We deserve a glorious night’s sleep!
Sleep…or lack of, is something I know quite a lot about, experiencing first hand what it means to have disturbed sleep over the course of many years since my diagnosis of ‘nocturnal epilepsy’ in my late twenties…
The official term for my condition is ‘Frontal lobe partial absence seizures’ which I have lived with for well over three decades and I have taken many different types of medication in a bid to get my nocturnal episodes under control. To the uninitiated it can occur frequently at night hence the word ‘nocturnal’. At this stage of my life it is by far improved but I continue to remain a regular at the epilepsy clinic.
There are many other conditions that affect people in their sleep, so this is a journey of discovery, an exploration of conditions, some of which may affect you or someone you know that is close to you…
Sleep Apnea
There seems to be a growing body of evidence that Sleep Apnea, affects 10 to 30 per cent of Americans according to the Sleep Foundation, and it is a very challenging condition, a breathing disorder that disrupts breathing at night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is very common causing a relaxation of the muscles in the back of the throat which prevents normal breathing while asleep. Central sleep apnea (CSA) very similar to OSA, rather a physical obstruction blocking the airways, the brain stops sending, or sends abnormal, signals to the muscles that regulate breathing and both will cause excessive tiredness during the day.
Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep for as long as possible and it is often the reason for some to experience daytime sleepiness. Insomnia is one of the most frequently used classification of generalised sleep problems and there can be multiple causes that produce the same sort of issues ranging from stress, the demands of work, poor sleep habits, side effects from medication, too much caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and pregnancy, age and mental illness.
Narcolepsy
This is another difficult condition with increased tiredness during the day causing a person to drop off at random. Narcolepsy affects an estimated 1 in every 2,000 people in the United States, so about 200,000 Americans and approximately 3 million worldwide. It can vary in severity and is estimated that only 25 per cent of people with narcolepsy are formerly diagnosed. Some may also experience ‘sleep paralysis’, an inability to move or speak on waking or falling asleep and excessive dreaming, particularly as one falls asleep or just prior to waking.
Night Terrors
Also known as ‘sleep terrors’ this is common in adults and children who may suddenly sit up in bed screaming and shouting, possibly lashing out with a look of horror on their face. During a typical night terror it is best not to interact with someone going through an episode, better to stay calm and wait until the worst is over when they may not recognise you and could be more agitated so comforting them is the best thing you can do. It is very likely that they will nave no recollection of the event the next day.
Restless Legs Syndrome
A common condition that occurs in peri-menopause and menopausal women, men can also experience this too, it produces an overwhelming urge to move the legs, and the sensation worsens during the evening or at night. Restless Legs Syndrome is also associated with the involuntary jerking of the legs and arms, known as ‘periodic limb movements in sleep‘ while asleep which can be very distressing and disrupts the sleeper as well as the partner. Periodic limb movements can be a very common disorder during pregnancy, making sleep miserable, disappearing after giving birth.
“There is no scientific study more vital to us than the study of our own brain. Our entire view of the Universe depends on it.”
-Francis Crick-
I reached out to the Sophrology Centre Online, because I wanted to find something that would relax me, something that would not take very long and had all the benefits of mindfulness, and that is exactly what I found. By doing a short Sophro Balance practice, I found the key to improving my night’s sleep.
Contact me by email for advice on how Sophro Balance could benefit your personal journey of change and transformation.
Please leave a comment, like or share this post with your friends would also be greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading…
SOPHRO BALANCE for Wellbeing 
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