Nothing compares to having a good night’s sleep and waking up with an energetic aura. An ENT doctor in Singapore always says that the best period to get a good sleep is between 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. However, you can sleep depending on your preferred schedule time or your body clock. But make sure to get at least six to eight hours of sleep if you want to have a good sleep.
You are lucky if you get eight hours of sleep on a daily basis because some people obtain less than six hours of sleep or, worse, no sleep at all. These people are suffering from various sleep disorders. These are the conditions that cause an individual to suffer from any troubles while sleeping.
To know more about these sleep disorders, some of the most common types are the following:
SNORING
According to an ear, nose, and throat specialist,almost 45% of the people across the globe snore. Snoring is one of the most common sleep disorders for all ages as it can happen to ageing adults, exhausted kids, working young adults, etc. Did you know that snoring is also one of the leading causes of divorce in the United States? The main reason for that is the snoring person frequently disturbs the other person or their partner’s slumber.
You do not have to worry about snoring as it is normal. However, inspect and check your snoring behaviours from time to time. If you start to snore with gasps, long pauses, and heavy breathing, it may indicate a high chance of sleep apnea. To stop or decrease your snoring, you may consult an ENT doctor in Singapore.
SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea in Singapore is another frequent sleep disorder that causes trouble to a person’s breathing during their sleep. Sleep apnea can suddenly develop into a potentially severe and life-threatening sleep disorder if left untreated and undiagnosed. It may lead to either heart attack, stroke, or death.
Some of the symptoms that may indicate that you have sleep apnea:
- Suddenly wakes up, especially during an ungodly hour
- Loud snoring
- Terrible headaches or migraines every morning
- Long breathing pauses during sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Trouble with concentration
- Fatigue
There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA happens if tissue blocks your airway and causes you to snore, while the latter occurs when your brain fails to tell your body to breathe. To know more about sleep apnea, you may talk to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
INSOMNIA
You have probably heard too many issues and problems regarding people who cannot fall asleep. The sleep disorder they suffer from is called insomnia. You may have probably experienced this, too. During the nights when you cannot fall asleep, no matter how dead tired or how much you tried, it may indicate insomnia.
According to an ear, nose, and throat specialist,insomnia is normal if it happens occasionally. It may be short-term or acute insomnia, which occurs due to life stress, illness, environmental factors, jet lags, or traumatic experiences. However, if it happens regularly, it may be a sign for you to seek help from an ENT doctor in Singapore,as it may indicate that you are experiencing long-term or chronic insomnia. The most common factors causing chronic insomnia are the following:
- Mental problems, such as anxiety or depression
- Chronic stress
- Pain or discomfort at night, during your sleep
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Nicotine use
- Unpleasant sleeping environments
- Specific medications
SLEEP PARALYSIS
Aside from sleep apnea in Singapore,another potential sleep disorder threat is sleep paralysis. It is the feeling of being conscious of your surroundings, but you cannot move any body part. The person is awake, but they are unable to move, talk, or even open their eyes. That is what happens when a person experiences sleep paralysis.
Generally, sleep paralysis occurs occasionally, but it may frequently happen to an individual lacking enough sleep or deprived of sleep. It may also occur due to mental health conditions, such as PTSD or bipolar disorder, other sleep disorders, such as nighttime leg cramps, or medications. To know if you are likely to suffer from sleep paralysis, here are some symptoms:
- Hallucinations
- Nightmares
- A feeling of fear and being scared
- A feeling of floating
- Immobility
If you do not want to experience sleep paralysis, try changing your lifestyle, sleeping schedule, and diet. You may also consult an ENT doctor in Singapore to help you with it.
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is another sleep disorder that causes an uncontrollable, intense, and unpleasant feeling in your legs. The sensation will feel like there are needles, bugs, and pins crawling and injected into your legs. RLS typically develops in people with anaemia, obesity, or pregnancy. To subside and lessen the pain, you can take an adequate amount of iron and a few prescribed medications by an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
RLS usually happens during nighttime or in the evening, making it difficult to fall asleep. Some people shrug it off as the sensation goes away, while some shake their legs or take a few steps to alleviate the pain. You may do that once you experience a similar sleep disorder, but it is best to talk to an ENT doctor in Singaporeto help you get it treated.
Final Remarks
Lucky are those who can sleep safe and sound, along with those who do not have to worry about their sleeping habits and behaviours. Some people have to bear and fight these sleep disorders as these can still pose, develop, and be a potential health hazard. If any signs, symptoms, or changes occur before, during, and after your sleep, consult an ENT doctor in Singapore ASAP. Talk to an ear, nose, and throat specialistas soon as you get the chance. They can diagnose your sleep disorder through your symptoms and provide available treatments for your condition. The earlier you get diagnosed, the earlier you will get treated.
If you need an ENT doctor in Mount Elizabeth, feel free to reach out to Dr Dennis Chua and his professional doctors. You may drop by their website to book an appointment or visit their clinic at Mount Elizabeth, Orchard Medical Centre, Singapore.