Sleep problems that should never be ignored

What should not be ignored

Sleep deprivation is a dangerous mistake that can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night.

Neurologist Katie McCullar explained that one of the main causes of poor sleep quality is obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by breathing difficulties during sleep. It is caused by inhibition of the respiratory center located in the medulla oblongata, most often as a result of excessive lung ventilation.

If left untreated, it can increase the risk of certain diseases and even be life-threatening.

There are two main signs of sleep apnea that should not be ignored.

Snoring

Surgeon Robson Capasso noted that a common nighttime symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. Many people are unaware that they snore while sleeping. This type of snoring is typically loud.

However, there are cases where people snore even without having sleep apnea.

Snoring can also result from sleeping on the back or in a dry room.

Breathing problems

It's not just snoring that indicates breathing problems during sleep, but also periods of silence. Someone suffering from sleep apnea may experience segments of time where they stop breathing altogether.

They often wake up after these moments of silence because their oxygen levels drop, causing nighttime awakenings.

Persistent snoring or frequent daytime drowsiness may be linked to health issues, so it's worth consulting a doctor.

What causes nightmares

Nightmares can be triggered by various factors, including biological and psychological aspects. These include:

• Mental disorders: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder
• Physiological changes: disruptions in the hormonal system or other organs can affect sleep and lead to nightmares
• Stress and trauma: high levels of stress, traumatic events, or emotional conflicts can influence dreams
• Medications: some medications, including antidepressants, sleeping pills, and others, may cause nightmares as a side effect.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.