Actually this is the case that i studied in psychology class this morning. It's about: SLEEP DISORDER . Everybody should concern about this matter cuz serious sleep disorder will likely lead to death. So,do not take sleep for granted okay.
Sleep is one of the human body’s biological rhythms.Humans, like most animals and plants, have biological rhythms, known as circadian rhythms, which are controlled by a biological clock and work on a daily time scale.
Everyone experiences occasional sleep problems, but getting a good night’s sleep is essential for feeling refreshed and alert during the day. Lack of sleep might make you feel foggy and unable to concentrate, or just a lesser version of your normal self. Sleep problems will eventually disrupt your work, family and personal relationships.
These affect body temperature, alertness, appetite, hormone secretion as well as sleep timing. The sleep-wake is a circadian rhythm as it occurs at least once during 24 hours. Within a circadian, a person usually sleeps approximately 8 hours.
Falling asleep and waking up are controlled by a number of chemical changes in the brain and the blood. Foods and medicines that alter the balance of these chemicals also can affect how well we sleep. For example, caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate, can cause insomnia (lack of sleep) and antidepressants, alcohol, and smoking can cause a loss of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Smoking and alcohol also can result in a loss of deep sleep. Both REM and deep sleep are essential parts of the normal sleep cycle.
Why Does the Body Need Sleep?
Sleep is essential for normal immune system function and to maintain the ability to fight disease and sickness. Sleep also is essential for normal nervous system function and the ability to function both physically and mentally. In addition, sleep is essential for learning and for normal, healthy cell growth. A good sleep is important for memory and the ability to think well.
Stages of Sleep
There are 4 stages of sleep that cycle over and over again during a single night's rest: stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and REM (rapid eye movement). Stages 1 through 4 are also known as non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). A complete sleep cycle, from the beginning of stage 1 to the end of REM, usually takes about an hour and a half.
Stage 1 is light sleep during which the muscles begin to relax and a person can be easily awakened.
Stage 2, brain activity slows down and eye movement stops. Stages 3 and 4 comprise deep sleep, during which all eye and muscle movement ceases. It can be difficult to wake a person during deep sleep.
Stage 3 is characterized by very slow brain waves (delta waves), interspersed with small, quick waves.
Stage 4, the brain waves are all delta waves.
It is during deep sleep that some people sleepwalk and children may experience bedwetting. It is during REM sleep that dreams occur. The muscles of the body stiffen, the eyes move, the heart rate increases, breathing becomes more rapid and irregular, and the blood pressure rises.
SLEEP DISORDER
TYPES OF SLEEP PROBLEMS
- Insomnia
Almost everyone will be affected by insomnia at some point during life. Insomnia – a short term or chronic inability to get high quality sleep – is a common sleep problem and can be caused by a variety of things including stress, a change in time zones, an altered sleep schedule or poor bedtime habits. Whether your problem is an occasional sleepless night or a series of them, plenty of solutions exist to help you get better sleep.
The great news is that insomnia doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. In many cases, self help techniques, including improved sleep hygiene, relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can alleviate insomnia and promote better health as well as better sleep. Helpguide has two articles devoted to a wide range of insomnia cures and self help tips for improving your sleep.
Medications should be a last resort for insomnia – they do not provide lasting treatment and have numerous possible side effects.
- Sleep apnea
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can be potentially very serious, and even life-threatening. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more, and the pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour. During the episodes of apnea, the sleeper wakes up to breathe again, disrupting sleep, and also suffers from a brief lack of oxygen.
- Frequent gaps in breathing during sleep (apnea)
- Gasping or choking for air to restart breathing, often causing sleeper or partner to wake
- Loud snoring
- Feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep and excessive daytime tiredness
The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. Causes of sleep apnea are generally physical in nature, including excess weight or tissue (sometimes from being overweight or obese), large tonsils or adenoids, nasal congestion or blockage or a unique shaped head, neck or chin.
CPAP, a mechanical device worn while sleeping which provides continuous air pressure to keep the airway open, is the most recommended treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. CPAP can take some getting used to, but provides effective relief when used correctly.
Self help treatments, like losing weight, elevating the head of the bed or sleeping on your side, can also be effective remedies for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Dental appliances and surgery are also treatment options.
- Snoring
Snoring, which is sometimes confused with sleep apnea, can be a significant obstacle to quality sleep both for yourself and your partner.
Snoring is caused by a narrowing of your airway, either from poor sleep posture, excess weight or physical abnormalities of your throat. A narrow airway gets in the way of smooth breathing and creates the sound of snoring. The snoring noise doesn’t necessarily that the airway is obstructed, as it is in sleep apnea. Snoring may accompany sleep apnea, but not always.
There are many self help remedies and cures for snoring. If you are a mild snorer, sleeping on your side, elevating the head of your bed, or losing weight may stop the snoring. Don’t give up trying to find a solution for your snoring – it will make you and your partner sleep better.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS)
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) is a related condition involving involuntary, rhythmic limb movements, either while asleep or when awake. While most people who have Restless Legs Syndrome also have PLMD, only some people with PLMD also have RLS.Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder causing an almost irresistible urge to move the legs (or arms). The urge to move occurs when resting or lying down and is usually due to uncomfortable, tingly, or creeping sensations in the legs or affected limbs. Movement eases the feelings, but only for a while.
RLS can occur on its own or be related to other medical conditions, such as anemia, kidney disease, pregnancy, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s or alcoholism. RLS may run in families.
Alternative therapies, lifestyle changes, and even nutritional supplements have proven helpful for RLS and PLMD sufferers.
- Narcolepsy
The “sleep attacks” experienced by people with narcolepsy occur even after getting enough sleep at night, and make it difficult for people to live normal lives. Falling asleep during activities like walking, driving or working can have dangerous results.Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes extreme sleepiness and may even make a person fall asleep suddenly and without warning. Specific causes of narcolepsy are not known but people with narcolepsy are lacking hypocretin, a brain chemical which regulates sleep and wakefulness.
Symptoms of narcolepsy include:
- Intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the daytime
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sudden, short-lived loss of muscle control during emotional situations (cataplexy)
Narcolepsy may be genetic, but it also appears to be influenced by environmental triggers. Treatment requires a combination of medication, behavioral treatments, and counseling.
DIAGNOSE
DIAGNOSE
Self-diagnosis
To determine if you have a sleep disorder, first pay attention to your sleep habits and daily routine. Keeping a record of your sleep patterns will help you and your doctor find the cause of your sleep problems.
A sleep diary, compiled by you and your sleep partner, can highlight lifestyle factors related to sleep disorders, and help your doctor or sleep specialist, if you choose to see one. A sleep diary should record all sleep-related information, including:
- time you went to bed and woke up (total sleep hours)
- quality of your sleep - times that you were awake and activity (e.g., stayed in bed with eyes closed, or got up, had a glass of milk, and meditated)
- types and amount of food, liquids, caffeine, or alcohol you consumed before bed, and times of consumption
- feelings and moods before bed – happiness, sadness, stress, anxiety
- drugs or medications taken, amounts taken, and times of consumption
The details can be important, and a sleep diary might reveal that your pre-bedtime behavior is ruining your chance for a good night’s sleep. For example, after keeping the diary for a week your might notice that more than two alcoholic drinks in the evening disrupts your sleep or that regular exercise helps you sleep better.
Seeing a doctor
Doctors will consider many things before making a diagnosis including:
- description of symptoms
- age and gender
- psychological and medical history
- sleep diary and sleep questionnaire
- possible medical conditions
- medical tests
- sleep center data
Your doctor will probably suggest behavioral and environmental changes as first steps of your treatment. Regardless of your sleep problem, a consistent sleep routine and improved sleep habits will translate into better sleep over the long term.
VERSE FROM QURAN:
VERSE FROM QURAN:
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| Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. Az- Zumar:42 |
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