Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorder, also known as somnipathy, is an actual medical disorder of the normal functioning sleep patterns. Some sleep disorders can in fact be serious enough to interfere with physical, mental and emotional performance and functioning. There are over 100 sleep disorders that have been identified by the medical community, but there is till much to uncover in this debilitating condition.

Sleep disorders can be categorized into four groups:

• 1.) Insomnia. A sleep condition where someone has trouble falling or staying asleep. It's one of the most common medical complaints among adults, especially with the elderly and women. With insomnia, you usually awaken feeling unrefreshed, which takes a toll on your ability to function during the day. Insomnia can sap not only your energy level and mood, but also your health, work performance and quality of life. - Insomnia is generally classified based on the duration of the problem. Not everyone agrees on one definition, but generally: i. symptoms lasting less than one week are classified as transient insomnia, ii. symptoms between one to three weeks are classified as short-term insomnia, and iii. those longer than three weeks are classified as chronic insomnia.
• 2.) Sleep Apnea. This is when a person experiences breathing interruptions during sleep. There are three types of apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed; of the three, obstructive is the most common.
• 3.) Restless Leg Syndrome. RLS is a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you're sitting or lying down, motivating you to get up and move around thus interfering with sleep.
• 4.) Narcolepsy. A chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.

Sources:
[emedicinehealth.com/]
[sleepapnea.org]
[MedlinePlus.com]
[MayoClinic.com]

Research on sleep disorders:

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), sleep is an essential factor for a person’s health and well-being. Over five years of thorough research performed by NSF shows that at least 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders, and 60 percent of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. Most of those with these problems go undiagnosed and untreated. In addition, more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month - with 20 percent reporting problem sleepiness a few days a week or more. Furthermore, 69 percent of children experience one or more sleep problems a few nights or more during a week. NSF’s renowned psychologist Charles M. Morin, Ph.D., a Professor in the Psychology Department and Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at University Laval in Quebec, Canada says that ten percent of adults suffer from chronic insomnia.

In a survey performed by the National Sleep Foundation, 54% of adults said they've experienced at least one symptom of insomnia at least a few times a week. Also, another survey that they conducted in 2008 found that many people say that their symptoms affect their daily activities at least a few days a week. In fact:

• * 73% found that trouble falling or staying asleep impacts their mood.
• * 63% found that trouble falling or staying asleep impacts their concentration.
• * 42% found that trouble falling or staying asleep impacts their family relationships.
• * 36% found that trouble falling or staying asleep impacts their job performance

[shuteye.com]
[sleepfoundation.org]

The information presented is for informational purposes only. Any consumer should consult their doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problems/questions and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.