Sleeping Disorders....... a silent epidemicSleeping disorders are becoming increasingly common in society today, and not even children or teens are immune to conditions like insomnia or snoring!
The number of people living with chronic exhaustion has almost reached epidemic proportions here in the US. It's estimated that around 1/4 of the population have fallen victim to a sleep disorder of some kind - that's approximately 70 MILLION PEOPLE! More than half of these suffer chronically. Those figures are frightening, and as staggering as they are, they still may not represent the true size of the problem (see Insomnia Statistics page for more on this). Unlike more conventional health issues, the symptoms of sleeping disorders are largely invisible and can be vague, confusing or seem totally unrelated to sleep. You can't show your doctor how your brain stubbornly refuses to recall words or events; how your emotional balance see-saws wildly; or how your bones and muscles ache and your heart pounds. Traditionally, doctors have been slow to recognize sleeping disorders as true medical conditions, writing off patients' complaints as psychological manifestations (ie "it's all in your head"), or the suffer themselves as 'neurotic'. Anyone who insisted on receiving recognition/treatment was often referred to a psychiatrist. Loathe to be seen as 'complainers', 'slackers' or, worse, 'crazies', the majority of people suffering from sleeping disorders keep their struggles to themselves. Research indicates that almost 70% of Americans who experience sleep related problems don't discuss it with their doctors. Of the remaining 30%, only 5% actually ask for help directly.
The cost of sleep disordersThe sleep deprived citizens of the US are costing this country billions of dollars in health care costs and loss of productivity in the workforce. There are also other, less tangible but equally important, costs to the sufferers themselves.These include poor academic performance, depression and suicide, drug dependency, dysfunctional relationships and many more. Another frightening statistic is that every year in the US, around 100,000 car accidents are attributed to over tired drivers. If you think it's a stretch to link these problems to sleep disorders, ask anyone who's suffering from one - they'll put you straight!
Common Sleep DisordersAlthough there are actually around 80 recognized sleep disorders, there are several that are most often seen. These include :-
But there are many other sleep related problems such as shift work sleeping disorders, sleep walking, sleep terrors and so on. The United States is not alone in this situation either. Many other countries including the United Kingdom, much of Northern Europe, Scandinavian countries and Japan also have populations who have fallen victim to a rising tide of exhaustion. Interestingly the countries most affected are the ones that are considered the most 'advanced' and are the most heavily industrialized. If you suffer from sleep deprivation due to a sleep disorder, it's important to seek help. Many doctors are getting better at recognizing and diagnosing sleep problems, and sleep clinics, medications, behavioral therapies and much more are available to everyone. Given that a chronic sleep disorder can rob you of almost everything that makes life enjoyable (and even an intermittent problem can wreak it's own brand of havoc), learning how to sleep better should definitely be a priority in all our lives! Why not try our Self-administered Sleep Apnea Test or Insomnia Test? A few simple 'yes' or 'no' questions can give you an indication of whether or not you're suffering from this condition Page/Article Links:
Facts About InsomniaWhat is Sleep Apnea What is Narcolepsy? Restless Leg Syndrome Sleep Terror Disorder Bed Wetting Disorder Sleep Aids Return from Sleeping Disorders to Homepage
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