What are sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are conditions that interfere with your ability to get adequate, quality sleep. According to the international classification of sleep disorders, there are six main categories, to which is added a category corresponding to additional types.
Why is sleep so important?
– For scientists, you have to sleep in order to accomplish certain tasks, such as:
- Learn and keep memories.
- Eliminate toxins present in the brain cells.
- Regulate hormones.
- Repair damaged tissue.
- Control emotions and behaviors.
– Not sleeping properly can lead to short- and long-term difficulties, including:
- Learning, emotional and behavioral problems.
- A weakening of the immune system.
- An increased risk of accidents at work or in the car.
- relationship conflicts.
What causes sleep disturbances?
Sleep disorders are likely to result from physical, emotional and mental health issues. Among the factors are:
- The weight : if overweight, an accumulation of fat in the nose and throat can obstruct breathing. This phenomenon can lead to apnea, which consists of a repetitive cessation of breathing for a few seconds or more during sleep.
- Mental health : Trauma, depression, mental illness, and stress can lead to insomnia or other sleep problems.
- Hormonal changes in women: Hormonal changes, whether related to menopause, menstruation or pregnancy, may affect sleep patterns. For example, hot flashes occurring during menopause can disrupt sleep.
- Environmental circumstances : Noise and light at night, especially in cities, are factors capable of disrupting your body’s circadian rhythm (biological clock)
- Chronic medical conditions: People with health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic headaches, heart disease or cancer frequently suffer from sleep disturbances.
- Medications : Antidepressants, antihistamines, asthma medications, and drugs and alcohol are all contributing factors to insomnia.
Sleep Disorders: What You Shouldn’t Ignore!
In the presence of any of these signs or symptoms, it is possible to seek medical attention. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist or register you for a sleep test.
- Absence of breathing for long periods, sign of apnea.
- Exaggerated sleepiness during the day.
- Irregularity of breathing or intensification of movements during sleep.
- An inability to fall asleep.
- Headaches when waking up.
How sleep disorders can impact our heart health?
Unsurprisingly, a growing body of research points to a correlation between sleep disturbances and cardiovascular health.
Unlike the general public, people with classic sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or insomnia, are more likely to suffer from cardiac arrhythmias, plaque buildup, heart failure, and heart disease. cardiovascular.
There is growing evidence that neurological sleep disorders, such as restless leg syndrome, which affects 5-8% of French people, may increase the risk of heart disease, although more research in-depth studies are essential in order to clearly identify this link.
In most people, blood pressure drops while sleeping. However, this is not necessarily the case for people with narcolepsy type 1. Although more research is needed in this area, there are indications that it may increase the risk of heart problems.
What should you do if you have trouble sleeping?
- Go to bed and wake up always at the same time, even during holidays or weekends.
- Sleep in a dark, quiet room with a comfortable temperature and bed.
- Eliminate electronic devices from your bedroom, they are likely to disturb your sleep.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and large meals two hours before bedtime.
- Exercise. Practicing physical activity during the day facilitates the process of falling asleep at night.
If you have symptoms of trouble sleeping or if after taking these measures you are unable to fall asleep, please consult your doctor or healthcare professional.