sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are circumstances that affect the quality, duration, and length of your night’s sleep. Common sleep disorders comprise insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Sleep disorders can touch your mental and physical health. Treatments are available to help you get the rest you need.

Table of Contents

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the body’s aptitude to get the rest it needs and stay awake. There are more than 80 sleep disorders that affect:

The quality of sleep;

When you fall asleep and whether you can sleep (time);

How much you sleep and how long you are awake (quantity or duration).

We can all have trouble sleeping from time to time. But you may have a sleep disorder if:

You regularly have trouble sleeping;

You feel tired during the day, even if you slept at least seven hours the night before;

You find it difficult to perform your usual daytime activities.

What are the main categories of sleep disorders?

The groupings of sleep disorders have changed many times over the years. Recently, the Worldwide Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) classified sleep disorders according to their symptoms, how they affect the person (pathophysiology), and the body systems they affect. The new third edition, ICSD-3R, includes the following categories:

Insomnia: Difficulty falling and staying asleep.

Sleep-related breathing disorders: Breathing changes during sleep.
Central hypersomnia disorders: Difficulty staying alert during the day.
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders: The internal clock makes it difficult to fall insensible and wake up on time.
Parasomnias: Physical actions or speech during sleep, such as walking, talking, or eating.
Sleep-related movements: Physical movements or the urge to move make it difficult to fall and/or stay asleep.
The ICSD regularly updates its information to include the most up-to-date information on sleep disorders and the types that fall into these categories.

What are the different types of sleep disorders?

There are more than 80 dissimilar types of sleep disorders. The most common are:

Chronic insomnia: You have difficulty falling or staying asleep most nights for at least three months and, as a result, feel tired or irritable. Obstructive sleep apnea: You snore and pause in breathing during sleep, which disrupts your sleep.
Restless legs syndrome: You feel the need to move your legs while resting.
Narcolepsy: You have no control over when you fall asleep or how extended you stay awake.
Shift work sleep disorder: You have difficulty falling and staying asleep, and you feel sleepy at inappropriate times due to your work agenda.
Delayed sleep phase syndrome: You fall lifeless at least deuce hours later than your desired time and have difficulty waking up for school or work.
REM sleep behavior disorder: You act out your dreams during REM sleep.

How Much Sleep Do I Need?

Sleep is essential for all of us. It is necessary for our bodies to function. You may need more or less sleep than others, but experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. The optimal amount of sleep varies by age; for example, children and adolescents may need more sleep than adults.

How Common Are Sleep Disorders?

More than 50 million people in the United States have sleep disorders. Additionally, more than 100 million Americans of all ages report not getting enough sleep.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of sleep disorders?

Symptoms of common sleep disorders vary depending on the type, but may include:

Difficulty falling asleep or regularly sleeping for more than 30 minutes.
Difficulty staying asleep during the nightly or waking up frequently in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep.
Snoring, breathing difficulty, or choking while sleeping.
Feeling the need to move while relaxing. Moving relieves this feeling.
Feeling immobile after waking. During the day, you may experience additional signs and symptoms caused by lack of sleep, including:
Daytime sleepiness, frequent naps, or falling asleep while doing routine tasks;
Behavior changes, such as difficulty concentrating;
Mood swings, such as irritability and difficulty controlling emotions;
Difficulty meeting deadlines or performance expectations at school or work;

Frequent accidents or falls;

If you feel that you cannot get a good night’s sleep or have symptoms that interfere with your daytime activities, see a doctor.

What causes sleep problems?

A disruption to your daily sleep-wake cycle causes sleep problems. There are certain factors that can cause this, and they vary depending on the type of sleep problem. These may include:

A symptom of a medical condition, such as heart disease, asthma, pain, or a nervous disorder;
A symptom of a mental infection, such as depression or anxiety;
Genetic factors (mutation);
A side effect of a medication;
Working night shifts;
Using substances before bed, such as caffeine or alcohol;
Low levels of certain chemicals or minerals in the brain;
Unknown cause.

What are the risk factors for sleep problems?

You may be at increased risk for sleep problems if you:

Have a chronic medical condition;

Suffer from stress;

Work night shifts;

There is a history of sleep disorders in your biological family.
Research shows that women are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders than men.
In addition, about half of adults over 65 have some form of sleep disorder.

What happens if I don’t get enough sleep?

If you don’t get the amount or quality of sleep you need, it can affect you in more ways than just making you feel tired during the day. Lack of sleep can lead to:

Difficulty learning, remembering, or making decisions
Personality changes, such as irritability
Slower response times (which makes accidents more likely)
Lack of sleep can also contribute to health conditions such as:
Depression
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
Dementia
Although rare, some sleep disorders can be life-threatening.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are sleep disorders diagnosed?

A doctor will diagnose sleep disorders after examining you, reviewing your symptoms, and performing any necessary tests. Tests such as blood tests or imagination studies will help your doctor better recognize the cause of your indications.
You may be asked to keep a sleep record. A sleep diary is a record of your nap habits. You will note when you go to bed, when you reduction asleep, and when you wake up each day. You should also note when you sleep during the day and how you feel before and after sleeping.
It may be helpful to keep a pen and paper by your bed to remind you to write down these details. Sometimes it can be tough to control the exact time you fall asleep, so it’s a good idea to estimate this time. You can use a smartwatch or a device (actigraph) that records your sleep-activity cycles. This can confirm the time you fell asleep and woke up.
Your doctor may recommend that you see a sleep specialist, who will accomplish a sleep study (polysomnography). A sleep study is an electronic study that records and transmits data about your body and brain activity while you sleep. Your doctor will analyze the study data to determine if you have a sleep disorder.

How to sleep better?

Your doctor may recommend changing your sleep hygiene to help you sleep better. Sleep hygiene involves changing your sleep routine to create optimal conditions. You can improve your sleep by:

Creating a comfortable sleep environment: Make sure your room is cool, quiet, and dark. If noise keeps you awake, try using background sounds, such as white noise or earplugs. If light keeps you awake, try using a sleep mask or blackout curtains.
Minimizing stress: Try reducing your stress levels before bed. You can write down tasks, such as a to-do list, earlier in the evening. This is helpful if you incline to worry and overthink in bed. It also helps you preserve a positive attitude, rather than going to bed with negative thoughts, such as, “If I don’t get enough sleep tonight, how will I survive tomorrow?” Don’t use your bed for anything other than sleep.
intimacy: Don’t watch TV or videos on your phone, eat, or work in the bedroom. Establish a regular bedtime routine: Develop bedtime habits every night, such as taking a warm bath, listening to relaxing music, or reading. Try relaxation exercises or meditation. Wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends and vacations.
Don’t look at the clock: Turn your watch or phone upside down and use only your alarm clock to wake up. Leave the room if you can’t fall asleep within 20 minutes. Read or do something relaxing in another room that doesn’t have screens.
Exercise regularly: Exercising is great for getting a good night’s sleep, but don’t do it within four hours of time to retire if you have trouble sleeping. Avoid strenuous exercise before bed.

Conclusion

Sleep disorders are more than just occasional annoyances; they are serious health problems that can significantly affect overall well-being, cognitive function, and quality of life. Without treatment, they can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and immune disorders. Early detection of signs, seeking a professional diagnosis, and developing healthy sleep habits are essential steps for effective treatment. The right combination of medical intervention and lifestyle changes allows people with sleep disorders to rest better and regain control of their daily lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are medical conditions that affect the quality, duration, and length of sleep, causing daytime discomfort and impaired functioning. Some common types are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.

2. What are the common symptoms of sleep disorders?

Symptoms can vary depending on the type, but typically include:

Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Loud snoring or difficulty breathing during sleep
Unusual movements or behaviors during sleep
Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep

3. What causes sleep disorders?

Causes can include:

Stress and anxiety
Medical conditions (e.g., asthma, chronic pain)
Medications
Irregular sleep patterns
Neurological problems
Lifestyle factors (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, screen time before bed)

4. How are sleep disorders diagnosed? Diagnosis often includes:

Medical history
Sleep diaries
Physiological testing
Sleep studies (polysomnography)
Home tests for sleep apnea

5. Can sleep disorders be treated? Yes, many sleep disorders can be treated with:

Lifestyle changes and sleep hygiene
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
Medications (for short-term or targeted treatment)
CPAP machines (for sleep apnea)
Treatment of underlying medical conditions

6. What is insomnia and how can it be treated?

Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep. Treatment includes:

Behavioral therapy (especially CBT-I)
Avoiding caffeine and electronic devices before bedtime
Developing a consistent sleep routine
Short-term use of sleeping pills (under medical supervision)

7. What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring, choking, and excessive daytime sleepiness. It is generally treated with CPAP therapy or lifestyle changes, such as weight loss.

8. When should I see a doctor about sleep problems?

You should see a doctor if you experience:

Consistent trouble sleeping
Feeling very tired during the day
Loud snoring or shortness of breath at night
Frequent nightmares or unusual movements during sleep
You sleep for long periods but still don’t feel rested

9. Are sleep problems related to other health problems?

Yes. Poor sleep is linked to the following problems:

Heart disease
Diabetes
Depression and anxiety
Obesity
Weakened immunity
Poor concentration and memory

10. What are some tips to improve sleep?

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule

Limit screen time
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed
Create a quiet, dark, and cool sleeping environment
Exercise regularly (but not right before bed)