5 Conditions That Can Lead to Poor Sleep Patterns
Many factors can affect how well you sleep. Everything from the bed that you use to the temperature in your bedroom can make the difference between getting a restful night’s sleep or tossing and turning to the wee hours of the morning. You may also be experiencing poor sleep patterns if you have one or more of these five conditions.
1. Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a breathing passageway gets blocked, and you may find yourself awakening and gasping for air. Central sleep apnea happens because of brain stem abnormalities that cause your breathing to become slower and possibly stop altogether while you’re trying to sleep. You may also have a mixture of obstructive and sleep apnea that can interfere with your sleep patterns.
Different treatments are available to reverse sleep apnea and help ensure better breathing each time you sleep. A CPAP machine can be used at night to keep the airways open by delivering positive airway pressure.
Special oral appliances can also sometimes offer relief. Surgery is sometimes needed in severe cases of sleep apnea. Losing weight, quitting smoking, and refraining from other unhealthy lifestyle habits can additionally reverse sleep apnea.
2. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
The temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull and allows the mouth to open and close, could make resting difficult if one or both joints become excessively tight or misaligned. TMD is another common cause of sleep apnea, but the pain and tightness that are often associated with the condition can also disrupt your sleep.
A TMJ specialist in Raleigh NC that residents can depend on may prescribe an oral appliance to promote better breathing by repositioning the jaw or tongue. A mouth guard or oral splint can help relieve pain and tightness in the joint and make sleeping easier.
Botox injections into the joint may also help relieve discomfort. If your TMD hasn’t responded well to other treatments, TMJ arthroscopy or open-joint surgery may be recommended.
3. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
You likely experience heartburn from time to time when you’re trying to sleep, but GERD is a more serious condition that can become chronic if left untreated. GERD occurs when acid from the stomach backwashes and gets into the esophagus. The effects of GERD are often felt more when lying in a bed, and you’ll likely feel the urge to sit up and belch more when you’re trying to sleep. You may also feel severe heartburn with the condition.
Over-the-counter or prescription-strength antacids can often alleviate symptoms of GERD. Treatment may also include H2 blockers that are prescribed to help control stomach acid better. Surgery to connect the top of the stomach around the esophagus or shrink the stomach’s size can be the best treatment in some cases.
4. Restless Legs Syndrome
If you feel the irresistible urge to move your legs while you’re sitting or lying in bed, you’ll likely be diagnosed with this condition. Even when you’re feeling the most tired, restless legs syndrome can make your legs overactive and nearly impossible to keep still.
The condition is classified as a neurological disorder and may also be accompanied by tugging or burning sensations in the legs.
If you have restless legs syndrome, your doctor will likely suggest that you limit your caffeine intake and physical activities before bedtime which can worsen symptoms. Anticonvulsants, dopaminergic agents, or other medications may also be prescribed to lessen the effects of the condition.
5. Anxiety
Everyone feels nervous from time to time, but chronic anxiety can cause regular disruptions to your sleep patterns. Chemical imbalances or other biological problems are often linked to ongoing anxiety, but traumatic events can also impact your psychological state and make sleeping restfully more difficult. Your anxiety may even be linked to the foods and beverages that you consume, such as caffeinated drinks and sugary snacks.
Talking to a therapist is often an effective way to reduce the effects of chronic anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a technique that many therapists use to try to treat anxiety. If you’re referred to a psychiatrist, you may be prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or a beta blocker to try to reduce your symptoms.
Bottom Line
Thankfully, you don’t have to continue to live with the effects of any of these conditions that may be hampering your sleep. With the right treatment, you can enjoy better sleep in the long term.
