Who is at risk of developing a sleep disorder?

According to an extensive and reliable systematic epidemiological review of the global literature on risk factors for sleep disturbance in older adults published in the US in 2016, you are most likely to be at higher risk for a major sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea if you:

• Are of female gender.

• Have a physical illness (of particular Africa relevance are illness such as e.g. HIV/AIDs, Sleeping sickness, and Tuberculosis).

• Suffer from depressed mood.

Other risk factors include if you:

• Are overweight

• Are pregnant (> 34 years, multiparous and in 2^nd or 3^rd trimester)

• Are old in age (> 75 years)

• Are experiencing stress (financial, family or work related)

• Live in isolation.

• Are recently bereaved

• Do nightshift work

• Travel long distance often

• Abuse drugs or alcohol

• Have family members who suffer from a sleep disorder

• Are taking medication(s) that disturbs sleep

• Have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Knowing if you are at an increased risk for sleep disorders can help you monitor your sleeping habits and ensure that you seek professional help early.

Diagnosis

If you believe you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, it is important to visit with your primary care doctor or a sleep disorder specialist doctor – who are extremely few in many African countries anyway.

Your doctors will take your history, perform a physical examination and make a diagnosis of your specific sleep disorder.

Further tests, such as a comprehemsive sleep study (polysomnography), brain scan and blood work, may be recommended to make an accurate diagnosis.

Resources

Related:

Normal Sleep: What African should know

Slideshow: Who is at risk of major sleep disturbances?

Sleep medications: Types, Uses and Side effects

Snoring

Published: February 7, 2023

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