Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is usually caused by an obstruction or narrowing of air passages. People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, sometimes hundreds of times. The person's sleep is repeatedly interrupted, but he often does not recall awakening. It can cause fatigue, personality changes, morning headaches, hypertension, impotence, irregular heart rhythm and even death. Because it occurs during sleep, this condition can go undetected by the patient. Often a spouse will notice the warning signs, which include:

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder which causes irresistible sleep attacks. While the disorder affects each person differently, symptoms can include:

Most adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. An estimated 30-50% of the general population are affected by insomnia, and 10% have chronic insomnia.

Insomnia is a symptom, not a stand-alone diagnosis or a disease. By definition, insomnia is "difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both," and it may be due to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. Insomnia is not defined by a specific number of hours of sleep that one gets, since individuals vary widely in their sleep needs and practices. Although most of us know what insomnia is and how we feel and perform after one or more sleepless nights, few seek medical advice.

Insomnia affects all age groups. Among adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence tends to increase with age. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia. If you do not address your insomnia, however, it may develop into chronic insomnia.

Insomnia is generally classified based on the duration of the problem. Not everyone agrees on one definition, but generally:

Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by leg discomfort during sleep, which is only relieved by frequent movements of the legs. The disorder consists of sensations in the lower legs that make the person uncomfortable unless the legs are moved. The sensations usually occur shortly after going to bed but may also occur during the daytime. The abnormal sensations occasionally occur in the upper leg, the feet, or the arms, in addition to the lower leg. There is an irresistible urge to walk or move the legs to relieve the discomfort, resulting in periodic episodes of leg movements during early sleep stages. Symptoms, which may last for an hour or longer and may be worse during stress or emotionally upsetting periods, can include:

Shift work sleep disorders affect people who frequently rotate shifts or work at night. Schedules for these people go against the body’s natural Circadian rhythm, and individuals have difficulty adjusting to the different sleep and wake schedules. These disorders consist of a constant or recurrent pattern of sleep interruption that results in insomnia or excessive sleepiness. This disorder is common in people who work non-traditional hours, usually between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Shift work sleep disorders can cause increased accidents, increased work-related errors, increased sick leave, increased irritability and mood problems. Symptoms include: