What are Sleep Disorders?
Sleep disorders involve conditions that disrupt the quality, timing and duration of sleep. This results in excessive daytime fatigue and impairments in work, school, mood, concentration and health. Sleep disorders affect people of all ages and have a variety of causes.
Common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and circadian rhythm disorders. Treatment involves both medical and behavioural therapies to improve sleep issues and address any underlying conditions causing them.
Types of sleep disorders
Some of the most prevalent sleep disorders include
Insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep. Chronic insomnia impairs
daytime function.
Sleep Apnea
Interruptions in breathing during sleep due to airway blockage.
Results in loud snoring and frequent awakening.
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness and falling asleep spontaneously,
often triggered by strong emotions.
Restless legs syndrome
Urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations.
Worsens at night and affects sleep.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Misalignment between the
internal body clock and external environment, disrupting the sleep-wake cycle. Examples are jet lag and shift work disorder.
Parasomnias
Abnormal movements, behaviours, emotions, perceptions and
dreams during sleep. Examples are sleepwalking, nightmares and sleep-eating.
Sleep-Related Movement Disorders
Muscle spasms or jerking of
limbs during sleep, like periodic limb movement disorder.
Treatments for sleep disorders
Treatments for sleep disorders aim to improve sleep quality and quantity through both medical and behavioural approaches. These include:
Sleep Hygiene Education
Recommendations on lifestyle habits that promote healthy
sleep, like bedroom environment, exercise and diet.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Addresses thoughts or
behaviours that interfere with sleep.
Light Therapy
Exposure to bright light at strategic times to
reset circadian rhythms.
Medications
Drugs that affect sleep-wake cycles, like sleep aids,
stimulants and melatonin.
Positive Airway Pressure
Uses devices like CPAP to keep airways open during sleep apnea.
Oral Devices
Mouth guards adjust jaw position to maintain airway patency.
Surgery
For structural problems causing airway obstruction or
paralysis disorders affecting breathing.
Ongoing communication with doctors helps determine optimal, personalized treatment plans. Support groups can also help people better manage their sleep disorders. Getting sufficient sleep is vital for overall health and well-being.