Silent disruptors: sleep disorders may be affecting your life

        Approximately 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sleep disorders are conditions that can affect normal sleeping patterns.
        Sleep is an important part of daily life. It affects almost every system and tissue in the body – including the brain. However, people of all ages can experience difficulties falling asleep and a decreased quality of sleep at some point in their lives. For some, sleep disorders are causing these concerns, which can affect overall health and well-being.
        The most common signs of a sleep disorder can include tiredness during the day, waking up not feeling well-rested, trouble concentrating or carrying out tasks, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
        Common sleep disorders
        There are many different sleep disorders. Three of the most commonly experienced sleep disorders are insomnia, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
        Insomnia is when an individual has persistent problems falling and staying asleep despite the desire to. Insomnia can be acute, lasting less than three months, or chronic, lasting more than three months. Most people experience insomnia at some point in their lives, whether acute or chronic. Once insomnia has become chronic, treatment may be available.
        Restless leg syndrome is an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, which is worse at night and only relieved by movement. People tend to experience it once they are relaxing or in bed during the evening, often followed by the feeling of needing to move their legs or walk around. It is not necessarily painful but is often described as a building tension in the legs that must be released. Once the legs have been moved, the feeling goes away, but when they are back in bed or trying to rest, the cycle can start all over.
        Sleep apnea is when a person repeatedly stops and starts breathing during sleep. People who snore are at an increased risk of having sleep apnea, but one does not have to snore to have sleep apnea. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, happens when the airway becomes blocked while sleeping, reducing or completely stopping airflow. Sleep apnea is most commonly diagnosed by a sleep study in a medical facility. Untreated sleep apnea can be very dangerous and may lead to several serious medical conditions that have the potential to become fatal.
        Sleep guidelines and when to seek care
        The amount of sleep a person needs changes depending on age. It is recommended that adults 18 years and older get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Children’s sleep recommendations change as the child grows. Infants need 12-16 hours of sleep, toddlers need 11-14 hours, preschool-age need 10-13, school-age children need 9-12 hours, and teenagers need 8-10 hours. Once a person becomes 18, the recommended amount of sleep does not change even as they become a senior citizen.
        Sleep trackers can be used to monitor sleep trends. They may not be completely accurate, but they can help reveal changes in normal sleep patterns. Despite the data these trackers can provide, it is important to note that sleep studies provide the most accurate picture of overall sleep effectiveness and quality.
        If anyone feels that disrupted sleep is affecting their quality of life, then it is time to seek care.
        Drowsy driving, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, not being able to get through the day without taking a nap, trouble concentrating, or reports of snoring or stopped breathing by a sleep partner should be discussed with a health care provider.