7. Sleep Disturbances – The Shadowy Thief in the Night
Among the constellation of HAND symptoms, sleep disturbances often get overshadowed. However, their impact is significant and far-reaching. The shadowy thief in the night, sleep disturbances in HAND can rob individuals of their much-needed rest, adding another layer of complexity to the disorder.
At the onset, you might notice minor changes in sleep patterns. Perhaps the person is taking longer to fall asleep or waking up more frequently during the night.
They might also complain about feeling unrefreshed even after a full night’s sleep. Such symptoms, while seemingly harmless, should not be dismissed as mere signs of stress or aging.
As HAND progresses, the sleep disturbances can become more severe. Individuals may experience insomnia, finding it increasingly difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Conversely, they may experience hypersomnia, characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day, despite getting adequate sleep at night.
The effects of these sleep disturbances extend beyond the night, seeping into the day. The individual might struggle with fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes, further exacerbating the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of HAND. It’s like being caught in a vicious cycle, where poor sleep feeds into the HAND symptoms, which in turn worsen the sleep disturbances.(7)
