How to Know if You Have a Sleep Disorder What is a sleep disorder?
Simply put, a sleep disorder is a problem or condition that results in lack of quality sleep. Lacking quality sleep impacts daytime function and a myriad of physical and mental elements. Sleep is a basic human need, much like eating and drinking, and is crucial to our overall health and well-being.
What is quality or healthy sleep?
World Sleep Society defines quality sleep as consisting of three basic elements. Three elements of quality sleep are: • Duration: The length of sleep should be sufficient for the sleeper to be rested and alert the following day. • Continuity: Sleep periods should be seamless without fragmentation. • Depth: Sleep should be deep enough to be restorative.
Healthy sleep is sleep which restores and energizes a person so he or she feels wide awake, dynamic and energetic all day long. Health and disease are opposites, and therefore, when a disease or disorder of sleep does exist, sleep investigation is needed to identify and treat it. Sleep disorders are not rare, and they can cause serious problems if left untreated. Though up to 45% of the world may live with a sleep disorder, most are treatable.
Why should I care about sleep disorders?
Good quality and restorative sleep is essential for dayto-day functioning. Sleeping better may be a struggle for some, but much like diet and exercise, it should be considered an important part of a healthy life. Since the majority of sleep disorders are treatable, the poor mental and physical consequences of lack of sleep do not have to be tolerated.
20 | May/June 2021
