Are you also having trouble sleeping at night? Let's talk about these sleep disorders.

How refreshed and relaxed can you start the next day after a good night's sleep? But sometimes you toss and turn in bed until dawn, feeling exhausted, dizzy, and unable to do anything properly the next day, right? This is normal from time to time. But if you experience this condition regularly, it is not just 'insomnia', but a sleep-related problem that needs attention , or as we call it, a `Sleep Disorder`.

Why is good sleep so important to us?

Simply put, sleep is the process by which both our body and mind "recharge." When we sleep, we go through several sleep cycles. There are two main stages. One is deep sleep , or `NREM - Non-Rapid Eye Movement` sleep. The other is `REM - Rapid Eye Movement` sleep . During healthy sleep, we move back and forth between these two stages several times.

Imagine what happens if, for some reason, you can't complete this sleep cycle properly. That's when you feel extremely tired the next day, can't concentrate, and can't do your work properly . Driving a vehicle or working with machinery when you're sleep deprived is very dangerous. Because even a little sleepiness can cause a big accident.

What are the most common sleep problems?

Sleep problems can come in all shapes and sizes. Some are very common, while others are a little more unusual. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.

Let's talk about these issues in a little more detail.

Insomnia: This is a common problem for many people. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, or depression, such as an exam or a problem at work. Sometimes it can also be caused by poor sleep habits.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Although we often laugh at snoring, it can be a symptom of a serious condition called `Sleep Apnea`. In this, the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, temporarily blocking the airway. Then breathing stops, reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the brain. At that moment, the body wakes us up. This can happen hundreds of times throughout the night, but we don't remember it. But we are very tired the next day. If left untreated, this can lead to serious diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke .

Circadian Rhythm Disorders: There is a small part of our brain called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. It acts like our body's internal clock. It controls when we need to sleep and when we need to wake up. This clock is "reset" by light and exercise. Jet lag, which occurs when traveling between countries, and shift work for people like nurses and security guards, can disrupt this clock.

Pregnancy and sleep: It's very common for pregnant mothers to have sleep problems, especially during the first and third trimesters. Hormonal changes, frequent bathroom trips, physical discomfort, and anxiety about the baby can all contribute to this.

Night Terrors and Sleepwalking: These are most common in young children, especially those between the ages of 3 and 5. During a ``Night Terror,'' the child suddenly wakes up screaming and unable to explain what happened. The parents are often more frightened than the child. However, this is usually not harmful to the child.

Why do we have these sleep problems?

• Lifestyle: Drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea late at night, smoking, and drinking alcohol directly affect sleep. Even if you fall asleep after drinking alcohol, it disrupts deep sleep.
• Other medical conditions: Conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, neurological disease, vitamin and iron deficiencies can cause sleep problems. For example, someone with a heart condition may experience breathlessness when lying down.
• Medications : Some medications we take can cause insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness as a side effect. If you suspect that this is due to a medication you are taking, be sure to talk to your doctor about it .
• Age: Sleep patterns change as we age. Older people tend to have less deep sleep. Also, having to get up frequently to urinate can disrupt sleep. Although babies sleep for about 16 hours a day, they don't start sleeping through the night until about 4 months of age.

When should I see a doctor?

There's nothing to be afraid of if you don't sleep for a day or two every now and then. However, if any of the following apply to you, it's important to see a doctor.

• If lack of sleep is interfering with your daily activities, work, or studies .
• If your partner says you stop breathing during sleep and suddenly wake up gasping for breath .
• If this sleep problem has been going on for weeks .
• Even if you do simple things at home (e.g., stop looking at your phone before bedtime) there is no difference.
• If you are feeling very stressed or anxious because of this sleep problem.

Sleep, Sleep Problems, Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Snoring