Each year, there are millions of Americans diagnosed with sleep disorders. But what happens when sleep disorders are misdiagnosed or are missed entirely by your doctor?
When a sleep disorder is misdiagnosed, the sufferers will likely
continue to have difficulties getting with their sleep. Because there has been
a misdiagnosis, the actual disorder is not going to be treated properly, and
you may even end up being unnecessarily treated for a condition that you do not
even have. Several sleep disorders are frequently misdiagnosed and those who
suffer from them often do so for several years.
Restless Leg Syndrome Misdiagnosis
One of
the most commonly misdiagnosed sleep disorders is restless
leg syndrome, or RLS. This is a condition that causes the sufferer to feel
pain or itching sensations in their legs, and they often kick a lot during the
night when they are sleeping or trying to get to sleep. Often, because this is
a condition that causes the sufferer to have a lack of sleep and the sleeper
may not be fully aware of the symptoms, it is misdiagnosed as other types of
sleep disorders, frequently insomnia.
Sleep Apnea Misdiagnosis
Sleep
apnea is becoming more commonly diagnosed as awareness has
increased. Some people who suffer from sleep apnea have been incorrectly
diagnosed as having such medical conditions as hypersomnia, depression, asthma,
psychiatric disorders or insomnia. In some cases they or their doctors believed
that they only had a serious snoring problem.
Other conditions that sleep apnea has been mistaken for include
thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome and hypothyroidism.
Sleep Disorders Misdiagnosed as ADD / ADHD
Many children and adults with sleep disorders have been
misdiagnosed as having ADD, attention deficit disorder, or ADHD, attention
deficit hyperactive disorder, because many symptoms associated with ADD and
ADHD are similar to those of many sleep disorders.
ADD and ADHD symptoms share many common traits with those of
sleep disorders such as having difficulty concentrating and recalling lessons
learned the day before. Many children diagnosed with ADHD do not actually have
the condition, and their sleep disorders are still not being treated.
This type of misdiagnosis may actually make the sleep disorder more
pronounced as ADD and ADHD is usually treated with medications that are
stimulants and may make sleeping more difficult on their own.
If you
think that you may have a sleep disorder, but it has not been diagnosed by your
physician, you should seek a second opinion and review your sleep
disorder symptoms. Once your condition is properly diagnosed, you can get on your
way to treating it and start getting the sleep
that you need.
Night Sweats
There
are many things that can break up your sleep: bad dreams, a drippy faucet or a
snoring spouse. But when you wake up sweating at night, feeling sticky and
uncomfortable, it is more than just an inconvenience it can be a sign of a more
serious health condition, a sleep
disorder known as night sweats.
Night Sweats Definition
Medically, night sweats are defined as any profuse sweating that
occurs during sleep or nighttime hours without obvious causes such as a hot and
humid night.
Causes of Night Sweats
Night sweats can be caused by serious medical conditions, the
most common cause is tuberculosis. Those who complain of night sweats are first
tested for this condition to rule it out. Other causes of night sweats include
pregnancy, menopause, an infection, using certain medications, cancer, hormone
disorders, stress or anxiety.
Night Sweats Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of night sweats are physical: waking up
soaked in sweat when you were sleeping normally beforehand is the first visual
symptom. The amount of and type sweat is also indicative as it is typically
profuse and may have an acidic smell to it as well. A light sheen of sweat on a
hot summer night is normal, but having to get up to change clothing and sheets
and to shower is not.
Night Sweats Treatment
How you treat your night sweats must first start with addressing
the main cause. If you believe that you may have this condition consult with
your doctor to determine underlying cause. Once the reason for the night sweats
is found you can pursue the proper treatment to address the condition.
In addition to the treatment prescribed by your doctor reducing
the temperature in the room, sleeping with a fan or wearing thin cotton
clothing to wick the sweat away from your body will help to minimize the
discomfort from night sweats.
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