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Sleep disorders affect sleep quality, duration, and overall health, leading to fatigue, mood changes, and cognitive impairment.

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Dr. C. Alexandru

Dr. C. Alexandru

Médico de Medicina Geral | CUIM: 2791492305

Revisto em:

Dr. Cosmin Alexandru tem mais de 20 anos em medicina de emergência e familiar, atualmente atuando no Hospital Clínico do Condado de Sibiu.

Sleep Disorders

What Are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are conditions that disrupt the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested. Poor sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, memory problems, and an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, and weakened immunity.

Common Types of Sleep Disorders:

  • Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
  • Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions during sleep, leading to poor oxygen flow.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): Uncontrollable urge to move legs, causing nighttime discomfort.
  • Narcolepsy: Sudden sleep episodes, excessive daytime drowsiness, and muscle weakness.
  • Parasomnia: abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, between sleep stages, or during arousal from sleep – in this category is included also the sleepwalking (or somnambulism or noctambulism)
  • Circadian Rhythm Disorders: Disruptions in the body’s sleep-wake cycle, such as jet lag or shift work disorder.
  • REM sleep behavior disorder: a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that causes you to act out vivid dreams as you sleep.

Sleep disorders can result from stress, anxiety, poor sleep habits, medical conditions, or imbalances in melatonin levels.

Who Needs Treatment for Sleep Disorders?

Treatment is recommended for individuals experiencing:

  • Chronic difficulty falling or staying asleep.
  • Excessive daytime fatigue, mood changes, or poor concentration.
  • Loud snoring, gasping, or breathing interruptions at night.
  • Unrefreshing sleep despite sleeping enough hours.

Lifestyle & Treatment Options

Managing sleep disorders involves medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes:

Medications for Sleep Disorders:
  • Melatonin Supplements (Circadin, Melatonin): Help regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
  • Herbal Sleep Aids (Baldrian, valerian root): Promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
  • Sedative-Hypnotics (Zolpidem, Zopiclone, Imovane): Short-term solutions for insomnia.
  • Antihistamine-Based Sleep Aids (Hoggar Night, Vivinox): Used for occasional sleep disturbances.
Behavioral & Cognitive Therapy:
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) helps reframe negative thoughts about sleep and establish healthy habits.
  • Relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation can ease nighttime anxiety.
Improving Sleep Hygiene:
  • Maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily.
  • Limit screen time before bed to reduce blue light exposure.
  • Create a dark, cool, and quiet sleep environment to promote restful sleep.
  • Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the evening to prevent sleep disruptions.

A well-managed treatment plan can lead to:

  • Improved sleep quality and longer sleep duration.
  • Reduced daytime fatigue and better cognitive function.
  • Lower risk of chronic health conditions linked to poor sleep.
  • Enhanced mood, focus, and overall well-being.
  • Better regulation of the body's circadian rhythm.

Important considerations to keep in mind include the following:

  • Long-term use of sleeping pills can lead to dependence, so they should only be used as prescribed.
  • Melatonin is most effective for sleep cycle disruptions but may not work for all types of insomnia.
  • Lifestyle changes are essential for sustainable improvements in sleep quality.
  • If sleep issues persist despite changes, a healthcare evaluation is recommended.

Perguntas frequentes

Get answers to common questions about Sleep Disorders

Melatonin supplements like Circadin help regulate sleep cycles, while prescription options like zolpidem, zopiclone, and Imovane are effective for short-term insomnia relief. Always be aware that this kind of medication can be addictive on the long term.
Some sleep issues improve with better habits and stress management, but chronic sleep disorders often require treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, reducing screen time before bed, managing stress, and avoiding stimulants can improve sleep naturally.
If you experience chronic insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring with breathing pauses, or consistently unrefreshing sleep, a medical evaluation is recommended.
Yes, avoiding caffeine, heavy meals before bed, and excessive sugar can improve sleep, while magnesium and herbal teas may promote relaxation.

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