Almost everyone encounters insomnia at some point in their life. 30 percent of the society struggles with chronic insomnia that lasts more than 2 months and occurs more than 2-3 nights a week. 10 percent of patients suffering from chronic insomnia receive drug treatment. However, using medication for insomnia is nothing more than a temporary and short-term treatment, ignoring the reasons behind the disease. So, what is chronic insomnia?
There are nearly 100 sleeping disorders!
30 percent of the causes of insomnia are diagnosed in sleep disorders centers with special treatment. It causes restless legs syndrome and periodic movement disorder during sleep. Obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome is seen in at least 4-5 percent of the population and occurs due to reasons such as snoring and respiratory arrest during sleep. Due to its frequent symptoms and complications, obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome causes the patient to spend 8-16 times more on healthcare than their peers. Patients lose an average of 8 years until they are diagnosed.
Prof.Dr.Hakan Kaynak stated that obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome is seen in approximately 50 percent of patients with hypertension;
“Similarly, we see that approximately 50 percent of patients with obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome have hypertension. Obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome gains additional importance because it is more important than all known risk factors for vascular diseases and includes other risk factors. It is also worth noting that; "The presence of obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome has been detected in 60-70 percent of patients who are under observation due to heart attack or stroke." There are nearly 100 sleeping disorders defined in the latest classifications.
Sleep-apnea is responsible for almost half of traffic accidents
Obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome is a common cause of sleep disorders in traffic and work. Its role in accidents is now understood. It has become clear that the sleep of patients with sleep apnea syndrome is responsible for almost half of the major disasters and traffic accidents that shook the world. For this reason, in many countries of the world and in Turkey, patients with untreated sleep-apnea syndrome are prevented by law from obtaining a driver's license. A. However, practical application cannot be made yet.
Who should seek treatment?
Those who cannot fall asleep, wake up frequently during the night, wake up without getting enough sleep in the morning, and experience these symptoms for several months. It would be beneficial for those who are experiencing problems to apply for treatment.
Prof.Dr.Hakan Kaynak also recommends that patients who are tired and sleepy during the day should seek professional help before attributing these complaints to the difficulties of business life and reasons such as stress. He says they should apply. It would be beneficial for patients who snore, sweat at night and wake up frequently with the need to go to the toilet not to postpone their application due to the risk of sleep apnea syndrome. Sleeping disorders may also play a role in hypertension, diabetes, obesity and heart diseases. Therefore, it is vital for these patients to apply for support.
The appropriate test is selected according to the patient's complaint.
Sleep physicians, like their other colleagues, first listen to the patient and examine them. After the necessary examinations, unlike other branches of medicine, sleep tests are used for diagnosis in treatment centers. The patient's complaints guide the physician on how to choose a test. Sleep tests can be performed in the center or at home, depending on the patient's condition. The patient and the physician decide together during the examination which test will be performed.
There is no sleeping disease without treatment
Many patients have the prejudice that "they will not be able to sleep" during the sleep test. He avoids consulting a sleep physician. However, Prof.Dr.Hakan Kaynak says that those who cannot sleep during the sleep test are exceptions. Some patients even state that they sleep better than at home. Stating that patients with restless legs syndrome will be disturbed by the limitation of movement during the night and therefore sleep tests should be avoided for these patients, Prof. Dr. Hakan Kaynak emphasizes that there is no sleeping disease without treatment.
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