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| Sleep Disorder Problems | Am I at risk for developing a sleep disorder?
Habits and conditions that are risk factors for a sleep disorder:
• poor sleep environment (e.g., too noisy, too brightly lit, too hot, or too cold)
• excessive caffeine or alcohol
• use of certain medications and drugs
• smoking or chewing tobacco
• anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder
• stress, such as the death of a loved one, or job pressure
• an unhealthy sleep routine
• daytime napping
• early or late-night bedtimes
• traveling between time zones
• shift work with a rotating schedule
• illness
• obesity
There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of developing a sleep disorder. Consider making changes to your lifestyle, or you can consult with your doctor to learn how you can improve your health. Be sure, by making small changes, you can greatly improve the quality of your sleep and thereby the overall quality of your mental and physical well-being.
How can I prevent a sleep disorder?
In accordance with the founder of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the root cause of America’s sleep-deprivation problems has been the “complete absence of teaching about sleep at any level of the educational system.”
Good starting points for preventing sleep disorders include:
• educating yourself about the sleep cycle, sleep stages, and common sleep disorders,
developing a healthy sleep routine, and
• talking with your doctor or a sleep specialist about your sleep concerns.
What are the categories or major types of sleep disorders?
Experts divide sleep disorders into four categories or major types:
• Dyssomnias
• Parasomnias
• Sleep disorders due to medical, neurological, or psychiatric conditions
• Other proposed sleep disorders
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