Fatigue is a constant companion for many of us, affecting our energy, concentration and well-being on a daily basis. This feeling can be physical, mental or general. Sometimes temporary, fatigue can also be a sign of a sleep disorder. Did you know that around 40% of Canadians suffer from a sleep disorder at some point in their lives?
If you feel you’re sleeping poorly, waking up constantly exhausted or finding it difficult to complete your daytime activities despite a full night’s sleep, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Let’s find out if your fatigue is a symptom of a sleep disorder and when it’s crucial to consult a health professional.
Detecting the signs of a sleep disorder
Occasional tiredness is normal for everyone, but chronic fatigue or severe daytime sleepiness can reveal a sleep disorder affecting the quality, duration and course of your sleep. Here are the main symptoms and warning signs to look out for:
- Daytime sleepiness: This is a very specific feeling of reduced alertness, where the desire to sleep becomes irrepressible (as in the expression ‘hitting nails’). Daytime sleepiness indicates a need for sleep. If, despite regular sleep of adequate duration, you feel drowsy during the day, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.
- Persistent daytime fatigue: Daytime fatigue reflects more of a non-specific feeling of physical or mental exhaustion, which can be improved by changing the type of activity, for example by going for a walk outside.
- Difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep and frequent awakenings: Difficulty falling asleep – whether at the beginning, middle or end of the night, repeated night-time awakenings or light, unrefreshing sleep – may indicate the presence of sleep disorders affecting the quality of your rest.
- Headaches on waking: Frequent headaches on waking can be a symptom of breathing problems during sleep, such as sleep apnea, or of nocturnal dehydration.
- Cognitive problems: Chronic fatigue can affect alertness, concentration and even memory. Struggling to stay alert or motivated can mean that your sleep is not allowing your body to recover optimally.
- Unstable mood: Irritability, impatience and sadness can be side-effects of sleep disorders, especially if fatigue is disrupting your emotional life.
- Reduced immunity: The human body relies on restful sleep to strengthen its immune system. If you often fall ill, even from minor infections, this could be a symptom.
- Weight gain: Fatigue and lack of sleep sometimes lead to weight gain, as the body’s energy deficit increases the feeling of hunger.
- Decreased libido: Sleep disorders can reduce the production of essential hormones and cause a drop in physical and mental energy, affecting sexual desire.
If you recognize yourself in these symptoms, your fatigue is probably a sign of a sleep disorder. However, chronic fatigue can have many causes. It may be important to have a medical check-up to verify your state of health. Talk to a healthcare professional at Neurotherapy Montreal for a diagnosis.
The different sleep disorders
There are over 100 sleep disorders, each of which can affect your body and your health in different ways. Here are the most common disorders, which may be at the root of your chronic fatigue.
Insomnia
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It is a very common disorder that affects quality of life by increasing exhaustion and tiredness during the day. Learn more about insomnia.
Narcolepsy
This disorder causes excessive sleepiness during the day and sudden, uncontrollable falls asleep, even in the middle of activities.
Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, despite a full night’s sleep. Sufferers may have difficulty staying awake during daily activities, feeling a constant need to sleep or take naps.
Sleep apnea
This disorder manifests itself as repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, causing brief but frequent awakenings. Sleep apnea syndrome leads to a drop in oxygen saturation, which disrupts sleep quality and can cause daytime sleepiness, headaches and cognitive problems. Learn more about sleep apnea.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
This disorder causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs in the evening or during the night, disrupting sleep. People with this syndrome often feel tired during the day.
REM sleep behaviour disorders (RBSD)
TCSP are abnormal behaviours and movements during REM sleep. The person physically acts out their dreams, often shouting, moving more or less violently, or talking.
Sleepwalking
The person affected gets up and carries out activities while still asleep, with no memory of them when they wake up. This disorder generally occurs during phases of deep sleep.
Sleep paralysis
During sleep paralysis, a person wakes up temporarily but is unable to move or speak. This problem may be accompanied by visual or auditory hallucinations, creating a feeling of anxiety or fear for the patient.
Sleep disorders are common, but they shouldn’t be ignored: they affect not only your mental health but your physical health too. Take advantage of our health team’s expertise.
Do you recognize yourself in these sleep disorders?
Consult the sleep clinic at Neurotherapy Montreal.The main causes of sleep disorders
Sleep disorders have a variety of often interconnected causes. Among the most common are :
- Lifestyle and habits: Irregular sleep-wake rhythms, abuse of stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol, night shifts, screens before bed and stress can disrupt sleep quality.
- Environmental factors: The quality of the sleeping environment plays an important role. A noisy sleeping area, too much light, an ambient temperature that is too high or too low, but also the quality of the bed and pillows, can lead to difficulties in falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Mental health: Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as stress and trauma, have a bidirectional link with sleep disorders; they affect each other and create problems that become chronic over time.
- Medical factors: Certain chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and asthma can affect sleep. Ask your doctor if an illness could be the cause of your poor nights’ sleep. Chronic pain and certain medications also cause side effects that affect sleep.
Understanding the causes of your sleep problems can help you and your doctor to implement appropriate strategies to improve your well-being.
Diagnosing a sleep disorder
If you recognize certain symptoms and think you are suffering from a sleep disorder, it is essential to consult a health professional. A precise diagnosis can be made by various means:
- Clinical interview: An initial assessment with a doctor or sleep specialist will help you take stock of your sleep habits, lifestyle and medical history.
- Complete polysomnography (PSG): This laboratory test analyses various parameters during the night: brain activity, heart rate, eye movements, heart rate and breathing during sleep. PSG is recommended for diagnosing sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and parasomnias.
- Cardiorespiratory sleep polygraphy (CRSP): This test focuses on breathing and oxygenation during the night, which is particularly useful for people suspected of suffering from apnea.
- Home tests: Certain studies can be carried out at home for specific cases, in order to measure sleep-disordered breathing in a familiar environment over a longer period.
- Actigraphy: This device, usually worn on the wrist, records activity and sleep cycles over several days to assess sleep regularity and quality.
These assessments are generally carried out in specialized establishments such as sleep clinics. The results of your assessment will enable your doctor to understand your condition and propose a personalized treatment plan.
Consult a sleep clinic in Montreal
Taking care of your sleep means taking care of your body, your mind and your quality of life. The Neurotherapy Montreal clinic (ELNA Medical Group), specializes in sleep disorders and other mental health problems.
With us, you will receive an in-depth assessment with our neuropsychologists and psychologists to understand the cause of your chronic fatigue. If a disorder is identified, you will benefit from a tailor-made treatment plan and sympathetic follow-up tailored to your needs.
Book your appointment at Neurotherapy Montreal
Sources | Fondation sommeil | Cancer.ca – Sleep problems | Neurotherapy Montreal – Sleep disorders
