Sleep Disorders

Sleep is a dynamic process during which the brain is very active. Falling asleep and waking up are controlled by various chemical changes in the brain and in the blood. Foods and medicines that alter the balance of these chemicals also affect how well we sleep. Although medical experts do not exactly understand why the body requires sleep, inadequate sleep can have severe detrimental effects on health. About 50% of adults over the age of 65 have some type of sleep disorder. It is not clear whether this is a normal part of aging, or a result of medications.

Studies have showed that sleep is essential for normal immune system function and to maintain the ability to fight disease and sickness. There are recognized stages of sleep, each of which is characterized by a different type of brain wave activity.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 40 million people in the United States suffer from chronic sleep disorders every year and an extra 20 million people suffer from occasional sleep problems.

Types of Sleep Disorders
There are more than 70 different sleep disorders that are generally classified into three major categories: lack of sleep (e.g., insomnia), disturbed sleep (e.g., sleep apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder, restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder), and excessive sleep (e.g., narcolepsy).

Causes of Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are very common and they can result from a number of causes. Stress, illness, diet (e.g., caffeine, alcohol), and medications (e.g., antidepressants) all can cause sleep difficulties. Generally, sleep disorders can be easily managed once they are properly diagnosed.

According to a survey, poor sleepers reported worse health overall. Nearly 96 percent of them reported having one or more of 50 medical disorders listed on the survey. By comparison, 30 percent of those who said they had no sleep problems said they had none of those disorders.

The Most Common Sleep Disorder
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. It occurs more often in women and in the elderly. Insomnia is also used to describe the condition of waking up not feeling restored or refreshed. Insomnia refers to the inability to get the amount of sleep you as an individual need to wake up feeling rested.

How to Self-treat Sleep Disorders
Many people turn either to over-the-counter medications or to dietary supplements to treat their sleep disorders, particularly insomnia. When a survey was conducted to find complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among the general population, insomnia was ranked eighth among top complaints, and roughly 25% of the patients with insomnia used some form of CAM to treat it.

Sleep disorders are among the most common medical conditions treated with dietary supplements. There are a large number of dietary supplements that have been used traditionally to self-treat sleep disorders. It’s suggested that certain supplements, like valerian and melatonin, may benefit patients with specific sleep disorders. However, evidence for most supplements is preliminary or nonexistent. Most patients are not aware of the issues surrounding dietary supplement use and can benefit from pharmacist intervention.

Apart from dietary supplements, many herbs have also been used to treat insomnia. Valerian, lavender, passionflower, melatonin, German chamomile, catnip, hops, lemon balm, linden or lime flower, and skullcap to name but a few of herbs useful to treat sleep disorders. Although they are usually taken orally, some herbs are used in the form of essential oil aromatherapy. Certain herbs, including lavender, hops, lemon balm and chamomile, are incorporated into a small 'sleep pillow', which is placed inside the pillowcase next to the patient's head so the scent can be used to lure sleep.

Role of Pharmacists
As patients every now and then use dietary supplements to treat sleep disorders without consulting a physician, pharmacists can play a vital role in preventing misadventure. Pharmacists should ask their patients about dietary supplement use and let them know regarding the issues related to their use. One should remember that patients may not be aware of the complexities related to dietary supplement use. They may also have turned to dietary supplements when other medical options were exhausted or because they were reluctant to seek help for their problem. Pharmacists should make their patients aware as how and when to take common dosages and any interactions with medications they may be taking.