Sleep disorders are extremely problematic. When you don't get a good night's sleep, it can affect your entire day and overall physical and mental health. If you struggle with sleeping soundly at night, it may be time to consider a sleep clinic. If you would like to know more, check out these three common sleep disorders.

1. Insomnia

People who struggle with insomnia often have a hard time falling asleep. If they wake up while sleeping, they may also have a hard time falling asleep, and they often wake up too early and are unable to fall back asleep. In many cases, insomnia is caused by lifestyle choices or stress. However, for some people, there is an underlying health condition, such as a mental health disorder, another sleep disorder, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, or something else.

Treating your insomnia depends on the cause. For example, if stress is causing your insomnia, you may be able to improve the symptoms by working on relaxation techniques, but you may need some form of therapy or prescription medication. With a sleep study, your doctor will be better able to identify your habits and triggers.

2. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when you occasionally stop breathing momentarily while you sleep. You typically only stop breathing for a few seconds, but it is often enough to partially rouse you from your sleep, which can prevent a full night's rest. As a result, you may find that you are sleepy during the day, and you might have a hard time paying attention during the day.

Many of the symptoms occur while you are asleep, which is why a sleep study can help. Symptoms include snoring, stopping breathing, and gasping for air while you sleep. Treatment depends on the severity of the issue. Some people do well with oral appliances from the dentist, but others may need a CPAP machine or surgery.

3. Parasomnia

Parasomnia is a condition that causes you to act abnormal during sleep. This includes talking in your sleep, expressing emotions, making movements, etc. It may occur as you are falling asleep, or it may wake you from sleep. Some common examples of parasomnia include sleep terrors, sleepwalking, sleep-related eating disorders, nightmare disorders, exploding head syndrome, and sleep-related hallucinations.

Parasomnia is often caused by medications or medical conditions, but it can also be triggered by stress, alcohol abuse, depression, and much more. In some cases, lifestyle changes can fix the problem, but some people may need medication.

Sleep disorders are a major problem because they can affect your overall life and health. Unfortunately, it's often hard to tell if you have a sleep disorder. Luckily, a sleep clinic can help. If you would like to know more, contact a resource like Elkview General Hospital that runs a sleep clinic in your area today.

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