Article by:
Amelia Grant
Almost everyone has had a zombie-like condition after a night of little or no sleep. We might feel tired during the day with delayed thoughts, lack of energy, and an irritated mood after just one night of not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation occurs when you do not receive enough sleep, and it is believed that one-third of American adults suffer from it.
Sleep deprivation has a direct impact on how we think and feel. While the short-term effects are more evident, persistent sleep deprivation can increase the risk of physical and mental health problems in the long run. Understanding this disease, including its etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and management will help you ensure you're getting enough sleep. Here is a list of six common causes of poor sleep that you shouldn't ignore
1. Stress
Stress can trigger a deep response in the body that interferes with proper sleep. Work, school, and social relationships can all trigger this stress response. Traumatic events can cause persistent stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The physical response of the body to stress leads to hyperarousal, as may mental stress. The inability to sleep may become a cause of stress in and of itself, making it increasingly difficult to break the vicious cycle of stress and insomnia.
2. Work or travel schedule
Circadian rhythms serve as an internal clock, directing your sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, and body temperature. Insomnia can result from a disruption of your body's circadian cycles. Jet lag from flying across many time zones, working a late or early shift, or changing shifts are all possible causes of insomnia.
3. Musculoskeletal problems
Pain caused by arthritis can make it difficult for people to fall asleep and resettle when they change positions. Moreover, steroid medication typically results in sleeplessness. To alleviate discomfort and swelling in your joints throughout the night, take aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) immediately before bedtime.
People with fibromyalgia, a disorder marked by aching ligaments and tendons, are likely to wake up tired, stiff, and achy, just like someone with arthritis. Researchers who studied the sleep patterns of fibromyalgia patients discovered that at least half of them experience atypical deep sleep in which slow brain waves mix with waves normally associated with comfortable wakefulness, a condition known as alpha-delta sleep.
4. Uncomfortable mattress
Finding a comfortable sleeping position might be challenging if your mattress is either hard or too soft. Sleeping on a bad mattress can lead to headaches, back pain, and a bad mood when you wake up. Moreover, you should also select a pillow that is neither too large nor too flat. It is better to use an orthopedic pillow and mattress to have a good night's sleep.
5. Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is defined by pauses in breathing while sleeping. This is a dangerous medical disorder in which the body consumes less oxygen. It can also cause you to wake up in the middle of the night. There are two types of sleep apnea:
-
Obstructive sleep apnea, in which the passage of air is interrupted because the airway space is restricted or too narrow
-
Central sleep apnea, in which there is a problem with the link between the brain and the muscles that regulate your breathing
6. Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep-regulation condition that disrupts the control of sleep and awake. Narcolepsy causes extreme daytime drowsiness as well as occasional, involuntary episodes of falling asleep during the day. These unexpected sleep bouts can happen at any time of day and throughout any activity. Narcolepsy is often diagnosed and so mistreated.