Sleep Disorders

Sleep Disorders

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem

Sleep disorders are conditions that affect how much and how well you sleep. The causes range from poor habits that keep you awake to medical problems that disrupt your sleep cycle. If you don't feel rested in the mornings, see your doctor. Insufficient sleep is a serious problem that poses a threat to your health and safety.

Lack of sleep can take a toll on nearly every aspect of daily life. Research has linked sleep deprivation to car accidents, relationship troubles, poor job performance, job-related injuries, memory problems, and mood disorders. Recent studies also suggest sleep disorders may contribute to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Symptoms vary depending on the type of sleep disorder but may include:

• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Snoring or episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Urge to move your legs at rest or an uncomfortable feeling in the legs at night

How Much Sleep Is Enough?

Sleep needs vary widely from person to person, but general guidelines are:

• 16 hours for infants
• 9 hours for teenagers
• 7-8 hours for adults

Keep in mind that some adults do fine with 5 hours of sleep and others need as many as 10 hours per night.

Most people have trouble sleeping once in awhile, but when the problem lingers night after night you may have insomnia. People with insomnia may lie awake for hours before falling asleep. They may wake up too early and be unable to drift off again. Or they may wake up repeatedly throughout the night. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, affecting a third of adults at some point in life.Do something Lillah.Read Qur'an, pray Qiyaam.

What to say before sleeping

(Cup your palms together, blow gently into them and then recite:)

(1) Sura Al-Ikhlas

(2) Sura Al-Falaq

(3) Sura An-Nas  

(Then pass your hands over as much of your body as you can reach, beginning with the head and the face, then the entire front of your body. Do this three times .)

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 9/62, and Muslim 4/ 1723.

Then recite Ayatul Kursi after it.

Reference: Al-Baqarah 2:255.

Whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain with him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he rises in the morning. See Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 4/487.

Read also Sura Al-Baqarah 2:285-286 after reading Ayatul Kursi.

These two Verses will be sufficient for anyone who recites them at night before sleeping.

Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari.9/94, Muslim 1/554.

In many cases, insomnia is related to poor sleep hygiene. This refers to bad habits that interfere with sleep. Examples include drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening, eating heavy foods before bed, going to bed at a different time each night, or falling asleep with the television on.

Mental health problems can lead to insomnia. These include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, some of the medications used to treat these conditions may also cause sleep problems. If you suspect your medication is disrupting your sleep, talk to your doctor about adjusting your treatment.

"When the Prophet (Alayhi salatu wa salam) wanted to lie down to sleep, he used to place his right hand under his cheek and say..."

Allaahumma qinee 'athaabaka yawma tab'athu 'ibaadaka.

O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day that You resurrect Your slaves. (Recite three times in Arabic .)

Abu Dawud 4/311. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/143

Insomnia and Medical Conditions

Insomnia is often related to medical problems, including:

• Arthritis
• Heartburn
• Other causes of chronic pain
• Asthma
• Heart failure (due to breathing problems)
• Thyroid problems
• Neurological disorders, such as stroke, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's

Insomnia can occur during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. The problem may return during menopause, when hot flashes can interrupt a good night's sleep. Both men and women tend to have more sleep problems over age 65. In this case, a sort of "internal body clock" that controls sleep, hormone production, and other body functions is disturbed.

Sleep Apnea

People with this sleep disorder have episodes when they stop breathing many times while they sleep. The breathing pauses last several seconds and trigger a switch from deep sleep to light sleep. These interruptions can lead to daytime sleepiness. Many people with sleep apnea don't know they have it. Snoring is a common warning sign, and a spouse may notice breathing pauses followed by a snort or gasp.

Before you go to bed perform ablutions as you would for prayer, then lie down on your right side and say. . .

Allaahumma 'aslamtu nafsee 'ilayka, wa fawwadhtu 'amree 'ilayka, wa wajjahtu wajhee 'ilayka, wa 'alja'tu dhahree 'ilayka, raghbatan wa rahbatan 'ilayka, laa raalja' wa laa manja minka 'illaa 'ilayka, 'aamantu bikitaabikal-lathee 'anzalta wa bi-nabiyyikal-lathee 'arsalta.

O Allah,I submit myself to You, entrust my affairs to You, turn my face to You, and lay myself down depending upon You , hoping in You and fearing You . There is no refuge , and no escape, except to You. I believe in Your Book (the Qur'an) that You revealed, and the Prophet Alayhi salatu wa salam, whom You sent.

The Prophet (Alayhi salatu wa salam) said: "Whoever says this and dies in his sleep, has died in a state of the natural monotheism (Fitrah)."

Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/113, Muslim 4/2081