Sleep disorders encompass a variety of conditions that affect the quality, duration, and timing of sleep, leading to health issues such as:
✔ Daytime fatigue
✔ Poor concentration
✔ Mood changes
✔ Long-term health risks
Symptoms: Trouble falling/staying asleep, waking up too early
Causes: Stress, anxiety, poor sleep habits
Symptoms: Loud snoring, gasping for air, daytime sleepiness
Risk: High blood pressure, heart disease
Symptoms: Uncomfortable leg urges, worsened at night
Relief: Movement temporarily helps
Examples: Jet lag, shift work disorder
Effect: Body’s sleep-wake cycle is misaligned
Types: Sleepwalking, night terrors, acting out dreams (REM disorder)
🔹 Sleep diary (tracking sleep patterns)
🔹 Polysomnography (sleep study) – Monitors brain waves, breathing, movement
🔹 Home sleep apnea tests (for suspected apnea)
✔ Consistent sleep schedule
✔ Relaxation techniques (meditation, deep breathing)
✔ Avoiding caffeine/alcohol before bed
CPAP machine (for sleep apnea)
Medications (short-term for insomnia, dopamine agents for RLS)
Light therapy (for circadian disorders)
If sleep problems last over a month
If you experience daytime drowsiness, snoring, or memory issues
Poor sleep increases risk of:
❌ Heart disease
❌ Diabetes
❌ Depression
❌ Weakened immunity
🌙 Keep a cool, dark bedroom
📵 Avoid screens 1 hour before bed
🚭 No nicotine/caffeine close to bedtime
🏃♂️ Daily exercise (but not right before sleep)
Dr. Anis Fard Mousavi is a highly experienced lung specialist and internal medicine physician based in Tehran, with over 24 […]
Dr. Parisa Fazli Panah is a dual-certified anesthesiologist and sleep medicine specialist trained at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). […]