What You Need to Know About Sleeping Disorders
Those who suffer from a sleeping disorder understand that the loss of sleep can cause problems at home or on the job. It can lead to serious or even fatal accidents. The National Sleep Foundation notes that:
- Between 50 and 70 million U.S. adults have some type of sleep or wakefulness disorder
- Sleep problems often get worse as you get older
- Poor sleep costs billions of dollars a year in healthcare expenses and lost productivity
- About 20% of motor vehicle crashes are linked to drowsy driving, with a total of about 300,000 police-reported crashes, over 100,000 injuries, and as many as 6,400 deaths each year
Types of sleep disorders
There are many types of sleep disorders. They can affect health and quality of life. The disorders include:
- Insomnia
- Narcolepsy
- Night terror
- Nightmares
- Restless legs syndrome
- Sleep apnea
- Sleepwalking
- Snoring
- Wetting the bed
Why is sleep important?
Sleep is more than simply resting or stepping away from daily routines. Richard Jordan MD, PIH Health internist says, “Sleep plays a vital role in overall health. Adequate sleep helps the body heal and recover from illness and injury, while ongoing lack of sleep has been linked to serious health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease”.
The mental benefits of sleep are also important. Sleep problems can make daily life feel more stressful and less productive. Some people with chronic trouble sleeping (insomnia) are more likely to have mental health problems. Sleep problems are also tied to depression. And people with insomnia may have trouble doing tasks that use memory and learning.
How much sleep do you need?
Sleep needs vary from person to person, and your needs change over the course of your life. But most healthy adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. You may need more or better sleep if you:
- Have trouble staying alert during quiet activities
- Are irritable with coworkers, family, or friends
- Have trouble focusing or remembering facts
- Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or you wake up early and can't get back to sleep
Getting treatment for a sleep disorder
Sleep disorders are treated by a few different types of medical specialists, depending on the symptoms or cause. You may be treated by a doctor who specializes in:
- Primary care
- Ear, nose, and throat
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Psychiatry or psychology
- Pulmonary medicine
Your primary care physician can recommend a care solution or refer you to a specialist for further treatment. Visit PIHHealth.org/Doctors to find a doctor near you.
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