Sleep Disorders – Causes and Symptoms
Sleep Disorders Causes:
Sleep disorders causes are of many types. Sleep disorders can be caused by various factors. Although sleep disorder causes may differ, the end result of all sleep disorders is that the body's natural cycle of slumber and daytime wakefulness is disrupted or exaggerated.
Sleep disorder causes factors are:
- Environmental (for example, alcohol use)
- Medical (for example, asthma)
- Psychiatric (for example, depression and anxiety disorders)
- Physical (for example, ulcers)
Primary or acute insomnia can be caused by life stresses, such as change or job loss, death of a loved one, or moving; an illness; or environmental factors, such as noise, light, or extreme temperatures.
Secondary or chronic insomnia (insomnia that occurs at least three nights a week for a month or longer) can be caused by factors such as depression, chronic stress, and pain or discomfort at night.
Other sleep disorder causes factors that can interfere with sleep include:
- Night Shift Work: People who work at night often experience sleep disorders because they cannot sleep when they start to feel drowsy. Their activities run contrary to their biological clocks.
- Medications: Many medications can interfere with sleep, such as certain antidepressants, blood pressure medication, and over-the-counter cold medicine.
- Aging: About half of all adults over the age of 65 have some sort of sleep disorder. It is not clear if it is a normal part of aging or a result of medications that older people commonly use.
- Genetics: Researchers have found a genetic basis for narcolepsy, a neurological disorder of sleep regulation that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness.
Symptoms of Sleep Disorders:
The symptoms of sleep disorders include:
- Daytime napping almost every day
- Falling asleep while driving
- Having difficulty paying attention or concentrating at work, school, or home
- Having difficulty controlling your emotions
- Having difficulty in remembering
- Struggle to stay awake when inactive, such as when watching television or reading.
