Sleep disorders are changes in the way that you sleep.

A sleep disorder can affect your overall health, safety and quality of life. Sleep
deprivation can affect your ability to drive safely and increase your risk of other health
problems.

Some of the signs and symptoms of sleep disorders include excessive daytime
sleepiness, irregular breathing or increased movement during sleep, and difficulty falling
asleep.

There are many different types of sleep disorders. They're often grouped into categories
that explain why they happen or how they affect you. Sleep disorders can also be
grouped according to behaviors, problems with your natural sleep-wake cycles,
breathing problems, difficulty sleeping or how sleepy you feel during the day.

Some common types of sleep disorders include:

 Insomnia, in which you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout
the night.

 Sleep apnea, in which you experience abnormal patterns in breathing while you
are asleep. There are several types of sleep apnea.

 Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a type of sleep movement disorder. Restless legs
syndrome, also called Willis-Ekbom disease, causes an uncomfortable sensation
and an urge to move the legs while you try to fall asleep.

 Narcolepsy, a condition characterized by extreme sleepiness during the day and

falling asleep suddenly during the day.

There are many ways to help diagnose sleep disorders. Doctors can usually treat most
sleep disorders effectively once they're correctly diagnosed.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sleep disorders include being very sleepy during the daytime and having
trouble falling asleep at night. Other symptoms are breathing in an unusual pattern or
feeling an uncomfortable urge to move while you sleep.
TYPES

Insomnia describes a general difficulty falling or staying asleep. It’s one of

the most common sleep disorders.

After just one night of short sleep, individuals experience the effects of
sleep deprivation the following day, which include difficulty focusing,
irritability, impulsivity, and lack of balance. When people have insomnia,
they get short sleep on a more regular basis. As a result, the symptoms of
sleep deprivation persist for a period of days to years. These symptoms are
disruptive to all aspects of daily life, and worsen with time.

On a cognitive level, the sleep deprivation caused by insomnia can

negatively impact school or work performance, and increase one’s risk of
Alzheimer’s. From an emotional health perspective, the severe mood
changes and lack of motivation may develop into depression and
substance abuse. Finally, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to
serious physical health problems like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular
disease.

Short-term, occasional insomnia lasts anywhere from a few days to a few

months. It affects about one in five people. When these symptoms persist
for a period of six months or more, it’s diagnosed as chronic insomnia.
Chronic insomnia affects 10% of adults.

Sometimes, insomnia results from a lack of good sleep hygiene. In these

cases, fixing the insomnia is as simple as making a few lifestyle changes,
like exercising earlier in the day and avoiding caffeine and electronic
devices at night.

More often, insomnia is actually a symptom of another, comorbid condition,

like a mental health disorder, chronic health issue, or even another sleep
disorder. In these cases, treating the underlying condition often results in
improved sleep. The insomnia may also be directly treated using a
combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and sleep
aids.

Circadian rhythm disorders affect people who have a circadian rhythm

—or sleep-wake cycle—that is out of alignment with what’s normal. A
healthy circadian rhythm roughly follows the patterns of the sun: we
wake up in the morning as the sun rises, begin to tire as it falls in the
evening, and fall asleep once it’s gone at night.

Your circadian rhythm dictates much more than your sleep patterns,
including your hormone levels, body temperature, and appetite. As a
result, when people have an abnormal circadian rhythm, it disrupts
their quality of life. They have trouble waking up and falling asleep at
“normal” times, don’t feel energized at the same time others do, and
generally have difficulty concentrating during the day.

The most common example of a circadian rhythm disorder is jet lag,

which occurs when a person travels rapidly to another time zone
where the patterns of sunlight mismatch those from where they came.
Jet lag often goes away in a few days, though. Living with a circadian
rhythm disorder is like having permanent jet lag.

Circadian rhythm disorders can stem from lifestyle causes, such as

with shift-work sleep disorder (where the person gets less access to
natural sunlight as a result of working the night shift). The person may
also be born with it, as can happen with blind or visually impaired
people. Since they have trouble perceiving light, they’re often more
prone to non-24 hour sleep-wake disorder.

Circadian rhythm disorders are typically treated using a combination of

melatonin and light therapy, where the individual sits in front of a
specialized light box for a set period of time each day, in order to reset
their circadian cycle.

In simple terms, hypersomnia is the opposite of insomnia. Unlike

individuals with insomnia, who have difficulty getting enough sleep,
people with hypersomnias sleep longer than “normal,” usually 9 hours
or more, and yet they still don’t feel adequately rested upon waking
up. They often have difficulty waking up in the morning and feel
groggy throughout the day.

The excessive daytime sleepiness associated with hypersomnia can

also be a symptom of another sleeping disorder (like sleep apnea).
However, idiopathic hypersomnia is distinct from other sleep disorders
in that the sleepiness persists, independently of a circadian rhythm
issue or environmental nighttime disturbance. Doctors do not yet know
what causes idiopathic hypersomnia.

Narcolepsy is another form of hypersomnia. This rare, lifelong

hypersomnia has two distinct types. Both are characterized by
excessive daytime sleepiness, but one also includes symptoms of
sudden sleep attacks during the day, sleep hallucinations, and sleep
paralysis. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused abnormalities
in the brain, but no cure yet exists.

Often, patients with narcolepsy are prescribed drugs like Ritalin and
SSRIs to help manage their symptoms. Patients with other
hypersomnias may also use stimulants to manage their disorder,
along with cognitive-behavioral therapy, light therapy, and lifestyle
changes.

Parasomnias describe abnormal behaviors that take place during the

transition between the various sleep stages. Typically, these occur
during the transition from wake to sleep, sleep to wake, and between
nREM and REM sleep. Common parasomnias include:

 REM Behavior Disorder, where the individual moves or yells

violently during REM sleep

 Sleep paralysis, where the individual feels alert but unable to

move when they are falling asleep or waking up
  Sleepwalking, where the person may stand up and walk around
during NREM sleep, often in the first half of the night

 Exploding Head Syndrome, where the individual hears a sudden,

loud noise that jolts them awake just as they are falling asleep or
waking up

 Night terrors, where the individual suddenly sits up, screams, or

appears panicked, during the transition between NREM and
REM sleep

Sleep experts estimate that most adults (66%) will experience a

parasomnia at some point in their lives. Some parasomnias, such as
bedwetting and sleepwalking, are more prevalent during childhood,
with many children growing out of them by adolescence. Others can
persist throughout life, such as REM behavior disorder. Still others
may happen more occasionally, such as exploding head syndrome
and sleep paralysis.

Part of what makes diagnosing these types of sleep disorders tricky is

that the individual experiencing them often doesn’t remember the
event. Typically, another person in the household is the one who
notices the symptoms.

DIAGNOSIS

Even though it happens while you’re sleeping, diagnosing a sleep

disorder isn’t as tricky as you might think. Patients and health
professionals have a variety of tools they can use to detect, diagnose,
and monitor sleep issues.
The first step usually starts with you suspecting you have a problem.
You’ll notice that you have trouble falling or staying asleep at night, or
you’ll feel tired during the day, even when you think you’re getting
enough sleep.

Alternately, a family member will alert you to the sleep issue. Spouses
and partners share their bed with each other, so they’ll notice if you
move a lot during the night, or talk or snore during your sleep. As for
children, parents are often the ones who notice symptoms of night
terrors and other common childhood sleep disorders.

Once you consult a doctor about your sleep issues, they’ll probably
ask you to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks and ask you questions
about your sleep hygiene. If they note anything abnormal, they may
refer you to a sleep clinic.

There, sleep scientists and technicians will perform various tests to

diagnose your sleep disorder. This may include a polysomnogram,
where you’ll be asked to stay at the clinic overnight while your brain
waves, heart rate, breathing, and other vitals are monitored while you
sleep. There’s also the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, which measures
how quickly you fall asleep. This test is used to diagnose narcolepsy,
hypersomnia, and breathing and movement disorders.

Sleep disorders are ubiquitous, and the government estimates 25%-

30% of adults in the US have a disorder that results in some impact
on mortality and disability.
The most common comorbidities that go along with insomnia are
psychiatric. The association between sleep problems and mental
illness are manifold, and most psychiatric illnesses show insomnia or
hypersomnia as a symptom.  Researchers have elucidated that
unhealthy beliefs about sleep can raise the risk for suicide, as can, in
some cases, nightmares.  Unhealthy beliefs include the idea that
sleep disturbances cannot be relieved or overcome.
What is the most dangerous sleep disorder?  It depends on how we
define risk.  REM behavior disorder can be dangerous for people who
have it and those who live with them, but it is a rare disorder.  Apnea
is much more common and can lead to impaired cognitive function
and early death.  There is a spectrum of apnea severity, and it can
vary with a person’s weight, so as to be worse one year than the next. 
The most dramatic apnea incidents are deaths during sleep – often
the official cause of death will be a heart attack, but apnea has
contributed to it.  More subtle and long term are the chronic diseases
that having sleep-disordered breathing makes you liable to.  Again,
apnea might not show up on the death certificate or in a doctor’s
explanation for the cause of the disease, but the regular restriction of
oxygen can make the body susceptible to many problems.  A recent
analysis found that all-cause mortality is increased in men between
the ages of 40 and 70 with sleep-disordered breathing,
Short sleeping and long sleeping both have statistical correlations with
all mortality risk.  The interactions and relationships are doubtlessly
multifaceted and complex, and there are many mysteries and
unknowns, as there are with sleep in general.
Analysis of blood of insomniacs has found constant continuous short
sleep results in high levels of C-reactive protein which is a marker for
cardiovascular disease.  Short sleep is tied to more adipose tissue
and risk for obesity.  It also lowers cognitive nimbility, possibly leading
to poor decisions and slower reaction times.
This lowered function of the brain’s reactive and thinking abilities is
perhaps the bigger danger of poor sleep.  The danger comes not from
something at night, but from daytime sleepiness.  Sleepiness leads to
drowsy driving, which results in injury and death, and low workplace
productivity.
And although it would not be considered a danger – sleep disorders
and the daytime sleepiness they lead to a decreased “quality of life”. 
This is subjective, but real.  Life is not as good when we are always
sleepy.

https://www.tuck.com/sleep-disorders/

What Are Sleep Disorders and How Important Are They?

There are more than 80 different sleep disorders. This fact sheet focuses on insomnia—difficulty falling
asleep or difficulty staying asleep. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders.

Is It a Sleep Disorder or Not Enough Sleep?

Some people who feel tired during the day have a true sleep disorder, but for others, the real problem is
not allowing enough time for sleep. Adults need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to be well
rested, but the average adult sleeps for less than 7 hours a night.
What Are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders involve problems with the quality, timing and amount of sleep, which cause problems
with functioning and distress during the daytime. There are a number of different types of sleep
disorders, of which insomnia is the most common. Other sleep disorders are narcolepsy, obstructive
sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.

Sleep difficulties are linked to both physical and emotional problems. Sleep problems can both
contribute to or exacerbate mental health conditions and be a symptom of other mental health
conditions.

In primary care, 10-20 percent of people complain of significant sleep problems. About one-third of
adults report insomnia symptoms and 6-10 percent meet the criteria for insomnia disorder.1

Importance of Sleep

Sleep is a basic human need and is critical to both physical and mental health. There are two types of
sleep that generally occur in a pattern of three-to-five cycles per night:

Rapid eye movement (REM) – when most dreaming occurs

Non-REM – has three phases, including the deepest sleep

When you sleep is also important. Your body typically works on a 24-hour cycle (circadian rhythm) that
helps you know when to sleep.

How much sleep we need varies depending on age and varies from person to person. Most adults need
about seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The
Foundation revised its sleep recommendations in 2015 based on a rigorous review of scientific
literature.

Many of us do not get enough sleep. Nearly 30 percent of adults get less than six hours of sleep each
night and only about 30 percent of high school students get at least eight hours of sleep on an average
school night.2 An estimated 35 percent of Americans report their sleep quality as “poor” or “only fair.”3

More than 50 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders.2

Sleep Recommendations

Age Hours of Sleep

Infant (4-11 months) 12-15 hours

Toddler (1-2 years) 11-14 hours

Preschooler (3-5 years) 10-13 hours

School-age child (6-13 years) 9-11 hours

Teen (14-17 years) 8-10 hours

Young adult (18-25 years) 7-9 hours

Adult (26-64 years) 7-9 hours

Older adult (65+ years) 7-8 hours

Source: National Sleep Foun Consequences of Lack of Sleep and Coexisting Conditions

Sleep helps your brain function properly. Not getting enough sleep or poor quality sleep has many
potential consequences. The most obvious concerns are fatigue and decreased energy, irritability and
problems focusing. The ability to make decisions and mood can also be affected. Sleep problems often
coexist with symptoms of depression or anxiety. Sleep problems can exacerbate depression or anxiety,
and depression or anxiety can lead to sleep problems.

Lack of sleep and too much sleep are linked to many chronic health problems, such as heart disease and
diabetes. Sleep disturbances can also be a warning sign for medical and neurological problems, such as
congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s disease. Dation

Related Conditions

Other sleep disorders include:

Hypersomnolence disorder involves excessive sleepiness even when getting enough sleep and difficulty
waking up (may be confused, not fully awake, for a period of time)

Narcolepsy involves excessive daytime sleepiness (“sleep attacks”) combined with sudden muscle
weakness several times a week

Breathing-related sleep disorders (in addition to sleep apnea)

Central sleep apnea

Sleep related hypoventilation

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders

Parasomnias (abnormal events or experiences during sleep)

Non-rapid eye movement sleep arousal disorders

Nightmare disorder
Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

Restless legs syndrome – (associated with aches and pains throughout the legs which is relieved by
movement of the leg, such as walking or kicking)

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/sleep-disorders/what-are-sleep-disorders?
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