| Sleep disorders usually have their roots in a medical | | | | Alzheimer's disease impairs the intellectual functions of |
| problem or a prescription drug taken to treat a | | | | the brain and causes dementia. It also causes a sleep |
| disease. The common diseases leading to sleep | | | | disorder called fragmentation. |
| disorders are cardiovascular, neurological, mental, | | | | Epilepsy affects the normal electrical functions of the |
| kidney, and gastroesopheal disorders as well as | | | | brain and leads to short, sudden changes in it that are |
| arthritis. | | | | recurrent. People suffering from epilepsy are more |
| 1. Cardiovascular Disorders | | | | likely to suffer from insomnia. |
| The most common cardiovascular disorders that | | | | Usually, stroke is associated with obstructive sleep |
| cause sleep disorders are coronary artery disease | | | | apnea. |
| and congestive heart failure. Both these disorders can | | | | 4. Respiratory Disorders |
| cause obstructive sleep apnea. | | | | Those suffering from a respiratory disorder such as |
| Congestive heart failure is characterized by the | | | | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma |
| inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to | | | | usually suffer from an accompanying sleep disorder |
| satisfy the requirements of the body. As a result of | | | | such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation. |
| this, blood accumulates in the veins leading to the | | | | The air passages of those suffering from asthma are |
| kidneys, and the resulting edema inflicts a lot of | | | | inflamed. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also |
| damage to the organs of the body. | | | | known as COPD, is a group of respiratory disorders |
| Coronary heart disease is characterized by the | | | | that cause untold damage to the lungs and lead to |
| accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries that | | | | difficulties in breathing. |
| carry blood to the heart, leading to a condition | | | | 5. Mental Disorders |
| known as atherosclerosis. | | | | People suffering from psychological disorders such as |
| 2. Endocrine Disorders | | | | anxiety, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, |
| Sleep disorders are also the result of endocrine | | | | depression, and schizophrenia also suffer from sleep |
| malfunction such as thyroid disorder and diabetes. | | | | disorders such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation. |
| Diabetes affects the way in which the body stores | | | | 6. GERD |
| and uses carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. People | | | | In gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known |
| who do not manage and control their diabetic | | | | as GERD, the juices in the stomach flow back into |
| condition often suffer from restless leg syndrome. | | | | the esophagus, and this leads to sleep fragmentation. |
| The hormones released by the thyroid gland | | | | 7. Kidney Disorders |
| regulates the energy levels of the body. A person | | | | In most kidney disorders, the kidneys are unable to |
| suffering from hyperthyroidism sweats profusely at | | | | filter the waste substances from the blood. They are |
| night and is unable to enjoy a peaceful night's rest. | | | | also unable to maintain a proper balance between salt |
| 3. Neurological Disorders | | | | and water. Such a kidney disorder could lead to |
| Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, | | | | insomnia and restless leg syndrome. |
| strokes, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease are also | | | | 8. Arthritis |
| responsible for sleep disorders. | | | | The intense pain suffered by arthritis patients drives |
| Parkinson's disease affects the central nervous | | | | away sleep, resulting in insomnia. |
| system. It's symptoms include difficulties in | | | | If a sleep disorder is due to a medical condition, the |
| movement, tremors, unstable posture, slow | | | | medical condition should be treated first, not the |
| movements, stiffness in the muscles, and difficulties | | | | sleep disorder. When the primary cause of a sleep |
| in walking. Parkinson's disease causes sleep disorders | | | | disorder is successfully treated, it disappears, and the |
| such as sleep onset insomnia and REM sleep behavior | | | | patient finds that he or she can enjoy good sleep. |
| disorder. | | | | |