Probing Deeper into the Causes of Sleep Disorders

Sleep is essential for the restoration of normal bodily processes and functioning. Most people take for granted the idea that getting sufficient amounts of sleep is necessary. Poor sleeping habits can be potential causes of sleep disorders. Sleep disorders should not be considered as inconsequential because it can lead to a poor quality of life. Inadequate amounts or poor quality of sleep can actually cause you to be giddy and nervous, or you may become irritable and may have difficulty concentrating, to say the least. It is actually a butterfly effect as the main problem is inadequate rejuvenation for your whole system to function. nnIt can remarkable affect your daily normal activities as well as your social life. Sleep disorders are conditions wherein there is a variation in the normal sleep pattern. It can basically range from sleeplessness, oversleeping and intermittent sleep behaviors. Once sleep disorders become persistent, treatment must be taken into consideration as it will affect your normal activities and can impair your mental and physical functioning. Sleep disorders are categorized as dysomnias, parasomnias and others depending on the symptoms of the disorder. General sleep disorders are sleep apnea, snoring, bruxism, snoring and night walking. Causes of sleep disorders are generally categorized as internal, external and a disturbance in the normal circadian rhythm. nnInternal causes can be associated with organ related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal flux, fibrositis syndrome and peptic ulcer. Neck and back problems are also underlying causes of sleep disorders. Irregularities in brain functioning can also lead to these disorders. Central sleep apnea is due to a malfunctioning of the central nervous system and Alzheimer’s disease which is neurodegenerative can also cause erratic sleeping patterns. Sleep apnea and snoring are lung and airway related on the other hand. Sleep apnea can be alarming as this sleep disorder is a progressive disease. Sleep disorders can also be psychological or mental in nature. nnParanoia, bipolar syndrome, depression, panic attacks, anxiety and schizophrenia can disrupt normal sleeping patterns as the person almost always becomes sleepless or oversleeps due to medications. As a person’s mental state is significantly related to sleep, it goes without saying that sleep is essential for health and well-being. Changes in the endocrine system are also evident causes of sleep disorders. A person with thyroid problems can either have insomnia or may have the tendency to oversleep. Menopause can impose remarkable changes in sleeping patterns due to the altered physiological and hormonal processes in a woman’s body. The same can be said with pregnancy. nnOnce there is a disruption in the normal circadian rhythm, the regular sleeping pattern is disturbed, too. This is exemplified by shift workers developing health problems and sleep disorders as their so called biological clock is altered. External factors that could lead to sleep disorders are likewise lifestyle related, such as the intake of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Lighting, noise and change of bedding are also environmental factors that can lead to sleep irregularities. Certain medications such as Lotronex and Tramadol can also cause sleeping abnormalities. Treatment of sleep disorders are essentially dependent of its cause, so it is necessary to ascertain the underlying reasons for the sleep disorder. nnSleep disorders indicate other serious diseases in most cases as well, so careful monitoring and consultation are necessary once a sleep disorder besets you to prevent complications and aggravating health conditions.