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Treatment for Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders affect over 40 million people in the United States. More than 70 different sleep disorders have been recognized by the medical community, all of which can be treated in a number of ways.

Some sleep disorders, particularly those that are characterized by lack of sleep, can be treated by changing your sleep hygiene, or the habits and daily routines you have surrounding sleep.

Some good sleep hygiene habits include:

avoiding caffeine, especially close to bedtime
avoiding cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs
getting regular exposure to the sun, especially in the morning
having a relaxing routine before bed (i.e., taking a hot bath, reading a book or listening to relaxing music)
keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature
not exercising too late at night, but making sure to get regular exercise at other times during the day
setting a sleep schedule for waking up and going to sleep at the same time every day.

All of these suggestions can help with sleep disorders such as insomnia, which is the most common of all sleep disorders.

Some sleep disorders do not have a cure, though symptoms can be lessened or eliminated with the use of sleep medications.

Many sleep disorder sufferers may also find help for their symptoms in the form of sleep-inducing foods and other natural, alternative treatments.

In this section, we’ll cover all aspects of treatment for sleep disorders, including how effective treatments are, any dangers they pose and more.

Sleep Medications

Sleep medications are not for everyone. They can be addictive in some cases and people may begin to rely on them more than they should.

However, for sleep disorders like narcolepsy that cannot be cured, sleep medication may be necessary for lessening symptoms and living a normal life.

Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder are also among the sleep disorders that can be treated with sleep medications.

Food and Sleep

Just as foods that contain sugar and caffeine can keep you awake, there are certain foods that can actually help you sleep.

Foods that contain tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid, have been found to work as sleep aids. These foods include:

certain nuts, such as hazelnuts and peanuts
certain seeds, such as sunflower seeds and sesame seeds
hummus
lentils
milk and other dairy products
seafood, meat and poultry
soy products
whole grains, beans and rice.

However, these foods do not induce sleep in everyone. Trying out a few different sleep foods can help you understand your own body’s reaction to food and sleep.

Apnea Treatment

Treatment for sleep apnea can vary depending on the type of sleep apnea, the severity of the condition and the particular condition of the patient.

In some people, sleep apnea is caused by obesity. In these cases, a weight loss and exercise program may be used to treat sleep apnea.

Some cases of sleep apnea can be treated by a simple change in sleep position. Sleeping on the back can sometimes be the only cause of sleep apnea.

Certain devices can also be worn to treat sleep apnea. These devices work to keep the airway open and require that the person sleep wearing a small mask connected to the device, called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Some cases of sleep apnea, such as those caused by the tonsils or by a deviated septum can be completely corrected through surgery.

Though there are many treatments available, sleeping medication should never be considered. Sleeping pills can make it impossible to wake up to continue breathing and are an ineffective apnea treatment.

Resources

Ask Dr. Sears (2006). Foods for Sleep. Retrieved January 2, 2008, from the Ask Dr. Sears Web site: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T042400.asp.

Neurology Channel (2000). Sleep Disorders: Causes. Retrieved January 2, 2008, from the Neurology Channel Web site: http://www.neurologychannel.com/sleepdisorders/causes.shtml.

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