Are you sleeping enough?

Do you suffer from insomnia or often have a disturbed sleep. It’s time you got yourself checked for a sleep disorder.

Why is sleep important? 

Getting enough sleep is just as important as your breath and food, it plays a vital role in the working of the human body. Lack of peaceful sleep can cause fatigue, which can in turn affect your productivity, impacting your personal and professional life.

What is a sleep disorder? 

In medical terms, a sleep disorder is a condition where there is interference in sleep, which is serious enough to affect a human physically, mentally and emotionally. Sleep disorders have become common in today’s stressful times. It is very important to find out if you are suffering from any serious disorder, if you frequently have disturbed sleep.

Prevalence of sleep disorders:

Sleep disorders are common world over. Americans were the first to come up with a ‘sleep lab’ somewhere in 1970. In India, the concept came into existence when the first sleep lab was established in 1994 in New Delhi. As per a study conducted by Hinduja hospital, Mumbai, around 8% of the Indian population suffers from some kind of sleep disorder. Further study revealed that it is prevalent more among men, weighing 75-80 kg, with a collar size of 16-17 inches.

Common symptoms of a sleep disorder: 

• Insomnia: Inability to sleep at night, waking up earlier than usual time, fragmented sleep at night – are all characterized to be defined as symptoms of insomnia.
• Sleep apnoea: A condition that affects the way your breathe during sleep.
• Snoring: Narrowing of airway can cause snoring. It is disturbing for both you and your partner. Snoring, although classified as a symptom of sleep disorder, is not a serious symptom unless very severe. it is not considerable until it becomes serious.
• Narcolepsy: A condition in which a person suffers from uncontrollable sleepiness. A sudden bout of sleepiness, without warning and excessive sleep during daytime.
• Restless leg syndrome: A burning, itching or tickling sensations in the legs and limbs that makes you restless and pushes you to move your legs. A movement may make the condition moderate.
• Parasomnias: A condition with abnormal behaviour, movements and perceptions related to sleep. It includes sleep walking, bed wetting, sleep talking and teeth grinding while asleep.

Treatment of sleep disorders:

To study, evaluate, diagnose and treat all the above mentioned symptoms of sleep disorders, there are special centres called ‘sleep laboratories’, found in many cities today.

In a sleep laboratory, the patients sleep patterns, heart rate, rapid eye movements and brain impression are monitored. After analyzing the results, a specialist can help design a treatment.

Adopt a good sleep hygiene, it could help ease your sleeping disorder, especially in the case of insomnia:

• Stick to a regular bedtime schedule.
• Avoid napping during the day
• Avoid stressful activities and exercises before going to bed.
• Try relaxation techniques before you hit the sack at night.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet and cool.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine just before going to bed.

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