Sleep disorders are a huge problem for Americans. From minor cases of insomnia to more serious cases of sleep apnea, millions of people struggle with getting to sleep at night. There are a number of ways to deal with sleep disorders, from simple relaxation techniques to medical treatments. Which technique you need to use depends largely on the type and severity of your sleep problem.
A simple case of insomnia can often be easily treated. Simply changing your routine at night can help you to sleep. For example, if you normally watch TV before bed, try reading instead. If you have a glass of wine close to bed time, consider drinking warm milk instead. However, when it comes to your actual sleeping routine, it is good to keep it the same. You should try to go to bed at the same time every night, for instance.
For more serious insomnia, there are various treatments. You can take an over-the-counter sleep aid or see a doctor to possibly get a prescription. There also are methods such as hypnosis that can help solve your problem.
More serious sleep issues such as sleep apnea can call for a more serious solution. Many people confuse sleep apnea with severe snoring, but it is much more than that. People with sleep apnea actually stop breathing dozens or even hundreds of times while sleeping. In addition to causing very bad sleep and leaving people tired, it also can cause serious health problems. People with untreated sleep apnea are three times as likely to have heart problems. In fact, studies have shown that approximately 38,000 deaths each year from cardiovascular causes that are linked to sleep apnea. That’s why it’s important to get your sleep apnea treated.
Though losing weight and getting a chronic health condition such as diabetes under control can help with sleep apnea, the only real treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure machine. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat to help a person breathe better while he or she is sleeping. CPAP machines can be uncomfortable, and many people cannot or won’t stick with the treatment. However, using CPAP machines with CPAP masks is the only real effective treatment for sleep apnea.
