Common Sleep Disorders

Here’s a list of common sleeping disorders:

Insomnia

• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.

Sleep Apnea

• Characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, often due to an obstruction of the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) or a failure of the brain to send proper signals (Central Sleep Apnea).

Narcolepsy

• A neurological disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden episodes of muscle weakness (cataplexy), along with disrupted nighttime sleep.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

• An uncomfortable sensation in the legs that creates an urge to move them, especially at night, disrupting sleep.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

• Disorders where the internal body clock is misaligned with the natural day-night cycle, including:
  • Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder: Difficulty falling asleep at a typical time.
  • Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder: Falling asleep and waking up unusually early.
  • Jet Lag: A temporary disruption of circadian rhythm due to travel across time zones.
  • Shift Work Disorder: Trouble sleeping due to non-traditional work hours.

Parasomnias

• Unusual behaviors during sleep, including:
  • Sleepwalking: Walking or performing other activities while not fully awake.
  • Sleep Talking: Talking during sleep, often without awareness.
  • Night Terrors: Episodes of intense fear, screaming, or thrashing, typically in children.
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Acting out vivid dreams during REM sleep due to a lack of normal muscle paralysis.

Hypersomnia

• Excessive daytime sleepiness not attributed to lack of sleep or poor sleep quality, often associated with conditions like idiopathic hypersomnia.

Sleep Paralysis

• Temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.

Bruxism

• Teeth grinding or clenching during sleep, which can disrupt sleep and lead to dental problems.

Nocturia

• Frequent need to wake up to urinate during the night, interrupting sleep.

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS)

• A rare disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive sleep (up to 20 hours a day) and altered behavior, sometimes referred to as “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome.”

Nightmare Disorder

• Frequent and vivid nightmares that cause significant distress and disrupt sleep.

These sleeping disorders can impact daily functioning and overall health, often requiring lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, or medical treatment to manage.