AD| Sleep… it is something that we all need but do not often get enough of! We are all told that we need to make sure we get between 6 and 8 hours of restorative sleep every evening. However, it is often not that easy. While some people drift off to sleep with ease, other people find it incredibly difficult to do so.

For some people, though, going to bed can be a nightly struggle because they have sleeping problems. In this blog post, we are going to take a look at some of the most common types of sleep disorders in further detail to help you get a better understanding.

Restless legs syndrome

Often shortened to RLS, restless legs syndrome is a type of sleep disorder that results in an intense, and typically irresistible urge to move your legs.

This sensation tends to be brought on when someone is resting, for example, when sitting for a prolonged period of time or lying down in bed. RLS tends to happen throughout the evening, which makes it challenging to get to sleep and then stay asleep. 

RLS can often be associated with problems such as concentration, irritability, and daytime sleepiness. Often, when someone has restless legs syndrome, they want to shake their legs or walk around so that they can get rid of the uncomfortable sensation. 

Insomnia

Insomnia is a condition whereby the person regularly has trouble getting to sleep. Changing your sleeping habits is typically beneficial. According to the NHS, you have insomnia if the following applies:

• You find it hard to get to sleep
• You’re too tired to concentrate properly during the day
• You feel irritable and tired during the day
• You find it hard to nap during the day, even though you’re tired
• You still feel tired after you have woken up
• You wake up early and then you cannot get back to sleep
• You lie awake at night
• You wake up several times throughout the night 

There are a number of causes of insomnia. This includes shift work, jet lag, recreational drug use, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, uncomfortable beds, a room that is too hot or cold, noise, depression, anxiety, and stress. By changing your sleeping habits and focusing on the root cause, you can help your situation to improve. 

Of course, insomnia can be a knock-on effect that happens because something else is going on in your body. For example, if you have a hormone imbalance, this can result in feelings of stress and the inability to get to sleep. Therefore, by looking into different treatment options, such as TRT for male hormone imbalance, you will be able to get the help you need and this can assist you in terms of sleeping better as well. 

Sleep apnea

What is sleep apnea? This is a condition whereby the walls of your throat relax and narrow while you’re sleeping. This is problematic because it interrupts your normal breathing, which can cause you to wake up. 

It is a common condition, and sleep apnea symptoms include repeated short periods where breathing is interrupted by snorting or gasping, laboured and noisy breathing, and loud snoring. There are also a number of causes of this condition, including nasal congestion, having a family history of sleep apnea, the menopause, smoking, alcohol, having an unusual inner neck structure, and taking medicines with a sedative effect. 

Other causes include having a large neck, being a woman over the age of 40-years-old, being male, and being overweight. 

Circadian rhythm disorders

Circadian rhythm is the name given to what we refer to as our internal body clock. Therefore, circadian rhythm disorders simply mean that we do not adopt a typical sleeping cycle. 

Common reasons for this condition include menopause, mental health problems, medical issue, changes in routine, medications, time zone changes, pregnancy, and shift work. To treat this condition, therapy is often needed. 

This tends to be a combination of external stimulus therapy, for example, chronotherapy or bright light therapy, as well as proper sleep hygiene techniques. 

Final words on the common sleep problems people experience today

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of some of the most common sleep problems that people experience today. If you are experiencing any of the issues that have been mentioned above, it is a good idea to book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to advise on the best steps for you to ensure you can get a better night’s sleep.