Three Reasons You Might Not Be Sleeping Well

Lack of adequate sleep places you at a very high risk of developing heart disease and other heart disorders. A good night's sleep is important for good health and well being. Other consequences of inadequate sleep are weight gain, poor memory, and premature aging.

Besides heart disease, weight gain, and poor memory, there are other reasons which should make people value a good night’s sleep. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the number of auto accidents caused by fatigue averages 100,000 every year.

In fact, for many Americans getting a good night of sleep is more complicated than getting to bed early. A multiplicity of problems leads to people waking up tired, failing to fall asleep as they lie in bed staring at the ceiling, and also failing to sleep through the night.

Any of these sleep disorders can be the cause of sleepless nights a precursor of many other health problems.

Obstructive sleep apnoea

People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea may stop breathing in their sleep. The cessations in breathing may happen for up to hundreds of times each night. In turn, the oxygen levels in blood get to extremely low levels which in severe cases can lead to brain damage. Other diseases brought about by sleep apnoea are the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, congestive heart failure, an even cancer. Untreated sleep apnoea will lead to problems such as irritability, drowsy driving, poor memory, excessive daytime sleepiness, and fatigue throughout the day, poor sex drive, depression, and morning headaches.

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is associated with sleep disturbances. This medical disorder is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and a very big urge to move the legs. The uncomfortable sensation in the legs is described as a creepy crawly sensation that borders on pain. The urge to move the legs is in an attempt to ease the discomfort. The leg discomfort is often worse at night and during periods of inactivity or when lying in bed.

RLS is relatively unknown and the cause is still unknown. Incidentally, a deficiency of iron or dopamine in the brain is thought to cause RLS. The disorder affects 5% of the adult population and is more common in women who have had three or more children. Restless Leg Syndrome is associated with insomnia, daytime fatigue and daytime sleepiness caused by poor sleep.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or the inability to stay asleep all through the night. This is a disorder which may come and go or it may be a long standing condition. Insomnia is associated with bad sleep habits such as lack of set bedtime, lounging in bed while awake, use of gadgets such as mobile phones, TV and computers in bed or in the bedroom.

A recent study has shown that the deficiency of certain neurotransmitters in the brain which leads to chronic insomnia. The deficiency causes an overactive mind that will not slow down at bedtime.

In conclusion, it is important to get a good night’s sleep. If any of these conditions is suspected, talk to a doctor so that you get a sleep study. Sleep disorders can be treated and should not cause sleepless nights.

http://blogs.tallahassee.com/community/2014/01/06/three-reasons-you-might-not-be-sleeping-well/

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