In the US alone, roughly 60 – 80 million people have some type of sleep disorder. And this number keeps rising. Some of the reasons behind the increasing numbers are the aging of the American population, the alteration in our way of life and the obesity epidemic. Needless to say, there are other causes that can result in a sleep disorder, such as anxiety, work, disease or even genetics.
There are more than 100 different kinds of sleep issues. They vary in severity from mild to life threatening. Individuals of all ages, from babies to the elderly, can be impacted by a sleep disorder at any time of their lives.
As sleep disorders rise in the United States, so do the hazards which are related to them.
Tiredness can result in sluggish mental performance and a slower reaction time. This is often a very dangerous combination. Around 20 – 25% of all the serious motor collisions involve a tired vehicle driver. A number of these drivers experience some type of sleep disorder and might not be aware of it. Numerous accidents which occur in the household or on the job are also attributable to people with some form of sleeping disorder. Sleep problems, together with the cost of these mishaps and the illnesses they cause, result in the American people and the federal government paying out billions of dollars.
Insufficient sleep is directly connected to numerous physical ailments and health conditions. People who aren’t getting sufficient sleep typically suffer more from headaches, sore joints and stomach problems. Sleep apnea is often a fundamental explanation for heart problems, lung disorders and diabetes. Sleep disorders also affect the psychological well being of people affected with them. Mood shifts, anxiousness, eating disorders and depression can happen.
Many people, however, don’t even think of a sleeping difficulty as a medical condition. Due to this, many never inform their physician that they are having trouble sleeping. Even though they see their physician regularly for an illness or condition, they rarely mention their difficulty sleeping.
With the public and healthcare community becoming better informed and conscious of the symptoms, side effects and severity of different sleep disorders, more and more cases are being diagnosed. Affected individuals are now being treated with medications, oxygen, cpap units and in some cases surgery. In addition, there are much better assessment methods and tests which uncover sleep disorders earlier. Overnight sleep clinics no longer look like a hospital rooms. They are actually created to look similar to a hotel room to make the client feel more at ease. For some patients, as a result of computerization and miniaturization, devices can be so compact that a good number of tests can be done in the home.
Good sleep is far from being an option or a luxury. It’s actually a essential component of living and of health and well-being. If you believe you, your significant other, or your son or daughter might be suffering from a sleep problem call your physician. Sleep disorders are a medical problem that can and should be successfully treated .