What is a Sleep Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, chronic sleep disorders affect at least 40 million Americans each year. Left untreated, sleep disorders — and the resulting sleep deprivation – can interfere with your work, driving, and social activities. Over time, sleep disorders can even have negative effects on your physical and mental well-being.
A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is any disorder in the sleep patterns of an individual. There are several symptoms of a sleep disorder, including:
- Snoring
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Difficulty staying awake during the daytime (excessive sleepiness)
- Sleeping too much
- Difficulty sleeping during normal sleep hours at nighttime
- Abnormal behaviors during sleep which disrupt sleep
- Sleep that leaves you feeling unrefreshed
Experts estimate that there are over 100 different types of sleep disorders. Of these sleep disorders, the most common are:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Sleep apnea is characterized by episodes of cessation of breathing during night time sleep that can occur as often as several hundred times in a night. Snoring is a warning that the sleeper may be a victim of sleep apnea. More »
Insomnia
Insomnia may mean you have a hard time going to sleep or that you have a hard time staying asleep. Usually, you will know if you are experiencing insomnia because you will remember tossing and turning or being awake at night. More »
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which impairs the ability of your central nervous system to regulate sleep. Because falling asleep during some activities like walking, driving, or cooking can have drastic effects, narcolepsy is a dangerous sleep disorder. More »
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable, tingly, or creeping sensations in your legs, which create an uncontrollable urge to keep them moving. RLS is not necessarily confined to your sleep time. More »
Advanced or Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS), also known as delayed sleep-phase disorder, is a chronic disorder of sleep timing. People with DSPS tend to fall asleep at very late times, and also have difficulty waking up in the morning.
Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) is a sleep disorder in which patients feel very sleepy early in the evening (e.g., 18:00-19:00) and wake up very early in the night (e.g., midnight, 1:00, etc.). More »
Snoring
Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. While snoring is not generally considered a sleep disorder in and of itself, it is a recurring, chronic condition that can cause physical, psychological, and social issues. More »
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