SLEEP APNEA

Frequent loud "snoring" is a sign of Sleep Apnea, a disorder where one "gasps for breath while asleep". Pauses in the airflow results in a drop in the oxygen level and the brain responds by "frequent awakenings during sleep". A major sign of sleep apnea is "excessive daytime sleepiness". Other symptoms include morning headaches, memory issues, depression, irritation, sore throat which if unnoticed can lead to high BP, heart attack, neurological disorder, etc.

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Gasping for breath while asleep
• Frequent awakenings during sleep
• Waking with dry mouth or sore throat
• Snoring and Morning headache
• Frequent night time urination- Fatigue

NARCOLEPSY & HYPERSOMNIA

Apart from Sleep Apnea, "excessive daytime sleepiness" disorder includes Narcolepsy and Hypersomnia. Symptoms of Narcolepsy include irresistible sleepiness and brief sleep duration, accompanied by sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, etc. The causes of both the disorders are unknown, but there is evidence that it occurs due to genetic disorders. "Treatments for narcolepsy" are a combination of behavioral changes and medicines based on the individual symptoms. The duration of "narcolepsy treatment" can vary from person-to-person.

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Constant need for daytime naps
• Sleep paralysis
• Hallucinations
• Cataplexy
• etc...

INSOMNIA

Waking up early, "waking during the night", feeling fatigued, are the symptoms of Insomnia. Insomnia can be classified as primary (unable to sleep) and secondary ("difficulty falling asleep" because of health reasons like asthma, heartburn, etc.). The reasons could be stress, emotional or physical problems, and environmental factors. "Treatment for insomnia" includes diagnosing health problems causing insomnia. If insomnia persists, Relaxation Exercise, Reconditioning, Sleep Restriction Therapy are some of the other "insomnia treatment" techniques...

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking during the night
• Waking too early
• Daytime fatigue
• Tension headaches
• Irritability / depression / anxiety

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDER

It is disturbance in sleep patterns due to disruption in the 'internal body clock' which can lead to insomnia. "Circadian rhythm sleep disorders" can be categorized as: Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (common in teenagers and youngsters that results in "falling asleep late"), There are various treatments based on the type of disorders.

• Fall asleep late, difficulty waking up on time
• Fall asleep early, wake up too early
• Shift work sleep disorder
• Jet lag/rapid time zone change

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME (RLS)

Many are not aware that "insomnia symptoms" can lead to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), a disorder of the nervous system that causes "discomfort in legs and arms". However, "treatment for restless leg syndrome" can improve this disorder.

• Discomfort in legs and arms
• Begins during inactivity
• Urge to move
• Relief by movement
• Worsening symptoms in evening