Sleep is important in order for our mind and body to function properly. Thus, constant disruption of sleep results to life changes affecting physical, behavioral and mental functions.You may feel irritable and lacking energy. You find it difficult to concentrate and remember things. You may also become sleepy during daytime, affecting work performance. Sleeping problems could also lead to vehicular accidents because of drowsiness while driving.

Sleeping problems affect everyone. They commonly occur together with other disorders such as arthritis, obesity, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. This article aims to help caregiving families, to keep them informed of sleeping problems and the corresponding intervention needed for each case. More importantly, this article can be used by patients themselves, to alert members of their caregiving families. However, you may need to consult with a sleep specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Insomnia - The main symptom is difficulty falling asleep and/or maintaing sleep. It is the most common sleeping problem in the United States, affecting more women than men. Aside from gender, age is also a risk factor, as seniors have a greater chance to develop insomnia. Race is also a factor, studies show that African-American have higher risk for insomnia.

It has two types, namely primary and secondary insomnia. Secondary insomnia is the more common one, and is due to medications (e.g. beta blockers for lowering high blood pressure, caffeine), medical conditions (e.g. arthritis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease) or other sleeping disorders (e.g restless legs syndrome). Primary insomnia, on the other hand, is a disorder on its own, often triggered by life changes such as emotional stress (i.e. death or divorce), travel or work hours that disturb your normal sleeping pattern. Insomnia can be mild to severe, acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term, occurs minimum 3nights a week and lasts for more than a month).

Treatment: For acute insomnia, no medical treatment is necessary as long as you can control the factors that trigger it. Lifestyle changes are recommended. These include adapting a nutritious diet and consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding smoking cigarette. Relax before going to sleep. Reading a book, listening to good music or a hot bath is proven beneficial. Medications are also available to treat insomnia, discuss with your doctor about them. For chronic insomnia, consult a sleep doctor.

Sleep Apnea - Main symptom is interruption of breathing during sleep; each pause or episode is called apnea. Breathing pauses can occur 5 to more than 30 times during sleep. Other symptoms include loud snoring, gasping and choke-like sounds during sleep. You sometimes experience headaches and a dry throat upon waking up in the morning. Obesity is a major risk factor. The condition affects more men than women. Women develop apnea often after menopause.

There are three types of sleep apnea, namely central, complex and obstructive. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type wherein the airway is blocked, hence the name obstructive. Snoring results as air makes its way through the blockade. The serious effect is the drop in oxygen levels in the blood, which when happens too often releases stress hormones. These substances increase heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, high blood pressure and risk for heart attack. A polysomnogram is used to diagnose sleep apnea, categorizing the condition as mild, moderate or severe.

Treatment: Your immediate goal is to restore normal breathing during sleep. When this is achieved, other problems such as snoring are then eliminated. For mild sleep apnea, an oral appliance or commonly called a mouthpiece may be prescribed, which adjusts your tongue and lower jaw to maintain an open airway while you sleep. Look for special pillows that give the right support to keep your air passageway open. For moderate to severe sleep apnea, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine which blows air into your nose and mouth is beneficial. Surgery may be suggested in some cases to remove excess tissue in the mouth or throat that narrows the airway.

Lifestyle changes are also recommended. This include avoiding alcohol and smoking. Maintain your weight within normal limits. (add link to article on obesity to gain access on Body Mass Index computation). Sleep specialists also recommend sleeping on your side instead of your back to widen the airway.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) - Main symptom is the very strong urge to move your legs. Sensations of crawling, tingling or electric shock are also felt and are relieved when you move your legs. Severe case of RLS also involves the arms. RLS is caused by lack of iron in the brain, affecting movement control in our limbs. RLS may be genetic or may be triggered by medications such as cold and allergy medicines (antihistamines), calcium channel blockers (drugs that lower blood pressure), antipsychotics and antidepressants. RLS occurs more in women (especially pregnant women) than men. There are no test that can diagnose RLS. You have to consult a sleep specialist to be better informed.

Treatment: There are also no treatment for RLS. Thus preventing RLS to occur depends mainly on lifestyle changes. Avoid alcohol and cigarette smoking. Avoid medications that trigger RLS. Moderate exercises such as stretching or walking are also recommended for better muscle control of our limbs. You can also use warm compress on the affected limbs.

Narcolepsy - Main symptom is extreme sleepiness during daytime. Other symptoms include cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness in some parts or the entire body), vivid dreams or hallucinations and sleep paralysis (inability to move while falling asleep or while waking up). You may experience many periods of daytime sleepiness, each usually lasting up to 30minutes. On rare instances, you may even fall asleep while in the middle of an activity such as eating or talking.

Narcolepsy is due to low levels of hypocretin, a brain substance that controls wakefulness. Narcolepsy may be genetic or may be due to exposure to pesticides. A polysomnogram is used to diagnose narcolepsy. Sleep specialists can also use multiple sleep latency test to measure how quickly you fall asleep. A hypocretin test may also be ordered to determine your hypocretin levels.

Treatment: There is no cure for narcolepsy. Although you can use stimulants such caffeine to minimize daytime sleepiness, lifestyle changes are the treatment of choice. To relieve daytime sleepiness, follow a consistent sleep schedule. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Avoid taking in large meals before bedtime. Moderate exercise during the day is also recommended. Relax before going to bed.