Understanding and Managing Sleep Disorders

Quality sleep is crucial for your overall health, and disruptions in sleep can significantly impact both your physical and mental well-being.

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The Importance of Sleep

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Lack of sleep has been linked to heightened blood pressure, increased risk of hypertension, and serious heart-related complications, such as heart attacks and strokes. The good news is that sleep disorders are manageable with the right treatment.

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Common Sleep Disorders in Adults and How We Help:

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Insomnia

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Insomnia is a condition where you struggle to fall or stay asleep, affecting various aspects of life, including work, decision-making, and relationships. Insomnia can be triggered by stress, chronic pain, depression, and environmental factors like noise, light, and irregular sleep patterns, such as those caused by shift work.

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At Evolving Minds, we use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) to address negative thought patterns and behaviours related to sleep, helping you establish healthier sleep habits and improve your quality of life.

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Sleep Apnoea

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Sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, often without your awareness. This disorder is linked to various health issues, including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. It also significantly increases the risk of accidents, such as falling asleep while driving.

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While medical intervention is typically necessary, lifestyle changes like weight management, reducing smoking, and limiting alcohol can help manage symptoms. Additionally, CBT can be effective in alleviating the impact of sleep apnoea on your life.

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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom Disease

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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) causes an irresistible urge to move your legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations like itching or burning. This condition can severely disrupt your sleep, leading to irritability, difficulty concentrating, and an increased risk of depression and anxiety. RLS is more common in women and can be triggered by factors like iron deficiency, low dopamine levels, and other sleep disorders.

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Managing RLS involves lifestyle adjustments and adopting healthy coping strategies.

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Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

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These disorders affect the timing of your sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at the desired times. Common conditions include delayed sleep phase disorder, jet lag, and shift work disorder.

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Circadian rhythm sleep disorders stem from disruptions in your biological clock because of work schedules or social obligations. Symptoms can include insomnia, fatigue, depression, stress in relationships, and impaired performance at work.

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Effective treatments for circadian rhythm sleep disorders include progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy, and practicing good sleep hygiene. We can guide you through these treatments to help restore a balanced sleep-wake cycle.

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Take the First Step Towards Better Sleep

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If you believe you could benefit from seeing an Evolving Minds clinician, please don't hesitate to contact us at (02) 8519 4197 or click on the button below to complete our appointment request form.