Many individuals have trouble sleeping at one time or another during their lifetime. This could be due to stress or illness and will resolve itself with a little time. Some cannot sleep for long periods of time. These are the individuals that suffer from some form of a sleep disorder.
Those who suffer from a sleep disturbance for more than two weeks in a row should consult their general practitioner. There are many home remedies you could try, such as sleep better with CBN oil, or yoga and meditation; however, if these do not help, seek medical help.
No matter why you cannot sleep, the best way to get better sleep is, to begin with, your sleep hygiene. This means to remove any type of activity from your bedroom, including a television and electronic devices. Use your bedroom for sleep and sex only. Do not exercise or work with your computer in your bed or the bedroom. This will help train your body and brain to go to sleep in this room.
Here is a list of three common types of sleep disorders and what you should know about each one:
Insomnias
This is the most common type of sleep disorder and includes the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and/or waking up too early. This type of disturbance is typically caused by stress and can last longer than a stressful situation. Besides not being able to sleep, you may experience irritability, daytime sleepiness, poor decision making, and fatigue among other symptoms.
Besides medications, one can work with a specialist in cognitive behavioural health. This is a talk therapy that addresses your core values and thoughts that might contradict these values. This type of therapy could last several weeks to many years, depending on what could be troubling you.
Breathing problems
There are several breathing problems related to sleep, with Obstructive Sleep Apnea being the most common. This is when the airways in the throat become blocked, causing the person to snore, choke, or cough to catch their breath. In turn, they wake up and feel exhausted in the morning. Snoring, moaning, talking, and groaning are also signs of a breathing issue during sleep.
One of the top treatments for breathing problems during sleep is with a CPAP or BiPAP machine. These are machines that continually force air down the throat through a mask worn over the mouth and nose. The air pressure is adjusted to the individual’s needs and most people can tolerate it well.
Hypersomnias
This type of sleep disorder includes narcolepsy, insufficient sleep syndrome, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Narcolepsy is the most dangerous as individuals that suffer from this can fall asleep at any moment, even while driving a car. The other types of hypersomnia will have the person sleeping for long periods of time for days on end. For this type of sleep disturbance, it is best to seek the help of a doctor or specialist in sleep studies.
If you cannot sleep for more than two weeks, you will need to seek medical advice. Sleep is an important part of maintaining your overall health.
James Wallace has been an advocate for mental health awareness for years. He holds a master’s degree in counselling from the University of Edinburgh.
