Sleep Disorders

Common Sleep Disorders

Common sleeping disorders include:

1. Insomnia: Insomnia refers to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression, caffeine or nicotine consumption, irregular sleep schedules, or certain medications.
2. Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. There are two main types: obstructive sleep apnea (caused by a blockage in the airway) and central sleep apnea (related to problems with the brain’s signaling to the muscles that control breathing).
3. Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. People with narcolepsy may also experience cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up.
4. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): RLS is a disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs, often described as creeping, crawling, or tingling. These sensations typically occur at rest and can disrupt sleep.
5. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD): PLMD involves repetitive movements of the legs or arms during sleep, leading to fragmented sleep and daytime sleepiness. These movements can occur every 20-40 seconds and may be accompanied by brief awakenings.
6. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): RBD is a condition where a person acts out vivid dreams during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is normally a state of muscle paralysis. This can result in movements, talking, or even violent behaviors during sleep.
7. Sleepwalking (Somnambulism): Sleepwalking involves performing complex behaviors while asleep, such as walking around, talking, or eating. Sleepwalkers may have no memory of their actions upon waking.
8. Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS): DSPS is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by a delayed sleep-wake schedule. People with DSPS have difficulty falling asleep at a conventional bedtime and may prefer to stay awake until late at night or early morning.
9. Jet Lag: Jet lag occurs when traveling across multiple time zones, disrupting the body’s internal clock and causing symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating until the body adjusts to the new time zone.
10. Shift Work Sleep Disorder: This disorder affects individuals who work non-traditional hours, such as night shifts or rotating shifts. It can lead to insomnia, excessive sleepiness during work hours, and difficulty maintaining a regular sleep schedule.

Consult a Sleep Specialists for Sleep Disorders

These are some of the most common sleeping disorders, and each may require different approaches to diagnosis and treatment. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you suspect you have a sleeping disorder or if your sleep quality is significantly affecting your daily life.

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates is committed to providing excellent care in all aspects of Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Disorders. With offices located in Lansdowne and Dulles/South Riding, we offer care for the entire Northern Virginia region, serving locations from Chantilly, Fairfax, Centreville, Manassas, Gainesville to Reston, Sterling, Leesburg, Ashburn, Brambleton, Purcellville and more.