Waking up fatigued and lifeless means the sleep cycle isn’t occurring and a sleeping disorder could be the culprit. In order for all the systems of the human body to function properly a good night sleep is necessary. To ensure a proper night sleep does happen for good mental and physical help it’s essential to figure out what sleeping disorder is wreaking havoc.  The best way to do that is to consider doing a sleep study or multiple sleep tests by doing a sleep study done by medical professionals.

How can a sleep study help diagnose a sleeping disorder?

A sleep study can help diagnose a sleeping disorder because it uses a test and sometimes a variety of tests to help figure out what is preventing the body from getting into the sleeping cycle and staying in it. The types of test used in a sleep study are:

1. Polysomnogram: This test is used if a sleeping disorder is suspected and it studies the brain, breathing and muscle activity that occurs as an individual is sleeping.
2. Multiple Sleep Latency Test: This particular test helps determine how long it takes for a person to fall asleep. It is used to diagnose people suffering from narcolepsy disorder or idiopathic hypersomnia.
3. The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Test: This test is helpful for diagnosing forms of sleep apnea. Those three forms are obstructive, central and mixed. The form is determined by measuring a person’s breathing pattern, heart rate, oxygen levels, brain waves and limb movements that occur during sleep.
4. Maintenance of Wakefulness Test: This test is useful for studying how well a person stays awake throughout the day and keeps track of when or if they fall asleep during the downtimes in this study.

What are some of the signs of a possible sleeping disorder?

• Chronic Snoring
• Feeling exhausted during the day
• Falling asleep frequently during the day
• Irregular breathing patterns at nighttime that prevent an individual from falling asleep and staying asleep
• Increased tossing and turning during the night
• Trouble falling asleep
• Irritability and mood changes during the day due to exhaustion
• Feeling physically unwell due to a weakened immune system caused by a lack of sleep
• Low energy levels upon waking
• Dark circles around the eyes
• Frequent Urination

What are some of the treatments used for sleep disorders?

The treatments used to treat an individual with a sleeping disorder depends on what type of sleeping disorder the person has. For example, patients with medical conditions that cause their sleeping disorder prescription medication might be used. Patients with behavior issues might undergo cognitive behavioral therapy before a prescription is prescribed to treat the sleeping disorder. Other treatments that help sleep disorder patients are sleep hygiene and sleep routines that help create balance by putting the patient on a routine. For mild sleeping disorders, alternative therapies tend to work and those are:

• Massage Therapy: Helps relax the body physically and mentally through physical touch which can relieve stresses that could be keeping a person awake.
• Aromatherapy: To calm the body and mind before bed with the use of smells from lavender, chamomile, rose absolute, jasmine or whatever aroma is calming to the individual looking to get some sleep.
• Melatonin Supplements: The supplements work with the body’s natural ability to produce the proper amounts of sleep hormone to help a person fall asleep and stay asleep.
• Warm Baths: Baths before bed in relaxing bath salts helps with calming the mind and body before bed which can promote a goodnight sleep naturally.
• Snacking on Bedtime Snacks that Induce Sleep: Snacks that induce sleep because they contain nutrients that promote relaxation are bananas, dairy products, turkey, strawberries, popcorn, oatmeal, peanut butter crackers, pistachios, and carrot sticks with hummus.
• Meditation: Practicing meditation before bed is a great way to calm the mind and relax the body. Sometimes it puts people right to sleep and keeps them in a deep sleep throughout the night.

What are some end thoughts to keep in mind for sleeping disorders?

The best time to consider a sleeping test is anytime the sleeping cycle is not occurring and an individual is not feeling physically and mentally well-rested. Remember, a sleep study can help diagnose a sleeping disorder and help with finding proper treatment so sleep can be had properly. After all, getting into a regular sleeping cycle is the only true way to get the sleep a human needs to stay physically and mentally healthy and strong so life can be lived fully without exhaustion.