But the brains of those with narcolepsy contain lower levels of a chemical called hypocretin which is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness. The cause of narcolepsy is not very well understood, Dr Daisy says. Compressing the legs with compression socks has been found to give relief.' Narcolepsy 'In one study, those who followed a regular fitness regime for six weeks reported a 39 per cent improvement in their RLS symptoms, as compared to an eight per cent improvement in the group who took no exercise. Participating in regular physical exercise is important. It's important to avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking as these are known to worsen symptoms. The cause is not known.Įxplaining ways to treat the syndrome, the doctor says: 'Treating RLS is difficult. The condition affects 5-10 per cent of adults but can occur in children. They often complain of sensations in their legs such as pricking or crawling. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which sufferers have an irresistible urge to move their legs at night. Note that sleeping tablets are not usually the answer.' Restless Leg Syndrome Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be very helpful. You may need counselling or treatment for stress, anxiety or depression. She adds: 'If things don’t improve, see your GP. Wind down for sleep, with soft music and gentle pastimes such as reading or yoga.' When you wake up, open the curtains and flood the room with natural light. Adopt a regular sleep routine, going to bed at the same time every night and waking at the same time every morning. Ensure you are sleeping in a cool, dark bedroom, in a comfortable bed. Stress, anxiety and depression, which can be triggered by life events such as work issues, relationship difficulties or bereavement - means the mind remains active as thought processes are disturbed and sleep does not set in. The expert says: 'The reasons for insomnia are complex. The most effective treatment is the use of a mandibular device – a specialised mouthpiece which pulls the jaw forward holding the airway open at night, or the use of continuous positive airways pressure.' Simple measures such as stopping smoking, losing weight and treating acid reflux can help. The act of breathing actually stops for up to 30 seconds, before the person startles with a snort, and starts breathing again.ĭr Daisy says: 'Sleep apnoea can be successfully treated. It occurs due to loss of muscle tone in the back of the throat and upper airways. Sleep Apnoea is a common condition affecting one in eight UK adults, most of whom are unaware they have it.

Sharing her top tips, below is a list of all the things Dr Daisy recommends people do if they suffer from any of the following issues. This is closely followed by insomnia, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, delayed sleep phase syndrome, shift work sleep disorder and REM sleep behaviour disorder.Ĭommenting on the findings, Dr Daisy said: 'We all know how big a role sleep plays in our health and productivity, and with so many of us suffering from a lack of sleep due to specific disorders, it’s important those of us suffering know how best to navigate these disorders to maximise our sleep quality.'

Research conducted by the bed-making company has found sleep apnea to be the most common issue Brits have when it comes to getting some shut-eye, with more than 110k searches a month. Get Laid Beds has collaborated with sleep guru, Dr Daisy Mae, to help Brits treat the most common sleep disorders. An expert has explained the best ways people can help themselves out if they're suffering from sleep problems.

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