What to Know
In a busy world, quality sleep is crucial for keeping our bodies healthy and functioning properly. Sleep disorders affect our ability to sleep, which can have a negative effect on waking activities and overall health. According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans chronically suffer from a disorder of sleep and wakefulness. These disorders are often overlooked, but thankfully, they are often treatable.
How Does Sleep Impact Physical Health?
Anyone who has pulled an all-nighter or worked the graveyard shift knows from experience how sleep loss has consequences on physical health. Sleep plays a key role in restoring the body and promoting healthy functioning. Dr. Charles Tapley, family medicine physician at CHI Memorial, explains, “You need sleep to feel awake and alert enough during the day to do your normal activities. It’s also important for keeping your body healthy, learning information, and storing memories. Sleep can help lower your risk of getting sick or help you get better faster if you are sick. It helps children and adults build muscles and repair cells and tissues in the body.”
Sleep is connected to many systems of the body, including oral health, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health, memory and cognitive function, and immune function. These systems can be disrupted by sleep disorders, putting you at higher risk for developing other health issues. Consistently struggling with sleep loss can also negatively impact mental health. While the amount of sleep you need might vary, most experts recommend adults get seven to nine hours of sleep every night for optimal rest.
The risk for developing sleep disorders can increase due to medical conditions, medications, lifestyle habits, or aging. “In general, sleep patterns do evolve as we age,” explains Dr. Robert Rudd, sleep medicine specialist at Erlanger. “Patients typically have less ‘deep sleep,’ which is our restorative or restful sleep, as we get older. The reasons for this are not well-understood but may be related to changes in different hormone levels as we age. In addition, while men are overall more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than women, women begin to have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea after menopause.”
Types of Sleep Disorders
There are over 80 recognized sleep disorders. Many share symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or movements and behaviors that interfere with sleep. In addition to specific symptoms, those who suffer from disordered sleeping may “experience fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, mood changes, depression, reduced libido, increased risk of Alzheimer’s, heart disease, obesity, weakened immune responses, and other chronic health problems,” according to Dr. Kent White at The Chattanooga Center for Sleep. Listed below are the major categories of sleep disorders as defined by the third edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, as well as examples of common disorders within each category.
Insomnia
Difficulty falling and staying asleep
Chronic insomnia: Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep for most nights for at least three months.
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
Your breathing changes while you sleep
Obstructive sleep apnea: Breathing momentarily stops and starts while sleeping, often causing snoring or gasping
Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence
Trouble feeling alert during the day
Narcolepsy: Difficulty regulating when you fall asleep or staying awake.
Sleep-Related Movement Disorders
Physical movements that make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep
Restless legs syndrome: The urge to move your legs while you rest, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Parasomnias
Physical actions or verbal expressions
during sleep like walking, talking, or eating
REM sleep behavior disorder: Acting out your dreams while in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
Your internal clock makes it difficult to fall asleep and wake up on time
Shift work sleep disorder: Difficulty managing sleep and wakefulness due to your work schedule, like working the night shift.
These categories are set by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition (ICSD-3R).
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to recognize if you’re suffering from a sleep disorder or to know if your sleep patterns are out of the norm. Your loved ones may have noticed signs of a sleep disorder, and you can also reference a sleep tracker, such as a smart watch, or keep a sleep journal to track your sleep patterns.
“It’s important to note there are so many different sleep disorders and multiple ways to treat them,” says Dr. Rudd, “so if you are experiencing poor sleep quality, frequent awakenings, awakening gasping, or daytime sleepiness or fatigue, make sure you speak with a medical provider and, if necessary, seek guidance from a sleep specialist.”
After discussing symptoms with a healthcare provider, you may be directed to undergo a sleep study. Sleep studies track the activity of multiple body systems while you sleep, including your heart, brain, and respiratory system. Typically, a sleep study is held overnight in a sleep lab. Dr. Tapley shares what to expect from the experience: “Before you go to sleep, a technician attaches small, sticky patches called electrodes to you head, chest, and legs. They will also place a small tube beneath your nose and might wrap one or two belts around your chest. The study results tell your doctor if you have sleep apnea.” Certain tests can also be done in the comfort of your home using a pulse oximeter, wristwatch, and chest sensor. Your provider can help determine what tests are best for you.
Getting Better Sleep
A healthcare provider can work with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your sleep patterns and any underlying conditions. Treatment options could include changing your sleeping routine, undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy, certain medications or supplements, a breathing device like a CPAP machine or an oral appliance, or light therapy.
While it’s best to seek care from a specialist to treat a specific condition, practicing good “sleep hygiene” can improve overall sleep quality. This means creating a comfortable sleep environment where you can get your best possible night of sleep. “Maintain a consistent sleep schedule,” Dr. White suggests. “Create a relaxing bedtime routine by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet (earplugs, blackout curtains, or white noise machine). Limit exposure to screens at bedtime. Stay active and watch your diet.” If you’re struggling to fall asleep, don’t watch the clock. Small habits like these can reduce your stress and promote healthier patterns for better rest.
You may not notice how much sleep loss is affecting your quality of life until you begin to see positive treatment results. Seeking care for a sleep disorder can restore your energy and get you back to the activities that you love.
Charles Tapley, MD
Family Medicine Physician,
CHI Memorial Family Practice Associates – North River
Kent E. White, DDS, LVIF
TMJ & Oral Appliance Therapy Specialist,
The Chattanooga Center for
Sleep Inc.
Robert M. Rudd, MD
Sleep Medicine Specialist,
Erlanger Pulmonology and Critical Care
Meet the Author
Tory Irmeger, BA, English
Tory Irmeger graduated from Lee University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing. While at Lee, Tory served as head of copy for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Tory has led ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
