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A guide to the various stages and types of sleep disorders

A guide to the various stages and types of sleep disorders

Getting a good amount of sleep is fundamental to our health. Not getting sufficient sleep can have a grave effect on our physical and mental health. While most of us may not sleep simply because we are watching a show, there are some people who suffer from sleep disorders and cannot help it.

Stages of human sleep
Any kind of disturbance in the period or quality of sleep is known as a sleep disorder. Human sleep can be explained in the following stages:

  • Stage 1
    This stage is called non-rapid eye movement sleep.
  • Stage 2
    This stage is the second stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep. It constitutes half of your sleep.
  • Stages 3 and 4
    These stages see the person most deep in sleep and they account for approximately 10 to 20 percent of the sleeping period. They occur during the first half of the duration of sleep.
  • Stage 5
    This stage is called the rapid eye movement stage (REM). It is in the stage that we see dreams.

The amount of time each person spends in each stage will differ as per their age.

Types of sleep disorders
Now let us take a look at some of the main types of sleep disorders:

  • Insomnia
    In insomnia, a person is unable to fall asleep. It is mainly caused due to stress. Insomnia may be chronic or transient.
  • Parasomnias
    Parasomnias refer to unusual movements that may occur during sleep. Common examples are sleepwalking, sleeptalking, and bedwetting.
  • Apnea
    This is a very serious disorder wherein the person suffering from it suddenly stops breathing while sleeping. This leads to disturbed sleep, as each time the person keeps getting breathless, they wake up from their sleep.
  • Narcolepsy
    A person suffering from narcolepsy will suddenly fall asleep. This could be during any normal activity. For instance, a person suffering from narcolepsy can fall asleep while working or reading a book. Narcolepsy can also lead to sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis is a condition where a person will find themselves paralyzed when they wake up.

Diagnosis of sleep disorders
If you have sleeping disorders, your doctor will ask you questions related to your health and inquire whether you have any symptoms for sleep disorders. Post this, your doctor will conduct the following tests:

  • Sleep study
    This test examines movements in the body, oxygen levels, and brain waves when the person is asleep.
  • Electroencephalogram
    This test evaluates the brain’s electrical movements.
  • Blood tests
    Certain sleeping disorders may be diagnosed with the help of blood tests.

Prevention of sleep disorders
It is always best to get medical help to treat sleeping disorders. But you can take certain steps to prevent this condition, such as

  • Do not drink caffeine in the evening
  • Exercise daily
  • Maintain regular sleep timings
  • Do not sleep in the afternoon
  • Do not eat a heavy dinner
  • Take a bath before dinner and sleeping will help you feel clean and relaxed

Now that you have a fair idea about sleep disorders, it is recommended that you follow the aforementioned preventive measures to ensure that you do not suffer from this problem in the future.

Besides following these preventive measures, one can also use weighted blankets from Gravity to optimize sleep. These blankets boost emotional well-being, optimize heart rate, and lower stress levels to improve sleep quality.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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Understanding gastritis – A common stomach condition

The stomach has three main functions: storing food and liquids, producing digestive juices, and sending food to the small intestine, but stomach conditions can disrupt its functioning. Stomach-related disorders, including gastritis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), peptic ulcer, viral gastroenteritis, hiatal hernia, gastroparesis, and stomach cancer, can cause severe pain and extreme discomfort, and they require immediate medical attention.Types of gastritis - A common stomach conditionGastritis is one of the most common stomach conditions and affects 25-35% of the country’s population. It has two primary stages: acute and chronic. The former is characterized by sudden swelling or inflammation in the stomach lining and can be caused by injury, a viral or bacterial infection, stress, and ingestion of irritants like alcohol, steroids, NSAIDs, or spicy food. It leads to the development of symptoms like a loss of appetite, black stools, indigestion, nausea, bloody vomiting, and abdominal pain.On the other hand, chronic gastritis develops over time and is generally caused by bacteria, alcoholism, certain medications, stress, or immune system disorders. This condition inflames the stomach lining and destroys some of the protective cells in the lining. Chronic gastritis can last for several years and slowly weakens the stomach lining. It can also lead to other diseases like dysplasia or metaplasia, and its symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen, indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting, belching, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Chronic gastritis can be categorized into three types: type A is caused by an immune system disorder, type B is caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, and type C is a result of irritants like bile, alcohol, and NSAIDs.Diagnosis of gastritisDoctors examine a patient’s medical history and symptoms before prescribing patients to undergo certain medical tests to diagnose gastritis. Here are some common tests prescribed for the diagnosis of this common stomach condition:Tests for H. pylori: Bacterium H. pylori tests are done to determine its effects, and this can be tested from the blood, stool, or breath.Endoscopy: A lens attached to a flexible tube is inserted through the patient’s mouth to check for inflammation in the esophagus, small intestine, and stomach. If the doctor finds any issue, a biopsy is conducted for testing.X-ray: A series of X-rays of the esophagus, small intestine, and stomach help doctors check for signs of abnormalities that can indicate gastritis.Preventing gastritisStomach conditions like gastritis can be prevented by making certain lifestyle changes. One must avoid smoking and alcohol consumption to lower their risk of developing gastritis. Also, certain foods can cause stomach irritations and lead to gastritis, so it is advisable to limit the consumption of fatty or spicy food, along with citrus fruits and foods with acidic content. Apart from that, if one experiences an upset stomach after taking certain medications like NSAIDs, they must consult a doctor for alternative prescriptions.An individual should visit a doctor at the earliest if they notice any symptoms. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are extremely important to manage this stomach condition and prevent any complications.

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