The latest research shows that 50-70 million adults experience chronic sleep disorders. To make matters worse, nearly 40% of all adults struggle with involuntary sleeping during daylight hours – an issue directly associated with these disorders. Your mental health can be negatively affected by sleep disorders.
How can you tell if you have a sleep disorder?
If you’ve been having difficulty getting a good night’s sleep, it may indicate a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders can lead to negative impacts of your mental health. Common signs of sleep disorders include feeling tired during the day despite trying to get enough rest, routinely waking up in the middle of the night or early morning and being unable to fall back asleep, not feeling rested after a full night’s sleep, snoring frequently or abnormally loudly while sleeping, and grinding teeth while asleep.
If any of these symptoms are familiar to you, it could suggest that you have a sleep disorder, and you should talk to your physician, who can help you address the underlying cause of your impaired sleep. Improvement of sleep issues can also improve mental health.
The most common types of sleep disorders include:
Insomnia:
People struggling with insomnia cannot enter sleep easily or remain asleep for a sufficient amount of time.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea involves frequent pauses in breathing during sleep, which can lead to a severe decline in sleep quality.
Restless Leg Syndrome:
Restless leg syndrome is characterized by an urge to move one’s legs when at rest, leading to difficulty achieving deep sleep.
Narcolepsy:
People with narcolepsy experience unexpected episodes of daytime sleepiness. These episodes can occur suddenly and without warning, disrupting the person’s everyday activities.
What are some of the potential causes of sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders have become increasingly common and can negatively impact physical health, mental health, quality of life, and overall well-being. There are several potential causes of sleep disorders, including lifestyle choices such as excessive drinking or drug use, environmental factors such as noise or bright lights, and medical conditions or treatments; there may even be an overlap with mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety.
Many sleep disorders have medical origins, so it is essential to understand the cause of a sleep disorder because treatment options can vary greatly depending on what contributes to it. Working closely with a healthcare professional who understands your situation is essential in developing a personalized plan to help you get back to sleeping peacefully and get your mental health back on track.
What are the long-term effects of untreated sleep disorders?
People suffering from untreated sleep disorders can face several long-term health problems. Sleep disorders lead to a lack of energy, making it difficult to complete everyday tasks or meet the demands of daily life. In the long run, this can lead to problems with concentration and memory and a decline in mental health and performance.
When left untreated, an individual is at higher risk for mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety (due to disrupting normal sleeping patterns). Uninterrupted sleep is essential for healthy dietary habits and physical exercise; an overall lack of activity can result in obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and even diabetes. It’s essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep disorder so that timely treatment and management can be started. Seeking professional help regarding sleep-related issues is a significant step towards better mental health and overall health!
What can you do to reduce your risk of a sleep disorder?
If you are concerned about the possibility of developing a sleep disorder, there are several lifestyle changes that you can implement to reduce your risk. For example, maintaining a regular, consistent sleep schedule and avoiding long naps during the day are important for establishing healthy sleep habits.
Engaging in activities to reduce stress, making sure your bedroom is comfortable and dark for optimal sleeping conditions, and limiting caffeine intake are all measures that can help promote better overall sleep at night. Making these small lifestyle changes may be just the thing you need to combat difficulties with falling or staying asleep. However, lifestyle changes aren’t enough for many people with sleep disorders.
If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with a sleep disorder, it is best to consult your doctor for advice and further examination. With the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, most people can find relief from their sleeping difficulties.
Common Treatments for Sleep Disorders
There are many effective treatments for sleep disorders, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medical devices such as CPAP machines. CBT seeks to change maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be contributing to the disorder. For example, a person with insomnia may need to learn to manage stress better or reduce negative thinking before bedtime.
Through this process of cognitive restructuring, individuals can gain the skills and strategies needed to improve their sleep and reduce symptoms associated with their disorder. CPAP machines are commonly used to treat sleep apnea, where a mask is worn to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) throughout the night. This helps to keep the airway open and reduce breathing pauses that can lead to disrupted sleep. PrTMS is a relatively new yet effective way to treat certain sleep disorders.
How can PrTMS help?
PrTMS is a personalized treatment for sleep disorders that uses Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). It involves using an electromagnetic coil to produce magnetic pulses that travel through the skull into a specific brain area to normalize brain activity. Before treatment, a patient’s brain activity is analyzed using an EEG, and data from a questionnaire about their symptoms and sleep patterns are collected.
This information is then combined, analyzed, and used to determine which areas of the brain should be targeted with PrTMS while also optimizing the intensity of the magnetic impulses needed to treat disruptions in brainwave activity. During treatment, patients may experience sensations such as tapping or vibration on their scalp. Afterward, they may notice elevated moods and improved quality of sleep.
What can you expect during PrTMS treatment for sleep issues?
After the initial assessment session, patients attend regular sessions over several weeks involving applying a specialized device placed on the scalp. During each session, the patient will lie comfortably in a chair while magnets are applied to specific areas of the scalp. The benefits of PrTMS can be noticed after as little as one or two sessions and can last up to several months, depending on the individual’s needs and condition.
Typical results range from improved sleep quality, reduced symptoms of depression, increased energy and motivation levels, improved concentration and focus, better memory recall ability, enhanced moods, and increased resilience. Mindset PrTMS by Serene Heath may be the right treatment option if you have a history of sleep issues. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping our patients find a way to get the restful sleep they need for improved overall health.
Along with PrTMS, Serene Health also offers a variety of behavioral health and mental health services, and we’re here to help you find the right solutions for better overall mental health and well-being. Call us at 844-737-3638 or visit www.serenehealth.com for more information or to book an appointment.
