If you toss and turn for most of the night due to trouble falling or staying asleep, then it’s possible you may have a sleep disorder. It’s an umbrella term that refers to different forms of sleep disruption—including ubiquitous conditions such as sleep apnea, and other lesser-known conditions such as sleep terrors.
Understanding the type of sleep disorder you are living with is crucial in determining the best treatment that can help you achieve a restful night. With that in mind, the list below explores different forms of sleep disorders you may not know about.
1. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
There are various reasons it’s difficult to fall asleep, and one of the most overlooked factors is having excessive movement of the legs, or restless leg syndrome. It’s frustrating to turn over to try to find the most comfortable sleeping position, only to have uncomfortable sensations plague your legs for the better part of the night.
Symptoms of RLS can include sensations in the legs such as pins and needles, itching, burning, the feeling of creepy-crawlies climbing up your legs, or a strong urge to keep moving your legs. While it seems minor, this sensory condition can disrupt sleep and result in fatigue or daytime sleepiness.
RLS affects 7.2% of the population and can manifest multiple times per night and per week, compromising a person’s functioning in more ways than one.
2. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behavior Disorder
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) is a critical stage in your sleep cycle as it stimulates the part of the brain responsible for learning. It’s the most vivid phase in the sleep cycle as it involves dreaming, but even the most action-packed sequences in your brain should not be translated into real life as your muscles should be deeply relaxed.
If your dreams prompt you to put your body into action—be it talking, walking, thrashing, or moving, it’s a disorder that can cause detrimental problems for you and your partner. For one, it can put everyone at risk if it causes you to fall, fly out of bed, run, hit, kick, or take any other actions that could cause physical harm.
This disorder affects roughly 1% of the population, though males over 50-years-old are typically the most vulnerable to this condition.
3. Narcolepsy
One of the most disruptive sleep disorders, narcolepsy is a condition where people lapse into sleep uncontrollably at different times of the day. These bouts of sleepiness are often irrepressible, leading to episodes of cataplexy where the person loses control over their muscles.
It’s a rare condition that affects only 0.2 to 0.4% of the population, however, it helps to keep a sharp lookout for symptoms, so you can treat this disorder in its early stages before it gets out of hand.
Understanding Different Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders don’t manifest out of the blue, which means most conditions are rooted in other health factors, habits, and lifestyle. Knowing the different types of sleep disorders should help you identify potential problems, making it easier to spot, diagnose, and find the right treatment for you.
Sleep Center in Jacksonville, FL
If you’re looking for a sleep doctor in Jacksonville, FL, to get diagnosis and treatment for a sleep disorder, our team at Jacksonville Sleep Center is your best option. You deserve a good night’s sleep, so contact our sleep clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to find out we can help you.
