Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Like insomnia, this disorder doesn't have one-size-fits-all symptoms. Sleep apnea is difficulty breathing while asleep, caused by an obstruction in the airway. Sufferers don't get a good night's sleep because repetitive apnea disrupts REM or deep sleep, leading to exhaustion during daytime hours.
The reasons why one would suffer from sleep apnea, says Morehouse, can vary. "Typically, a sleep apnea sufferer is overweight and/or abuses alcohol, medication or sedatives and/or has a family history," she says. "There are also those simply born with a small airway."
Morehouse advises getting to the root of the problem and again, fixing what's fixable. For example, a person who is overweight can improve sleep by losing weight. Treatment varies, depending on what's fixable. Many patients now opt for wearing an air-pressurized mask to keep airways open during sleep, because, says Morehouse, "Surgery is not a guaranteed fix, and is quite an invasive and painful procedure. For those with a naturally small airway, surgery is often the only solution.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
RLS and its counterpart Restless Kicking Syndrome have been around as long as people have been sleeping but it's only been in the past few decades that its been recognized as a serious disorder.
RLS, Morehouse says, is a disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move around while in a resting position. Restless Kicking Syndrome is its more common sleeping counterpart, where the person experiences involuntary kicking or leg movements during the night, while asleep. Both disorders get in the way of the sufferer getting a good night's sleep.
Again, says Morehouse, the first thing to do is fix what's fixable. "Low iron or anemia, when people aren't getting enough iron is a cause," she says. "Being on kidney dialysis or having B positive blood can also cause RLS. But, for a big chunk of patients, we can't find a cause."
After lifestyle changes, there are several good medications for RLS sufferers. "Ten years ago, doctors discovered that drugs (dopaminergics, which give the patient a transmission of dopamine) used to treat Parkinson's – there's no relation between the two – helped with RLS patients", says Dr. Morehouse. For a more "band-aid" effect, she says, there are sedatives to help sufferers relax enough to sleep.
With medications being developed, entire centres being devoted to sleep disorders and support groups being formed across Canada, you don't have to suffer alone anymore. Get the help you need, and get some sleep already!
