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How do I Choose the Best Sleep Disorder Treatment?

Emma Lloyd
Emma Lloyd

Sleep disorders can take many different forms. Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and even snoring are all examples of sleep disorders that can reduce sleep quality or cause sleep deprivation. To choose the best sleep disorder treatment, it’s important to take into account the type of sleep disorder involved, and whether it has psychological or physical causes.

Restful sleep is essential for good health. Most people have trouble sleeping from time to time, but for some, occasional insomnia can be a precursor to more serious problems. Sleep disorders that lead to trouble sleeping or achieving restful sleep can cause mental and physical problems such as depression, increased anxiety, slow reactions, difficulty concentrating, and intense fatigue.

Insomnia could be a precursor to more serious issues.
Insomnia could be a precursor to more serious issues.

Some sleep disorders, such as snoring, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea, tend to have physical rather than mental causes. In these cases, the best sleep disorder treatment is one that focuses on treating physical symptoms or the underlying cause of the problem. In the case of sleep apnea, for example, an effective treatment program typically includes the use of a worn mechanical device that keeps airways open during sleep.

Keeping a sleep diary may be helpful when dealing with a sleep disorder.
Keeping a sleep diary may be helpful when dealing with a sleep disorder.

In contrast, some sleep disorders have a psychological cause rather than a physical cause. When sleep disorders have a psychological cause, the most effective sleep disorder treatment is often a combination of temporary medication in conjunction with some form of therapy or counseling. Depression often causes insomnia, and in such cases anti-depressants can help treat both the depression and the resulting sleep disorder.

Treatment for snoring will typically focus on the underlying cause.
Treatment for snoring will typically focus on the underlying cause.

Choosing the best sleep disorder treatment isn’t always as clear-cut as focusing solely on the underlying cause of the disorder. In the case of narcolepsy, for example, the true cause of symptoms is not solely physical. Narcolepsy, which causes affected individuals to suddenly fall asleep during the day, is an inherited disorder with environmental and psychological triggers. Even though the physical cause of narcolepsy is known to be a lack of a regulatory hormone called hypocretin, counseling and behavioral modification are used in conjunction with medication to treat the disorder.

Sleep apnea patients typically find that CPAP devices are quite helpful in treating the disorder.
Sleep apnea patients typically find that CPAP devices are quite helpful in treating the disorder.

Given that sleep disorder treatment is not an exact science, paying attention to daily routines and sleeping habits is an important step in treatment too. Making a sleep diary can help pinpoint behaviors that might lead to or exacerbate a sleep disorder. For example, it can show how moods during the day or evening, foods eaten, or medications taken, can have an effect on sleep duration and quality.

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    • Insomnia could be a precursor to more serious issues.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      Insomnia could be a precursor to more serious issues.
    • Keeping a sleep diary may be helpful when dealing with a sleep disorder.
      By: PicciaNeri
      Keeping a sleep diary may be helpful when dealing with a sleep disorder.
    • Treatment for snoring will typically focus on the underlying cause.
      By: Tracy King
      Treatment for snoring will typically focus on the underlying cause.
    • Sleep apnea patients typically find that CPAP devices are quite helpful in treating the disorder.
      By: BVDC
      Sleep apnea patients typically find that CPAP devices are quite helpful in treating the disorder.
    • Sleep studies are used to devise a treatment regimen so that people with sleep disorders can rest more comfortably.
      By: Sanjay Deva
      Sleep studies are used to devise a treatment regimen so that people with sleep disorders can rest more comfortably.
    • Moods and food eaten during the day can have an affect on sleep duration and quality.
      By: Monkey Business
      Moods and food eaten during the day can have an affect on sleep duration and quality.
    • Narcolepsy has both environmental as well as psychological triggers.
      By: Klaus Eppele
      Narcolepsy has both environmental as well as psychological triggers.
    • It's important to identify whether insomnia has a physical or emotional cause before a proper treatment plan can be devised.
      By: Innovated Captures
      It's important to identify whether insomnia has a physical or emotional cause before a proper treatment plan can be devised.