Sleeping without Problems
Somnipathy or slaapproblemen (sleeping problem) or sleep disorder is a medical condition in which eccentric behavioral patterns are observed in the sleep state of a person. Sleep problems or disorders are commonly detected by a test known as ‘polysomnography’. Sleep disorders can be as common as talking in the sleep to so severe that it can alter the normal physical, psychological, and emotional functioning of the body. Most of these problems occur during the sleep-wake overgang (transition). It is the time in which one transgresses from one sleep state to the other, i.e., from being semi-awake to completely deep in sleep.
The disorders may arise from plenty of problems—night terrors, a bright light in the room, noise, teeth grinding etc. The other two bizarre types of sleep disorders are insomnia (inability to sleep) and hypersomnia (excessive sleeping). Sleep disturbances can be treated by changing sleeping habits, psychological sessions or medicinal treatment.
Sleep disorders include:
- Insomnia – The inability to sleep or staying asleep.
- Bruxism – Grinding of one’s teeth in sleep. It is an involuntary action.
- DSPS – Jet lag or irregular work shifts cause delayed sleep phase syndrome which make a person sleep or wake up late at unacceptable times.
- Hypopnea – Slow respiration or shallow breathing when asleep.
- Narcolepsy – It is the excessive sleeping during daytime. May also be classified as hyposomnia.
- Cataplexy – This causes a sudden weakness or paralysis of the motor muscles in sleep which may cause a collapse or fall, to the floor.
- Night terror – Mostly associated with watching or reading horror movies/fiction! One feels terrorized to go to sleep and wakes up abruptly in fear.
- Parasomnias – Inappropriate actions during sleep like talking and terror at night.
- Periodic limb movement – Sudden unwilling movement of the extremities—both arms and legs, in sleep.
- Rapid eye movement – Mostly related to dreams. Causes nightmares or violent dreams which cause a person to wake up.
- Restless Legs disorder – Continuous movement or jerking of legs.
- Sleep paralysis – A complete paralysis of the body including visual, auditory and tactile senses after falling into deep sleep. Also causes hallucinations.
- Sleep walking – Walking, eating, dressing in sleep without being consciously aware.
- Nocturia – Frequent urination at night causing difficulty in sleeping.
- Somniphobia – Fear of falling asleep.
The treatment of these sleep disorders can be behavioral, management of sleeping habits, medications, psychotherapeutic treatments etc. Consult your doctor to choose what is best for you.
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