Sleeping Problems

Even though sleep is one of the most essential ways to maintain one's health, many people experience sleeping problems from time to time. Some of these sleeping problems are short lived and do not end up causing a person too much difficulty; other sleeping problems become chronic, and begin affecting many areas of a person's life. When a person can't get enough sleep, their life can become incredibly difficult; even routine daily tasks can become a major struggle. Therefore, people who suffer from sleeping problems are usually very eager to find solutions. For many, finding ones that work requires a lot of patience and experimentation.

Sleeping Problem - Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the most common types of sleeping problems that people can suffer from; however, it is also one of the most serious. Unlike many other sleeping problems, sleep apnea requires immediate medical attention and treatment. A person suffering from sleep apnea stops breathing for ten to thirty seconds during the night as they sleep. This can occur as many as 400 times per night, and can contribute to heart problems and can increase a person's risk of stroke. Among sleeping problems, sleep apnea is something that is not to be taken lightly.

Sleeping Problem - Insomnia

Millions of people suffer from insomnia; indeed, it is one of the most well known sleeping problems. It can also be presented in a number of different ways. For some people, insomnia means strictly not being able to fall asleep at night, and lying awake for hours on end. For others, the sleeping problem of insomnia involves waking frequently in the night and never getting a long, uninterrupted amount of sleep. Among sleeping disorders, insomnia is one of the most pervasive. Even just waking up too early in the morning can signal that a person has insomnia.

Sleeping Problem - Snoring

Out of all the various types of sleeping problems, snoring is largely considered to be a problem for people other than the one doing the actual snoring. However, although snoring can keep roommates awake at night, snoring is also disrupting the snorer's sleep. Indeed, snoring is grouped in with many other sleeping problems because the snorer often wakes up multiple times per night without even knowing it. Upon waking, many people who snore while sleeping feel as if they did not get enough sleep - despite getting a full eight hours. Sleeping problems like snoring disturb both the sufferer and those around him.

Sleeping Problem - Restless Legs Syndrome

One of the most aggravating types of sleeping problems is known as RLS - or Restless Legs Syndrome. This problem is characterized by achy, tingling, prickly or crawly sensations in the legs that cause the sufferer to move them endlessly in response. This ceaseless movement creates sleeping problems, and sufferers of RLS often have a great deal of trouble falling asleep. This condition is especially common in the elderly, and can make people dread bedtime. Among sleeping disorders, RLS is very common and there are many different treatments and medications available for people who suffer from it.

Can't Sleep

Welcome to Can't Sleep

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep problems, then this website will provide you with beneficial information. Cantsleep.org has the answers to all of your sleep-related questions and will help you to recognize and seek treatment for various sleep disorders.

Read on to learn more about the most common sleep issues and how sleep aids can remedy them:

Why can't I sleep?

Lack of sleep is very distressing to most people. The human body functions best on seven or more hours of sleep per night, and those who suffer from insomnia or sleep disturbances often find themselves lacking in concentration, behaving irritably, and experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches.

There are several reasons why people sometimes find themselves unable to get a sufficient amount of sleep. This issue could be the result of emotional stress that makes it difficult to "turn off" one's thoughts at night, or the result of physical problems such as sleep apnea or other disorders.

Sleep disorders

The most prevalent sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Insomnia is characterized by difficulties in falling asleep or being able to stay asleep through the night. Some of its causes include depression, stress, anxiety, and medication side effects. Sleep apnea produces erratic breathing patterns as a result of a blocked upper airway.

People with sleep apnea can be suddenly awakened by breathing problems many times throughout the night. Restless leg syndrome most often develops in mid-to-late adulthood. It is characterized by pains in the legs and feet at nighttime and movements that interrupt sleep patterns. Narcolepsy, a disorder of the brain, leaves a person in a constant state of sleepiness during the day.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is an issue that can result in serious health problems. When the body's upper airway is partially or fully obstructed, sleep is disrupted by pauses in breath that can last anywhere from several seconds to a few minutes. People who suffer from sleep apnea can have their sleep cycles disrupted over 30 times in one hour. This is caused when the stopping and restarting of the breathing process shifts a person's sleep mode from deep to light.

The side effects of sleep apnea include extreme fatigue throughout the daytime and higher risks of irregular heartbeat, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and stroke. Sleep apnea can be treated with breathing devices or surgery.

Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation produces a variety of negative side effects that worsen the longer a person stays awake. Those who do not receive an adequate amount of sleep have difficulty functioning in routine daily activities such as work or school. The brain is affected through loss of memory, inability to concentrate, and an increase in hyperactivity.

The physical problems that are associated with sleep deprivation are muscle pain, weakening of the immune system, constipation, dull skin tone, and weight changes. When sleep deprivation continues for an extended period of time, it can result in serious psychological issues such as delusions, psychotic episodes, and major depression.

Sleep aids

Sleep aids can substantially improve both the quality and the duration of a person's sleep cycle. These aids are available in both prescription and non-prescription form. Prescription sleep aids can vary in function, with some primarily working to induce sleep and others helping to sustain sleep.

Examples of prescription medications that treat sleep disorders are benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics, non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics, and melatonin receptor agonist hypnotics.

Sleep aids that can be purchased over the counter contain an antihistamine that promotes tiredness in those who suffer from insomnia. These medicines contain ingredients such as doxylamine and diphenhydramine.