It’s perfectly fine for anyone to have a hard time falling asleep or staying in dreamland once in a while. However, it is an entirely different story if it’s a recurring issue. You may already have a sleep disorder, and not just something that temporarily strikes during stress, financial crises, workplace troubles or marital problems.
Eventually, it’s not just those massive eye bags that you have to worry about if you’re suffering from a sleep disorder. Both your mind and body will have a hard time keeping up with the challenges you have to face on a daily basis. Your mood, too, will be out of whack due to the resulting fluctuations in your hormones.
Medical professionals say that having a sleep disorder can also put you at risk of obesity and high blood pressure, which is something that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Since it can have a huge impact on your everyday life and overall health, it’s of utmost importance for a sleep disorder to be dealt with. The initial step that you have to take if you feel like you have the problem is seek the help of a sleep specialist who is an expert at diagnosing and treating sleep-related conditions.
Here are some of the signs that you may need to pay a sleep specialist a visit ASAP:
Snoring a Lot
It’s normal for people to snore from time to time. However, it’s a warning sign that you may have a sleep disorder if you tend to snore loudly and a lot. If your partner keeps telling you that your excessive snoring is keeping him or her wide awake at night, it’s a good idea for you to consult a sleep specialist.
Waking Up to a Nightmare
Having a bad dream once in a while is perfectly normal. It is a different story, however, if having really scary and realistic nightmares is a commonplace. You may actually be suffering from a type of sleep problem known as nightmare disorder, and it’s something that can surely keep you from having a restful sleep each time.
Feeling Tired in the Morning
You’re quite sure that you just enjoyed about 8 hours of sleep but it feels extremely challenging to get out of your bed and have your day started. Having a sleep disorder can keep you from getting to those sleep levels that promote utmost restoration of your brain and the rest of your body.
Taking Frequent Naps
Do you often nod off plenty of times during the day, such as when watching a TV show or reading a book, or while in the middle of an office meeting? Your body might be telling you that you are deprived of sleep. This telltale sign of a sleep disorder can be a danger to you and others, such as when you’re behind the wheel or using a machine.
Having Trouble Concentrating
Since a sleep disorder can keep your brain from having much-needed rest and restoration, you may find it hard to focus or concentrate. According to studies, a sleep disorder can also negatively affect your coordination, attention span and reaction time. Certainly, your work or school performance will go downhill.
Eating Badly
Numerous studies have shown that losing sleep even for just one night is enough to make a person’s eating habits head south, and this is something that can lead to obesity and other related issues like diabetes and heart disease. Similarly, having bad eating habits especially at night can also be the one that’s behind your sleep problem.
Suffering From a Health Problem
Do you have depression or arthritis for a while now that makes falling or staying a sleep a very difficult task? Then it’s not unlikely for your chronic health problem to leave you with a sleep disorder. Seek the help of someone who is an expert on the medical issue you have to get it managed as well as negative effects it has on your life.
