How to Diagnose & Treat the Most Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders can be a real nuisance, preventing you from getting the rest you need to function properly. But often, these disorders can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Here's a look at some of the most common sleep disorders and how to treat them.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, affecting around 30% of adults. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, anxiety, noise, light or extreme temperatures. If you're struggling to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night, here are a few things you can do to try and improve your sleep:

- Make your bedroom dark and quiet

- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed

- Establish a regular sleep schedule

- Practice relaxation techniques before bed

Another common sleep disorder is snoring. Snoring can be caused by a variety of factors, such as obesity, smoking, drinking alcohol or sleeping on your back. If you're a chronic snorer, there are a few things you can do to try and reduce the noise:

- Lose weight if you're overweight

- Quit smoking

- Avoid alcohol before bed

- Sleep on your side instead of your back

Insomnia

and snoring are the two most common sleep disorders, but there are others that can interfere with your slumber. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes you to fall asleep suddenly and without warning. Restless leg syndrome is a condition that causes an irresistible urge to move your legs, often resulting in difficulty sleeping. And finally, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor, who can diagnose the problem and recommend a treatment plan.

What are the best treatments for sleep disorders?

The best treatments for sleep disorders vary depending on the disorder. However, many sleep disorders can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. For insomnia, for example, doctors often recommend avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, establishing a regular sleep schedule and practicing relaxation techniques before bed. If you're a chronic snorer, you may need to lose weight, quit smoking, avoid alcohol before bed and sleep on your side instead of your back. And if you have sleep apnea, you may need to use a CPAP machine to help you breathe at night.

So if you're having trouble sleeping, don't hesitate to see a doctor. He or she can help diagnose the problem