Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders come in many different varieties. While the most talked about sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea and even now, restless legs syndrome, there are also a host of other sleep disorders worth mentioning as well.

Jet lag, night terror, narcolepsy and shift work disorders also steal sleep from those in need. Some sleep disorders are easily fixed by removing or masking environmental sounds or changing the firmness of a mattress.

But, other sleep disorders are not so easily solved and require medical help and trial and error to see what works for each individual and what does not work. Depending upon the sleep disorder in question, the cure may lie in modifying ones' environment, taking medication, putting oneself on a machine, using a mechanical device or having surgery.

For instance, sleep apnea may require all of these different fixes in order that the sufferer can get a good night of zees. Chronic insomnia may even be trickier to solve in some cases, as diagnosing the particular cause may be elusive.

A sleep disorder called restless legs syndrome (RLS) has come to light within the last five years and is characterized by the involuntary jerking of limbs at night that can jolt one awake. RLS can even awaken people momentarily throughout the night without the person ever realizing it.

This is why with many sleep disorders it is imperative to go to a doctor who will very often recommend an overnight sleep study be performed. The study can be in one's home or in a hospital or clinic setting and will be used to diagnose a sleep disorder such as either sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome or to rule out these two disorders as possibilities.

Sleep studies are also covered by most health insurance policies, so the patient doesn't have to bear the brunt of the costs in most cases. Sleep disorders may be uncovered or ruled out by the study so many doctors prefer to go this route when other routine cures are not working.

Sleep disorders have been implicated in many major disasters. The Exxon Valdez oil spill, Three Mile Island and the Chernobyl nuclear accidents all stemmed, in part, from sleep disorders of the major players involved. Many work-related accidents and mishaps happen because of employees' sleep disorders.

If you're reading these pages, then most likely you have a sleep disorder, think you do or know someone who does. Check out the other pages on this site regarding sleep disorders as we explain more in-depth what each sleep disorder entails. Also, remember to go to a doctor for a proper diagnosis, so that you can start getting the treatment you need as soon as possible.