Guide
| Causes |
| Causes of sleep disorders Sleep deprivation has several negative effects on performance, as well as physical and mental health. Some of the major cause of sleep problems are:
Physical Factors – Disorders of breathing or periodic muscle contractions during sleep can cause disturbance in sleep. Other medical problems which could be the cause are allergies, arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, rheumatologic conditions, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease. Also headache, menstruation and hot flashes could upset sleep. Psychological Factors – Stress, depression and anxiety are some of the common psychological factors affecting sleep. More than 70% of people with depression complain of insomnia. Environments not conducive to sleeping, concern about problems such as family illness or an unrewarding job can interfere with sleep. Last but not the least , if people are worried about their ability to sleep, their concern may actually keep them awake. Lifestyle Factors – Varying bedtimes frequently and change of work shifts are some of the lifestyle factors that can affect sleep. Drinking coffee or caffeine containing beverages and smoking as well as alcohol intake close to bedtime also results in poor sleep. Many “drugs” and medication can worsen sleep problems. Environmental Factors – Too much light in the room and extremes in room temperature can also interfere with sleep. Noise pollution such as moving road traffic, airplane noise, or even neighborhood disturbances can disturb sleep. |
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