{"id":28500,"date":"2017-09-19T07:00:12","date_gmt":"2017-09-19T07:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/restonic.com\/sin-categorizar\/sleep-disorder-5701"},"modified":"2017-09-19T07:00:12","modified_gmt":"2017-09-19T07:00:12","slug":"sleep-disorder-5701","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restonic.com\/es\/blog-es\/sleep-disorder-5701","title":{"rendered":"Do You have a Sleep Disorder? Watch for These 6 Warning Signs!"},"content":{"rendered":"

These red flags mean it\u2019s time to pay closer attention to the quality of your sleep<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s easy to forget what a healthy night of sleep feels like if you\u2019re currently living without. Maybe your sleep quality deteriorated without you really noticing.<\/p>\n

It happens.<\/p>\n

\"DoThat\u2019s why it\u2019s critical to do a sleep checkup \u2013 to see if you\u2019re getting the kind of sleep that leaves you feeling good and ready to embrace the day. Anything short of that isn\u2019t something you should accept or normalize. Because, let\u2019s face it, sleep impacts pretty much every cell in your body and plays an important role in your mood. Good sleep habits can improve heart health, reduce the debilitating effects of stress and slow down how quickly you age. Along with diet and exercise, it\u2019s one of the 3 pillars for wellbeing<\/a> you should never ignore.<\/p>\n

That said, the odd poor night of sleep won\u2019t derail overall good health, but make a habit of it, and it\u2019s sure to cause problems. So when should you take action and seek a sleep specialist? Here are 6 signs it\u2019s time to get help for a sleep issue.<\/p>\n

1. You\u2019ve watching late night television in real time.\u00a0<\/strong>If the rest of your household has been asleep for hours and you\u2019re still sitting in front of the television, you might have a problem. While short-term insomnia<\/a> happens occasionally, you shouldn\u2019t be struggling night after night for months on end. Studies say that insomniacs are likely to dismiss a regular pattern of sleeplessness because they think it will just go away or they believe that\u2019s normal for them. If you do something often enough, you\u2019ll retrain your brain and it will start embracing the new bad normal. Talk to a sleep specialist<\/a> and get help before your health begins to suffer.<\/p>\n

2. You can\u2019t keep your eyes open during the day.\u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s no question that naps are good for you, but usually a short one does the trick.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re doing long blinks at work and caffeine is the only way you can maintain wakefulness, it\u2019s time to take notice. When you\u2019re engaged in normal activities, like driving, and all you can think about is how tired you feel, then it\u2019s time to do something. Take a close look at your sleep habits (also known as sleep hygiene<\/a>). Is your bedroom cool and dark enough? Is your mattress comfortable<\/a> or a lumpy mess? Get those details in order and see if your sleep improves. Still tired? Get thee to a sleep doc with due haste!<\/p>\n

3. You snore galore.\u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s no need to panic if you do snore. It isn\u2019t always a sign that your sleeper is broken, but it might be a sign that you have sleep apnea. What\u2019s sleep apnea<\/a>, you ask? It\u2019s a dangerous condition that causes a temporary stoppage in breathing. In extreme cases, sleep apnea may lead to early death<\/a>. Your sleep doctor may prescribe a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to keep you breathing well and help you get the sound sleep your body and mind need.<\/p>\n

4. You don\u2019t feel fully awake in the morning.\u00a0<\/strong>On a cold, rainy morning, no one feels they can leap into their day with vim and vigor, but if that\u2019s an everyday occurrence for you, it may be a sign that sleep is a bigger issue for you than you realized. When coffee becomes a crutch<\/a> and the only way you can function, it\u2019s time to consider other options. A healthy, low-fat breakfast with protein can be a natural and healthy energy boost. If an egg-white omelet or a bowl of steel-cut oats don\u2019t do it, then, you know what\u2019s next, right? Talk to your doctor!<\/p>\n

5. You wake up tired \u2013 every day.\u00a0<\/strong>A typical sleep cycle lasts approximately 90 minutes and alternates between light and deep (REM) sleep, allowing your body and mind to repair itself from the previous day. If you progress normally through the different stages of sleep, you should wake up well-rested and feel ready to take on the day. If you wake up consistently tired, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re missing the deep, healing stages of sleep<\/a>. Start by getting yourself and a fitness and\/or sleep tracker to measure the quantity AND quality of your sleep.<\/p>\n

6. You have other medical issues that may be impacting your sleep.\u00a0<\/strong>Not being able to sleep can be a sign that something else is going on \u2013 a medical condition developing in the background. Insomnia<\/a>, unfortunately, can also be a frustrating by-product of some medications<\/a>. If you\u2019re dealing with depression, chronic pain or restless leg syndrome, getting a good night\u2019s sleep will almost certainly be a challenge. If sleeplessness is affecting your daily activities, consult a sleep doctor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do know what\u2019s normal and what signals a potentially serious sleep disorder? Take Dr. Oz\u2019s Sleep Quiz<\/a> \u00a0and test your sleep intelligence.<\/p>\n