Stress. anxiety. Noisy neighbors. Blanket partners. Since the list of things that can disrupt a person’s sleep is more like a scroll, it’s no wonder that about 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by sleep problems, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.
This list may include symptoms you don’t even know you’re experiencing as a result of an undiagnosed sleep disorder – or a health condition that leads to sleep disorders.
“Most people will realize that their sleep has been disrupted when they experience excessive fatigue the next day, but it is often difficult to trace this excessive fatigue to symptoms such as congestion, digestive problems or pain,” said Dr. Janice Johnston, co-founder. and chief medical officer of the U.S. Redirect Health Plan. “Instead, people may mistakenly attribute these feelings to a lack of caffeine, late at night, or stress during the day.
If you experience any – or more than one – of the following symptoms after hitting the sheets, it may be time to consult your doctor.
Panting for air
Choking is most often a sign of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and begins.
“During sleep, muscles relax and the throat narrows or closes,” said Dr. Ziyshan Khan, director of the Deborah Institute of Sleep Medicine at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey.
Sleep apnea is also associated with snoring, choking while sleeping, and waking up with dry mouth and headaches. “A sleep specialist can order a sleep test to determine if you have sleep apnea, which is usually treated with a device called CPAP, a continuous air at a set pressure that opens the airways,” Hahn said.
Postnasal drip is another possible culprit. “When too much mucus makes its way to the back of the throat, it can block the airways, causing people to temporarily stop breathing while sleeping,” Johnston said. “It simply came to our notice then. It can be caused by allergies, weather changes or the common cold.
Maintaining hydration can help dilute mucus and make it easier. The same means for diluting mucus, such as Mucinex and rinsing the nose with saline. If OTC strategies do not reduce it, the specialist may limit postnasal drip by prescribing a decongestant to help clear mucus and prevent blockage of your throat, while checking for other possible causes, such as sinus conditions, allergies or sinusitis. .
Acid reflux can also cause shortness of breath, thanks to acidic secretions from the stomach that return to the esophagus. “Patients often have an acidic sensation in their mouth,” Johnston said. Sleeping on your left side, lifting your upper body with a wedge pillow, or popping antacids can help control shortness of breath at night.
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Snoring and shortness of breath can be a sign of sleep, which is dangerous if left untreated.
Snoring
Snoring is another common symptom of sleep apnea. “When there is a narrowing along the airways, in the nose or throat, the tissue begins to vibrate and make a snoring sound,” Khan said. “This can be associated with shortness of breath or snoring during sleep, dry mouth in the morning and a stuffy nose.
It can also be caused by allergies or the common cold, as well as being overweight, Johnston said. Shortness of breath and increased sweating are additional symptoms that can disrupt your sleep.
A sleep specialist may order a sleep test to determine if you have sleep apnea. If there is no evidence of sleep apnea, then various treatment options for snoring include sleeping on one side, lifting the head of the bed, using nasal strips, nasal sprays or an oral device.
Sleep walking
Sleep walking is considered parasomnia or unwanted behavior or experience during sleep. “This is a disorder during the deepest stage of non-REM sleep, when the brain is interrupted and is in a state between sleep and wakefulness,” Hahn said.
It can be caused by sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety or fever. Taking certain medications, such as hypnotics, sedatives, or certain medications used for psychiatric disorders, can also be a contributing factor. The same goes for alcohol use.
A sleep specialist can diagnose this disorder by taking a thorough history and ordering a sleep test. Preventive measures (such as adjusting medication and waking up about 15 minutes before normal drowsiness) are recommended and triggers such as sleep deprivation, stress and alcohol should be avoided.
Speaking of sleep
Speaking of sleep or drowsiness is one of the most common parasomnias with an unknown cause. “This is more common in people with mental illness and may be related to sleepwalking and nightmares,” Khan said. Other causes may include emotional stress, fever and substance abuse.
“These health conditions can lead to decreased ability to concentrate, extreme mood swings or hallucinations,” said Johnston. “If talking in your sleep is not normal and is alarming, it is important to see a specialist.”
They can diagnose this disorder by taking an in-depth medical history and ordering a sleep test if necessary. “Preventive measures are recommended to avoid triggers such as stress, sleep deprivation and alcohol,” Khan said.
Some medications, such as antidepressants, can cause sleep talk, so your specialist can adjust what you take.
Chronic nightmares
Continuing nightmares can be caused by a number of different psychological triggers, the most common being anxiety and depression. Changes in your schedule that disrupt or reduce the amount of sleep you get can also cause an increase in nightmares, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Treatment for chronic nightmares may be necessary if your nightmares cause distress, confuse your sleep, and interfere with your functioning during the day.
“Chronic nightmares can have extremely adverse health effects, such as an increased risk of suicide, heart disease and obesity,” said Johnston. “Those who suffer from chronic nightmares should seek treatment and advice from a medical professional.
Your nightmares can be a side effect of the medication you are taking, in which case your doctor may change the dosage or prescription to alleviate your nightmares, Johnston said. They can also help you find time management, prioritization and stress reduction skills that suit your situation if your nightmares are caused by anxiety and depression.
Image rehearsal therapy, which involves changing the end of your memorized nightmare while you are awake and then rehearsing the new end in your mind, can be very successful in treating recurring nightmares caused by PTSD.
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Constant nightmares can be a signal that something else is going on with your mental health.
Often waking up to pee
Nocturia or waking up in the middle of the night to urinate becomes more common with age, but it can also be a sign of something else.
“This could be caused by the natural aging process of the bladder or caused by a medical problem,” Khan said. Nocturia may occur on its own or coincide with frequent urination during the day.
The most obvious reason is drinking too much fluid too close to bed. However, other health conditions that cause frequent urination at night can be more severe, such as a bladder or urinary tract infection, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, or chronic kidney failure.
“To monitor the problem, you can first start by limiting the amount of fluid you drink before bed,” Johnston said. Keep a diary of your bladder for a few days, how much you drink, how often you have to go to the toilet, and approximately how much you urinate. (“You also have to write down all the medications you’re taking, all the UTIs, and all the related symptoms,” Johnston said.)
Your doctor can then use this information to determine the possible causes of – and treatment for – your nocturia. Depending on the health condition, treatment may include anticholinergic drugs that reduce the symptoms of overactive bladder or treatment of the condition or infection, such as diabetes or UTI.
Gritting teeth
Adverse effects of sleep bruxism when clenching or gnashing your teeth while sleeping can be seen during the day through dull headaches or sore jaws. It is considered a sleep-related motor disorder, and according to the Mayo Clinic, people who gnash their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea.
“Bruxism can be caused by stress and anxiety, but it’s more likely to be caused by an unusual bite,” Johnston said. “Your dentist may examine your mouth and jaw for signs and symptoms, such as tooth wear or loose teeth. The dentist can then put a mouth guard on the individual to protect his teeth at night. ”
Fall asleep too fast
Being able to fall asleep quickly is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. However, if you get less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night and faint the moment your head hits the pillow, it could be your body telling you it needs more rest, Johnston said. .
Other signs of sleep deprivation include excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty regulating emotions or focusing on simple tasks. Another sign is the feeling of drowsiness or sleep when performing daily activities, such as watching TV or driving.
“If you suspect you may be experiencing sleep deprivation, you can use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to measure the severity of your drowsiness, but it is also recommended that you seek out a sleep specialist so that they can perform appropriate tests to help you restore your sleep. “Follow,” Johnston said, especially if you already practice proper sleep hygiene and sleep deprivation is still a regular series.
It may be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or …
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