Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are disorders in the sleep pattern. Sleep's main function is to restore the body's energy levels. Sleep is a complex neurological process that consists of rhythmic changes in the physiological, biochemical, neurophysiologic and psychological processes. When the processes are disturbed or abnormal, a variety of sleep disorders may result. Sleep disorder symptoms include:

• Difficulty falling asleep at night.
• Waking up several times during the night.
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times.
• Excessive amount of sleep.
• Breathing problems or other abnormal behavior during sleep.

The most common sleep disorders are:

• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Snoring

Using the following tips can decrease some sleep disorder symptoms significantly:

• Avoid caffeine at least 8 hours before going to sleep
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Some medications cause sleeping problems. Check which affect your sleep and try to avoid them
• Eliminating stress and depression