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Sunday 11 August 2013

Recommendations On Treatment of Sleep Disorders


By Maire Stimpson


There are hundreds of sleep disorders from which an individual may suffer. Some people find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. There are also those who never develop healthy sleeping habits, although the reason for this is not known, and they subsequently find themselves in a continuous struggle to acquire enough rest. Insomnia and other sleep disorders resolve on their own for certain individuals; however, treatments such as medication and behavioral therapy are necessary for others.

Most medical professionals state that approximately 1/3 of all adults have experienced insomnia at least once throughout the course of their life, and about 12 percent of individuals suffer from a chronic form of the disorder. Regardless of whether one's condition is transient or ongoing, however, insomniacs typically have trouble falling asleep and often awaken too early or at multiple times throughout the night. The side effects of the disorder include headaches, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and daytime fatigue.

Sometimes sleeping difficulties are idiopathic, which means that they occur for no known reason. However, sleeplessness can also be the result of medication side effects or the symptom of an underlying health condition. Some examples of substances that interfere with sleep include alcohol, caffeine, antidepressants and nicotine.

Certain insomniacs are clinically depressed and their sleeping difficulties are merely a symptom of their illness. In addition, people suffering from gastroesophageal problems frequently battle insomnia. Treatments are usually recommended based on the underlying cause of the individual's disorder, if such a cause has been identified by a physician.

If the condition is thought to be transient, behavioral therapy such as muscle relaxation and visualization may be prescribed. Doing breathing exercises and deliberately releasing muscle tension can help those with insomnia to fall asleep. Other treatments include sleeping pills such as Ambien, ramelteon or Lunesta.

Narcolepsy is another type of sleeping disorder that affects certain individuals. It is thought to be related to a malfunction of the person's nervous system, which causes him or her to fall asleep suddenly at inopportune moments. During an episode of narcolepsy, the person may also lose muscle tone or feel as if he or she is paralyzed. Additionally, in severe cases, the individual may experience hallucinations.

Medical experts also cite night terrors as a nervous system condition that causes sleeplessness. Those suffering from this disorder frequently awaken after an especially troubling nightmare and usually remain alert for several hours following the incident. Night terrors typically strike between 12 AM and 3 AM, and are seen far more often in youngsters than adults.

Sleeping studies are often completed on insomniacs in an attempt to determine the precise type of condition from which they are suffering. This enables healthcare practitioners to recommend the most appropriate treatment. However, certain individuals find it difficult to sleep in an unfamiliar environment, thus making such tests impractical for some insomniacs.

Most physicians, when initially evaluating an insomniac, will order certain tests to rule out underlying health conditions that may be at the root of the problem. This is why it is essential for those who are experiencing insomnia and other sleep disorders to seek the advice of a medical professional.




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