so long as they find the environment to be comfortable. The condition usually affects people between the ages of between 15 years and 25 years, though it can affect people at any age. The probable treatment for narcolepsy include medications, therapy or lifestyle adjustments. If anyone has the tendency of falling asleep just anyhow whenever they feel comfortable, it is imperative for them to see a sleep specialist as soon as possible.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder
This disorder happens when the circadian rhythm or a person’s internal body clock responsible for regulating the 24-hour body processes is disrupted. The normal internal clock is usually dictated by the periods of light and dark in a typical day.
There are many factors that may lead to this disruption, with the most common ones including pregnancy, shift at a workplace, mental conditions, medical issues, medications, changes in time zones, and much more. The best approach to deal with this condition is by visiting a sleep specialist to recommend therapy which will feature external stimulus therapy and thorough sleep hygiene techniques.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder
This is a sleeping disorder caused by lack of sync between the biological clock and the work schedule. It is a common problem amongst those who have to work early in the morning, at night or those with regular rotating schedules. Though some people adapt well to such changes in their shifts, a good number are still unable to cope and if they don’t sleep at night, they will always be exhausted. If you suffer from this disorder, it is important to try and regulate the lighting conditions when you sleep so that you can trick the body that it is already night time, hence, time to sleep. You may also have to do away with blue lights before sleeping so that the body can adjust quickly to the new sleep pattern.
