Sleep Disorders

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
The amount of sleep a person needs depends on many factors, including age. For example, in general:
* Infants require about 16 hours a day
* Teenagers needabout 9 hours on average
* Most adults need 7 to 8 hours a night for the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day
* Women inthe first 3 months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual

Everyone experiences occasional sleeping problems. So how do you tell whether your sleeping problem is just a minor,passing annoyance or a sign of a more serious sleep disorder or underlying medical condition?
Start by scrutinizing your symptoms, looking especially for the telltale daytime signs of sleepdeprivation. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, you may be dealing with a sleep disorder.

Is it a sleep disorder?
Do you . . .
* feel irritable or sleepy duringthe day?
* have difficulty staying awake when sitting still, watching television or reading?
* fall asleep or feel very tired while driving?
* have difficulty concentrating?
* oftenget told by others that you look tired?
* react slowly?
* have trouble controlling your emotions?
* feel like you have to take a nap almost every day?
* require caffeinated beverages tokeep yourself going?
If you answered “yes” to any of the previous questions, you may have a sleep disorder.

Common signs and symptoms of insomnia include:
Putting a stop to the problem ofsleepless nights
Insomnia takes a toll on your energy, mood, and ability to function during the day. But you don’t have to put up with insomnia. Simple changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can endsleepless nights.
* Difficulty falling asleep at night or getting back to sleep after waking during the night.
* Waking up frequently during the night.
* Your sleep feels light, fragmented,...