Understanding Dyssomnia: Causes, Signs, and Treatment

It’s 11 p.m. You’re lying in bed but can’t fall asleep. Your partner is fast asleep. You’ve been tossing and turning for what seems like an eternity. Sometimes, your heart races so much that you think it might stop. Then you close your eyes and … hey, what was that? What was that noise?!

You can’t go back to sleep for another hour or two. It’s 5 am, you’re tired and grumpy, and you’ve now got a bad day ahead of you because you just can’t stop yawning.

The inability to fall, stay, or get restful sleep can make it seem like you’re constantly running on fumes. You’re not alone, millions of people suffer from poor sleep quality, and millions more suffer from poor sleep habits.

Dyssomnia is a general term used to offer an overall name to any type of sleep disorder that affects an individual during their sleep. The purpose of this site is to help you understand what it is and provide information on how to treat it effectively.

Defining Dyssomnia

The term “dyssomnia” is derived from the Greek words “dys-” meaning “bad” or “hard,” and “snao,” meaning “to sleep.” This term accurately describes the challenges individuals with dyssomnia face when experiencing a night of restful and satisfactory sleep.

Causes of Dyssomnia

Dyssomnia is not a single sleep disorder but a group of sleep disorders that includes insomnia and sleep apnea. 

Each type of dyssomnia has its specific cause, but some commonalities exist that might include the following:

1. Biological factors

Sometimes, certain medical conditions or body changes can make getting a good night’s sleep hard. For instance, conditions like chronic pain, menopause, or hormonal imbalances can all affect the quality of our sleep.

Similarly, disruptions to our body’s internal clock, such as those caused by working shifts or traveling across time zones, can also contribute to dyssomnia. Let’s take a closer look at them.

1.1. Chronic pain

Dealing with arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain can be frustrating. It’s like your body just won’t cooperate, and finding a comfy spot to sleep can feel like mission impossible. 

And to top it all off, the pain can mess with your sleep. The discomfort can make it hard to fall asleep, leaving you groggy and achy the next day. 

1.2. Menopause

During menopause, women experience hormonal changes, particularly a decline in estrogen levels. These hormonal fluctuations can lead to night sweats, hot flashes, and other symptoms that can disrupt sleep and result in insomnia or poor sleep quality. 

1.3. Hormonal imbalances

Conditions like thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can affect our sleep patterns. For example, if you’ve got an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), you might feel restless and have difficulty falling asleep.

And if you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), you might feel excessively sleepy and tired. It’s like our hormones are playing a game of tug-of-war with our sleep! This can lead to poor sleep quality and leave you feeling less than your best.

1.4. Disruptions in the body’s internal clock

Working non-traditional hours can interrupt our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. It’s like our internal clock gets all out of whack, and we feel sleepy when we need to be awake and alert when we need to wind down. 

This misalignment leads to various sleep disorders impacting our overall health and well-being. For example, you might find it tough to fall asleep when you get home from work, even though you’re exhausted.

1.5. Jet lag

If you’ve ever traveled across multiple time zones quickly, you know how tough it can be to adjust to a new time zone. This causes many symptoms that can impact your sleep patterns and overall well-being.

For example, you might feel more tired than usual during the day, even though you got a full night’s sleep. Or you might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, which can leave you feeling even more exhausted the next day.

2. Medications

You might be surprised that some medications, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants, can disrupt sleep patterns. This can make it tough to fall asleep, stay asleep, or even wake up feeling rested.

Other medications that may cause sleep issues include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), steroids, and medications for high blood pressure. These medications can interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to get the restful sleep your body needs.

3. Substance abuse

Let’s talk about how alcohol and drug use can affect your sleep. Alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for sleep disorders because it affects brain activity and neurotransmitter levels that regulate sleep cycles. 

This means that even if you fall asleep after drinking, the quality of your sleep may be poor, leaving you tired and groggy the next day. Drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can also disrupt normal sleep patterns by keeping users awake for extended periods. 

4. Environmental factors

Certain environmental factors can trigger dyssomnias. These include:

4.1. Noise: Loud or persistent noises, such as traffic, construction, or snoring, can be major culprits in disrupting your sleep. These noises can make it tough to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you tired and groggy the next day.

Sudden noises can also cause awakenings at night, leading to fragmented sleep. This means that even if you manage to fall asleep, you may wake up multiple times throughout the night, leaving you feeling even more tired and irritable the next day.

4.2. Light: Whether from streetlights, electronic devices, or the early morning sun, exposure to bright light can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

This is because light suppresses the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. When your body doesn’t produce enough melatonin, it can be tough to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you tired and groggy the next day.

4.3. Temperature: Extreme temperatures and uncomfortable bedding can be major culprits for getting a good night’s rest.

Extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, can disrupt sleep and make it challenging to find a comfortable state for rest. This can lead to tossing and turning throughout the night, leaving you tired and irritable the next day.

An uncomfortable mattress, pillow, or bedding can also contribute to physical discomfort and affect sleep quality. If your bedding is too firm or soft or doesn’t provide adequate support, it can lead to aches and pains that make it tough to fall or stay asleep.

5. Psychological factors

Let’s talk about how stress, anxiety, and depression can affect your sleep. These mental health conditions can all contribute to dyssomnia, making it difficult to fall or stay asleep throughout the night.

Racing thoughts, worry, and feeling overwhelmed can make relaxing and falling asleep difficult. When your mind is racing, quieting your thoughts and getting the restful sleep your body needs can be tough.

Traumatic events or significant life changes can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to dyssomnia. These events can trigger feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, which can make it tough to relax and fall asleep at night.

Symptoms of Dyssomnia

The symptoms of dyssomnia can vary from person to person, but there are some common patterns. You may experience any or all of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep — even when you’re extremely tired
• Waking up too early in the morning and having trouble falling back asleep
• Feeling sleepy during the day (but not enough to fall asleep)
• Waking up from sleep repeatedly throughout the night
• Tiredness and lack of energy throughout the day

Symptoms of dyssomnia have been associated with a wide range of medical conditions, including but not limited to:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes
• Obesity and other weight-related conditions
• Depression and anxiety disorders

Types of Dyssomnia

Dyssomnia is a condition that causes you to have problems sleeping. It can be diagnosed when you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and experiencing non-restorative sleep. It has several subtypes, including:

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make falling or staying asleep hard. The severity of the problem can vary, but the good news is that in most cases, it’s only temporary and usually lasts for a few days or weeks.

Sleep apnea happens when you stop breathing multiple times during sleep because of an airway blockage caused by the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapsing. This can lead to feeling excessively sleepy during the day and having difficulty concentrating.

Narcolepsy is a type of sleep disorder that isn’t very common. It’s characterized by episodes of falling asleep during the day that are difficult to control. People with narcolepsy may also experience other symptoms like cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle tone, or hallucinations during wakefulness or sleep.

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by feeling excessively sleepy during the day and sleeping for a prolonged duration. It’s not the same as just feeling tired or needing a nap every once in a while.

Parasomnias are sleep disorders involving abnormal movements, such as twitching or acting out one’s dreams while sleeping. Some common examples of parasomnias include sleepwalking, night terrors, and REM behavior disorder. These conditions can be disruptive to sleep and affect the quality of rest. Here’s a quick overview of dyssomnia vs. parasomnia:

Diagnosis of Dyssomnia

Sleep problems are common, but they often go undiagnosed. You’re not alone if you’re not getting enough sleep or have difficulty falling asleep. See how to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

Medical history: 

When you visit a healthcare provider for sleep-related issues, they will usually ask about your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you may be taking. 

They may also ask about your sleep habits and routines, such as how long it takes you to fall asleep, how long you sleep each night, and if you feel rested when you wake up. 

Physical examination: 

As part of your evaluation for sleep-related issues, your healthcare provider may also perform a physical exam to check for any underlying medical conditions contributing to your symptoms. 

This may include checking your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate and examining your head and neck for abnormalities or signs of obstruction. Depending on your symptoms, they may order additional tests or refer you to a specialist to help with diagnosis and treatment.

Sleep studies: 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dyssomnia, your healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study, also known as a polysomnography, to help diagnose the condition. This test involves monitoring your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and other bodily functions while you sleep. 

It’s usually conducted in a sleep lab or clinic, where you’ll spend the night while the test is performed. The sleep study results can help your healthcare provider determine the underlying cause of your sleep issues and develop an appropriate treatment plan to help you get the restful sleep you need.

Treatment of Dyssomnia

Treatment for dyssomnia depends on the cause and how severe the symptoms are. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, and therapy.

1. Sleep hygiene: Improving sleep habits and creating a conducive sleep environment can be beneficial. This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulants (like caffeine and electronics) close to bedtime, and ensuring a comfortable and calm sleep environment. 

2. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): It focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with sleep. It can help develop healthier sleep habits, manage stress, and address any underlying psychological factors contributing to sleep difficulties. 

3. Medications: In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications to address specific symptoms or underlying conditions associated with dyssomnia. These medications may include sedatives, hypnotics, or other sleep aids. 

Addressing underlying conditions: Identifying and treating any underlying medical or psychological conditions contributing to dyssomnia is crucial. This could involve managing chronic pain, treating mental health disorders, or addressing respiratory issues like sleep apnea. 

4. Relaxation techniques: Incorporating relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation, can help promote relaxation before bedtime and improve sleep quality.

1. Deep breathing exercises: Concentrate on your breath for five to 10 minutes daily to help relax your body and mind.
2. Meditation: Practice five minutes thrice weekly to reduce tension and stress.
3. Progressive muscle relaxation: Lie comfortably on the floor or in your bed with your eyes closed; then tense one set of muscles for five seconds before relaxing them for another five seconds. Start with your toes and move up through your legs, abdomen, chest, and arms until you reach your jaw muscles (this should take about 10 minutes).

Coping Tips with Dyssomnia

Being kind to yourself is important when dealing with a condition like dyssomnia. You’re not alone in this struggle; there are many ways to make your life easier. Here are some coping tips that can help you get through the day:

Establish a consistent sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up simultaneously every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock and promotes a more regular sleep pattern. 

Create a sleep-friendly environment: Ensure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Use earplugs, eye masks, or white noise machines if necessary. Consider investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows to enhance your sleep comfort.

Practice good sleep hygiene: Adopt healthy sleep habits such as avoiding stimulating activities (like using electronic devices) before bedtime, keeping your bedroom for sleep and relaxation only, and creating a soothing pre-sleep routine to signal your body that it’s time to wind down. 

Manage stress and relaxation: Engage in stress-reducing activities during the day, such as exercise, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help relax your body and mind before bedtime, making it easier to fall asleep. 

Avoid napping excessively: While a short power nap can be refreshing, try to limit daytime napping and avoid napping too close to your intended bedtime, as it can interfere with your ability to fall asleep at night. 

Limit caffeine and alcohol intake: Reduce or eliminate the consumption of caffeine and alcohol, especially close to bedtime, as they can disrupt sleep patterns and worsen dyssomnia symptoms. 

Seek professional help: If your dyssomnia persists or significantly impacts your quality of life, consider consulting a healthcare professional or sleep specialist. They can evaluate your condition, provide further guidance, and offer tailored treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or medication.

Wrapping Up

No one likes to feel like they’re always tired. But that’s often how people with dyssomnia describe their daily lives, as if chronic fatigue, or an inability to get quality rest, were the norm for them. The condition carries with it additional problems, too. It’s an enigma in the sleep world: it’s an issue that’s been undetected for generations and continues to affect millions of people every day.

That being said, there are numerous steps you can take to make your sleeping environment more conducive to quality sleep. Above all else, you must avoid bright light exposure—one of the most important factors. In addition, you should go to sleep at a regular time each night and wake up at the same time as well; consistency is the key to good sleep hygiene. 

If nothing else works for you, consult your physician for further advice—there’s no shame in that! Whatever you do, don’t give up! Sleep is one of the most important components of our daily lives, so don’t compromise that, no matter how difficult.

FAQs

What Is Dyssomnia?

Dyssomnia is a type of sleep disorder that refers to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or excessive sleepiness during the day.

Which Nocturnal Activity Would Increase the Risk of Dyssomnia?

Engaging in activities stimulating the brain, such as using electronic devices or watching television close to bedtime, can increase the risk of dyssomnia. This is because these activities can interfere with the natural process of falling asleep and disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm.