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Insomnia is very common

July 4th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Can’t get to sleep? While you’re lying there wide awake, you’re sharing your insomnia problem with millions of other people.

Just about everyone suffers from insomnia on occasion and the inability to sleep, or sleep for any length of time, can leave the person feeling unrested, irritable and in some cases unable to think clearly. However, in most the inability to sleep is transient and generally only occurs once or twice week.

The causes of insomnia vary from person to person, but common causes include stress, pain, depression or for unknown reasons. People who travel frequently may suffer what is called jet lag and their circadian clock, an internal mechanism that tells the body it needs rest, may be off causing a loss of sleep. This and short-term anxiety can cause transient insomnia which can last from one night to a few weeks. Acute insomnia can last from a few weeks to six months.

The most serious is acute insomnia, which can cause the loss of sleep every night for at least a month. Medical professionals will attempt to determine the cause for the lack of sleep and cure the underlying cause. An overactive mind or some type of physical pain is generally associated with transient insomnia.

It has been estimated that at least 60 percent of American suffer from transient insomnia, with up to 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men having trouble sleeping on occasion. The common thought that as a person ages their need for sleep lessens is disregarded by most sleep disorder specialists. They say that across the board Americans get an average of seven hours of sleep each night while doctors recommend seven to 10 hours.

There are some who confuse poor quality sleep, such as sleep apnea, with insomnia, which causes people to have trouble breathing while they sleep. This causes them to wake up numerous times throughout the night and most times they do not know they are awake. All they know is that they are extremely sleepy throughout the day. Sleep specialists can determine this cause and help find a remedy to enable the person to sleep soundly throughout the night.

In very rare cases, a hereditary illness called fatal familial insomnia will cause a person to totally be unable to sleep, usually resulting in death within about two years following onset of the problem. There is no known cure for this ailment, which can easily be passed to subsequent generations.

Sleep Eating Disorder - eating at night

June 22nd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

There are many different types of sleep disorders, including insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome, and narcolepsy.  Eating disorders have also received a lot of attention lately.  From anorexia nervosa, to bulimia, to binge eating; there are several serious eating disorders that have been the subject of public awareness. 

However, few people are aware of sleep eating disorder.  Sleep eating disorder are just as serious at any sleep disorder or eating disorder alone.  And because there is not nearly so much public awareness, sleep eating disorder often go unrecognized or undiagnosed.  The two main types of sleep eating disorder are Night Eating Syndrome and Nocturnal Sleep-Related Disorder.

Night Eating Syndrome

Night Eating Syndrome is one sleep eating disorder.  Only about 1 to 2 per cent of adults suffer from Night Eating Syndrome; however, it is suggested that approximately 27 per cent of people who are obese or overweight are afflicted with Night Eating Syndrome.  People with Night Eating Syndrome eat more than half of their daily caloric intake between the meals of dinner and breakfast. 

Oftentimes, such persons will be visibly upset or ashamed of how much they have eaten; it is common for afflicted persons to avoid breakfast.  This sleep eating disorder is not a binge-like behavior; it is actually continuous eating throughout the night.  Night Eating Syndrome has been attributed to stress, and depression often occurs as a result.  People with this sleep eating disorder may have difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep; whatever the case, they awake often to eat.

Nocturnal Sleep-Related Disorder

Nocturnal Sleep-Related Disorder is another sleep eating disorder.  This sleep disorder differs from Night Eating Syndrome in that people who are affected by Nocturnal Sleep-Related Disorder eat food at night while they are sound asleep.  Similar to sleep walking, people have no memories or awareness of what occurred the night before.  Only 1 to 3 per cent of the population seems to be subject to Nocturnal Sleep-Related Disorder.  People with this sleep eating disorder are often tired throughout the day, and it is common for those who are affected to be on a diet throughout the day.  There are ways to treat Nocturnal Sleep-Related Disorder, but it is recommended that sleeping pills should be avoided.

If you think that you are suffering from a sleep eating disorder, you should consult your doctor to begin receiving treatment for the disorder.  You can also try to treat the behaviors by listening to soothing music as you fall asleep, and by reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake.

Sleep Disorder Clinics

June 20th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Sleep disorder clinics are for the study of sleep disorders. If you have a long-standing or unusual sleep disorder, your doctor may suggest that you attend a clinic.

Although this takes time, because you will sleep at the clinic either for just a night, or for several nights, attending a sleep disorder clinic is a last resort. However, if your problem is solved, then it’s definitely worthwhile.

Clinics also exist for research into sleep disorders. Again, your doctor is the best person to advise you.

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