Sleep Disorders
There are more than 70 different sleep disorders that are generally classified into one of three categories:
- lack of sleep (e.g., insomnia),
- disturbed sleep (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea)
- excessive sleep (e.g., narcolepsy)
In most cases, sleep disorders can be easily managed once they are properly diagnosed. Some of the most common disorders are described below. In depth descriptions and additional disorders may be found in Appendix A.
- Insomnia: Many people associate insomnia with an inability to fall asleep, which in turn leads to Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). While difficulty falling asleep is one type of insomnia, frequent nighttime awakenings, poor quality rest and early awakening are also characteristic of the condition. Insomnia itself is not an actual disorder: it is a symptom of an underlying problem.
- Apnea: Sleep apnea occurs when breathing passages are obstructed at night. A person with apnea stops breathing for periods of 10 seconds to 2 minutes throughout the night, leading to poor and fragmented rest. The lack of quality rest leads to EDS. Severe snoring or choking noises while asleep are common symptoms of apnea. Obesity, poor muscle tone, and alcohol consumption often worsen apnea symptoms. Over time, apnea can have negative effects on both slumber patterns and physical health. Controlling obesity, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol may help alleviate symptoms.
- Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes sudden shifts from wakefulness into sleep. EDS is a symptom of narcolepsy, and people often have "nap attacks" that can occur almost anywhere.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): A deep feeling of pulling, itching, or "creeping" in the legs, especially when lying down, is a characteristic of restless legs syndrome. The feeling is almost impossible to ignore, and is alleviated slightly by moving the legs. Fragmented and poor quality rest due to constant leg motion leads to daytime fatigue and tiredness. A distinct disorder, which often occurs simultaneously with RLS, is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). PLMD is generally described as repetitive, involuntary movement during sleep, often resulting in arousal.
