Sleep Disorder

What is a Sleep Disorder?

A sleep disorder is a disturbance that is keeping you from receiving a peaceful night’s rest. Sleep disorders can be triggered by stress, anxiety, depression, weight gain, lack of exercise, recent trauma, and change in hormonal balance. Insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless legs syndrome are sleep disorders that may lead to other health issues.

It is suggested that individuals on average need at least eight hours of rest a night. This is the proper amount of time your body needs in order to regenerate new cells, repair muscle tissue, boost immunity, and replenish energy cells.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder where one cannot fall asleep, remain asleep, or both. According to the National Centre for Sleep Disorders Research, about 30-40% of adults state that they experience symptoms of insomnia. Individuals who suffer from insomnia oftentimes sleep decently for a few nights followed by a few nights of inadequate rest.(1)

Jet Lag

Jet lag is a sleep disorder that occurs when you travel to a different time zone. Each of our bodies contains a biological clock that is aware of when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to wake. If we travel through a different time zone, our biological clocks do not change to the new time, but remain the same, thus we may start to feel tired and ready for bed at an earlier time than normal. Jet lag may increase the risks of other sleep complications, such as insomnia and possibly sleep deprivation.

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is a sleep disorder that occurs when you are not getting enough sleep and it becomes an unhealthy routine. Sleep deprivation can lead to an unpleasant mood, depression, and anxiety, as well as chronic fatigue, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, and other sleep complications, such as insomnia.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder where you have the urge to move your legs while you’re trying to fall asleep. It usually starts with an uncomfortable feeling in your legs, much like an itch that can’t be soothed. RLS may lead to sleep deprivation or other sleep disorder symptoms if it is not properly treated.

(1)Insomnia and Sleep; National Sleep Foundation.