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About 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep or wakefulness disorders. Sleep deficiency and untreated sleep disorders are associated with a growing number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. Sleep disorders can also be costly. Each year sleep disorders, sleep deprivation, and sleepiness add to the …
Why do I have trouble sleeping for no reason?
Sleep problems can be due to a long-term or chronic illness, such as diabetes, arthritis, HIV /AIDS, lupus, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
How are sleep problems linked to chronic illnesses treated?
· People who have trouble sleeping are more likely to develop PTSD – as well as other mental illnesses, potentially – when they’re placed in stressful situations, such as military deployment in a combat zone. Light therapy to improve sleep and mental health Treating sleep disorders involves getting a detailed sleep history from patients.
Why therapy for sleep disorders and not medication?
Insomnia can be caused by a sleep disorder, a physical disorder, or a psychiatric disorder. Many common sleep problems can be treated with behavioral treatments and an increased attention to proper sleep hygiene. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your sleep patterns.
How does lack of sleep affect a person's health?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely-used therapy for sleep disorders. It may be conducted individually, in a group of people with similar sleeping problems, or even online. Since the causes and symptoms of sleep disorders vary considerably, CBT should always ...
Are most sleep disorders treatable?
These sleeping problems may eventually go away once treatment is obtained for the underlying cause. When sleep disorders aren't caused by another condition, treatment normally involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
Can sleep disorders be life threatening?
Sleep disorders may not be deadly, but they affect your quality of life so often and so severely that they can disrupt your thinking, weight, school/work performance, mental health and your general physical health.
Do sleep disorders go away without treatment?
But sleep disorders don't disappear without treatment. Treatment may be behavioral (for example, going to sleep and waking at the same time every day, scheduling naps or losing weight), pharmacological (involving medication), surgical or a combination.
What are the risks of sleep disorders?
The cumulative long-term effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.
How common is death from sleep apnea?
It's well known in medical circles that an estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with the vast majority of cases still undiagnosed. Some statistics on sleep apnea mortality estimate that at least 38,000 people die annually from heart disease directly complicated by sleep apnea.
What can happen if sleep apnea goes untreated?
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems including hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the muscle tissue of the heart), heart failure, diabetes, obesity and heart attacks.
How do you deal with sleep disorders?
Basic tips:Stick to a sleep schedule. Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent from day to day, including on weekends.Stay active. ... Check your medications. ... Avoid or limit naps. ... Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol and don't use nicotine. ... Don't put up with pain. ... Avoid large meals and beverages before bed.
What percentage of the population has a sleep disorder?
It is believed that between 30% and 48%20 of older adults suffer from insomnia. Women have a lifetime risk of insomnia that is as much as 40% higher21 than that of men. As many as 15-30% of males22 and 10-30% of females23 meet a broad definition of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
How can sleep disorders be prevented?
Some habits that can improve your sleep health:Be consistent. ... Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the bedroom.Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.Get some exercise.
How do sleep disorders affect daily life?
Sleep disorders are associated with impaired mental health and physical health, as well as a reduced quality of life. Various negative daytime consequences include sleepiness, depressed mood, social isolation and decreased productivity.
What causes sleep disorders?
Factors that can cause sleep problems include: Physical disturbances (for example, chronic pain from arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia) Medical issues (for example, sleep apnea) Psychiatric disorders (for example, depression and anxiety disorders)
Who is at risk for sleep deprivation?
People with certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes, stroke, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, are more likely to be affected by sleep deprivation. Excessive consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs also increases the risk of sleep deprivation.