Do you need treatment for a sleep disorder?

Insomnia refers to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It can have a significant impact on energy levels, mood, overall health, and quality of life. Short-term insomnia is often caused by specific circumstances, while chronic insomnia requires addressing underlying causes and adopting good sleep habits.

Snoring is a common problem that can be caused by factors such as being overweight, consuming alcohol, smoking, or allergies. It can be disruptive to households. Treatment options include using a special mouthguard, laser treatment, addressing allergies or nasal blockages, and encouraging side-sleeping. In children, removing tonsils can help alleviate snoring.

Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to the temporary collapse of the airway at the back of the mouth. Symptoms include loud snoring, gasping upon waking, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea is linked to various health issues. Treatment options range from oral appliances to keep airways open, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, and, in some cases, surgery.

Other sleep problems include shift work disorder, characterised by sleepiness and insomnia related to work schedules; narcolepsy, involving recurrent episodes of falling asleep during waking hours; and restless legs syndrome, which is an uncontrollable urge to move the legs while trying to sleep. Each of these conditions can disrupt sleep and impact daily functioning.

If you experience ongoing problems sleeping, it is advisable to speak to a doctor. They can help diagnose and treat sleep disorders.