Sleep Disorders Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Sleep disturbance is any form of condition when, in terms of quantity and quality, the process of sleeping properly and perfectly a person is not fulfilled. There are many types of sleep disorders.
Based on the category, sleep disorders can be divided into:
- Insomnia, which is a disorder in the form of difficulty sleeping or difficulty maintaining sleep.
- Hypersomnia, which is a sleep disorder in the form of excessive sleep.
- Sleep-related breathing disorders is a sleep disorder in the form of difficulty breathing during sleep.
- Circadian rhythm sleep-wake cycle disorder, which is a sleep disorder in the form of sleep times outside the normal time.
- Parasomnia is a sleep disorder in the form of unwanted events that occur when going to sleep, sleep, or wake up.
- Sleep movement disorders, which are sleep disturbances in the form of movements during or before going to sleep that make it difficult for a person to fall asleep, maintain sleep or do not sleep soundly.
Symptom
The symptoms experienced by people with sleep disorders vary, depending on the type of sleep disorder. For example, in people who have difficulty sleeping (insomnia), generally sufferers often need more than 30 minutes to be able to fall asleep. In addition, they can only sleep for six hours or less, at least three days in a row a month or more.
People with sleep disorders usually have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Hard to get to sleep
- Waking up frequently at night and having a hard time getting back to sleep
- Waking up too early
- Feeling tired and sleepy the next day
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating
- Experiencing snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep
- Vulnerable psychological conditions, such as irritability, irritability, depression, or easy mood swings
- Feeling dizzy at night or in the morning
Reason
There are several factors that cause sleep disturbances. Starting from psychological conditions, biological conditions, drug and alcohol use, environmental factors, and bad or unhealthy habits that someone with sleep disorders is not aware of.
These factors rarely stand alone. An example is the factor of certain physical conditions that can trigger psychological problems. Vice versa. Psychological factors can also affect the central nervous system so as to make the physical condition always alert, such as when anxious, tense or stressed. This condition then makes sleep quality worse.
Diagnosis
Doctors generally determine the presence of sleep disturbances by gathering information from patients about the symptoms they are feeling. Given the many factors that can cause sleep disturbances, further evaluation is needed to determine the cause. Including exploring the various possible medical conditions that underlie sleep difficulties.
Doctors who specialize in sleep disorders are now using a tool called polysomnography at night ( overnight polysomnography ) to monitor a person’s sleep condition. The monitoring device is installed on the body of the patient who stays at the sleep disorder clinic to record the electrical activity of the brain, eyes, chin muscles, heart, oxygen saturation meter, air flow, snoring recorder and breathing efforts of the chest and abdominal muscles.
Physical examination and support for sleep disorders usually aims to determine and analyze the condition of brain waves, eye movement, snoring, chin muscle tension, nasal airflow, chest and abdominal breathing movements, blood oxygen levels, heart rhythm, and leg movements. This series of examinations will determine the type of sleep disturbance that occurs and the treatment steps needed.
Treatment
Sleep disorders need to find out exactly the underlying cause. Thus, the treatment given can be appropriate and on target. The best therapy is to address the cause. As long as the underlying cause is still present, you will continue to experience sleep disturbances.
In general, the treatment of insomnia is divided into two major groups, namely:
- Behavior change (behavior therapy)
Behavior therapy is the first-line therapy to treat insomnia. This therapy can be done by building good sleep habits. For example, by making a regular sleep schedule, avoiding activities that can keep you awake, and creating a comfortable environment for sleeping.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
This therapy helps you control or reduce the negative thoughts and anxiety that keep you awake.
- Relaxation techniques
Muscle relaxation and breathing exercises can reduce anxiety disorders.
- Stimulus control therapy
This therapy aims to limit activities in bed that keep you awake. In addition, you will also be asked to make the bed only for sleeping and sexual activity. Not for reading, working, watching TV, or eating.
- Administering drugs Medicines
are given if insomnia or sleep disturbances are not successfully treated with therapy. Sleeping pills should only be given by a doctor and under the supervision of a doctor. Doctors usually do not recommend long-term use of sleeping pills.
Prevention
Maintaining sleep hygiene or healthy sleep patterns will greatly help prevent sleep disorders. Some of the things you can do, are:
- Uses bed only for sleeping (avoid working, studying, watching TV in bed).
- Avoid consuming caffeine from the afternoon until bedtime.
- Follow a relaxation routine before going to bed.
- Exercising properly and regularly.
- Create the same sleep and wake schedule every day. Avoid waking up too late on weekends.
- Make conditions as comfortable as possible for sleeping, such as using a night light, blindfold, avoiding noise, television, and so on. Sleeping in a dark room is better than a light one.
- Avoid using sleeping pills, especially without a doctor’s advice. Sleeping pills are only effective for a while and excessive use will actually reduce the effectiveness of these drugs.