A large part of the population is affected by insomnia and other sleep disorders. For the mind and body to refresh and repair itself from day to day, adequate rest is imperative. Sleeplessness causes other disorders which influence the well-being and proper functioning of a person.

Properly speaking, a person with insomnia may have be unable to fall asleep. The other part to insomnia is that they wake up after a short time. Various factors influence sleeping patterns. Psychological trauma, stress and physical problems all impact on how a person sleeps. Lack of high-quality rest can lead to headaches, daytime drowsiness, depression, anxiety and fatigue.

Insomnia can be a symptom of other disorders. Whatever the cause, being unable to get a refreshing night's rest is a problem for a great many people. Restless leg syndrome and sleep apnoea are two of only many disorders which may cause sleeplessness.

Sleep apnoea is now believed to affect a large part of the population. Many people are not aware they suffer from this. Apnoea causes brief, temporary cessation of breathing during rest. The airways collapse and breathing stops. Although the periods are short they may occur many times over a period of rest.

The outcome of apnoea is low levels of oxygen in the blood. There is a subsequent increase in levels of carbon monoxide. Bringing levels back to normal ranges places stress on the body. One of the treatments for apnoea is the wearing of a mask at night. These continuous positive air pressure masks (CPAP) continually force air into the airways.

Another condition which causes a person to continually wake is restless leg syndrome. This is a neurological disorder. Symptoms include sensations of insects crawling over the legs, burning, pain and itching. There may be pins and needles. Limbs may suddenly and involuntarily jerk causing the sufferer to wake up. There is an almost uncontrollable urge to change position to bring relief.

One or both legs may be affected. There is a continual compulsion to move the limbs. Sensations may occur throughout the day. A doctor can help alleviate restless leg syndrome once it has been diagnosed. The condition is often found in conjunction with periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). This can affect any of the limbs.

Sufferers of insomnia and other sleep disorders should consult a general practitioner. He may recommend a polysomnography. This is a study of sleep patterns during the night. By studying the graph produced, he will be able to analyse brain activity which takes place while you are sleeping. This will give him information about the way the body responds through the night.