Some 50 to 70 million Americans have ongoing sleep disorders — and while each sleep disorder is unique, many share similar symptoms and treatment options. Some of the most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy and sleep-related movement disorders.
Only a qualified healthcare provider can properly diagnose a sleep disorder. Speak to your clinician if you’re experiencing symptoms of poor sleep, including difficulty falling asleep or maintaining that sleep. It’s important to properly understand the potential causes, and types, of sleep disorders. This helps you seek appropriate medical attention and develop a better grasp of your symptoms.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that often makes it more difficult to get a full night of quality sleep. It will cause irritability during the day and serious challenges getting to sleep at night.
Anxiety and depression have long been known to cause insomnia. Certain medications can also induce insomnia. It’s sometimes the result of sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
Treatments for insomnia will vary, depending on the cause and the severity of your symptoms. Lifestyle changes like reducing your caffeine intake, doing yoga and following a sleep schedule can sometimes reduce symptoms or their severity. Others find success in online programs or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when muscles in the back of your throat cannot open all the way during sleep. This compromised airway will interrupt your breathing patterns. These pauses can last a few seconds or entire minutes.
Two main types of sleep apnea can compromise sleep quality. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when relaxed throat muscles, or throat tissue buildup, block the throat. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common, and occurs when your breathing cadence starts, stops and starts again during sleep.
Treatment for sleep apnea takes several forms:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): A machine that provides pressurized air, typically through a mask, to keep airways open during sleep.
- Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, avoiding alcohol and protecting oral health can all help to limit the effects of sleep apnea.
- Oral appliances: Custom-fitted devices reposition the jaw, and hold the tongue in one place, to create a clear airway.
In more serious cases of sleep apnea, surgery can help remove excess tissue in the throat. Other forms of surgery reposition the jaw to create an unobstructed airway.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, where the lack of hypocretin can cause drowsiness during inappropriate daytime conditions (also known as “daytime fatigue”). You may also suffer from sudden episodes of falling asleep during unsuitable daytime moments.
Many experts believe narcolepsy is the result of genetic and environmental factors. Studies have found that people with narcolepsy have a deficiency in hypocretin, a neurotransmitter that should help regulate sleep cycles.
Several treatments available for narcolepsy have shown positive results in helping patients limit symptoms. Stimulant medications can improve your alertness during daytime hours and reduce the probability of a sleep episode. Providers may also prescribe antidepressants to limit narcolepsy symptoms.
Sleep-related movement disorders
Sleep-related movement disorders refer to several neurological conditions that cause involuntary movements or sensations while you sleep.
Here a few common forms of sleep-related movement disorders:
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS): A neurological condition that compels people, typically in the evenings, to move their legs or feet. This urge is typically followed or accompanied by feelings of tingling, burning or itching.
- Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): When the legs or arms move involuntarily during sleep. This can fragment sleep hours, particularly as limb movements can last several seconds or several minutes.
- Bruxism: A condition where people grind or clench their teeth while asleep. It can lead to jaw pain, headaches even tooth damage that dentists must address. It can also reduce daytime energy and disrupt nighttime sleep patterns.
- Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-behavior disorder: A condition where a person acts out their dreams during REM sleep. This can cause them to move, yell or shift their limbs, potentially leading to injury to themselves or others.
Sleep-related movement disorders can compromise sleep health and lead to daytime drowsiness and other associated symptoms.
Parasomnias
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that involve unusual behaviors and emotions during sleep.
Here are some key types of parasomnias:
- Sleepwalking: A condition where someone will get out of bed, walk around and perform simple actions without waking up.
- Nightmares: Intense, intimidating dreams that occur during REM sleep and scare sleepers; oftentimes emotional distress will cause the sleeper to wake.
- Night terrors: A sudden awakening during sleep, accompanied by intense fear. People also experience physical symptoms like a rapid heart rate, sweating and screaming.
Other types of parasomnias include sleep talking, sleep paralysis and confusional arousals.
Circadian rhythm disorders
Circadian rhythm disorders disrupt the body’s internal clock, throwing off the typical 24-hour cycle.
Here are some common types of circadian rhythm disorders:
- Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder: A condition where the sleep-wake cycle shifts later than a 24-day cycle. This leads to difficulty falling asleep at a conventional bedtime and difficulty waking up the next morning.
- Advanced sleep-wake phase disorder: A condition where the sleep-wake cycle shifts earlier than the normal day cycle. This leads people to go to bed and wake earlier than they otherwise would.
- Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder: A condition where a person’s sleep-wake cycle isn’t synchronized with light and dark periods of the day. It can lead to gradual shifts in sleep timing and quality.
- Shift work disorder: A condition where a person’s work schedule requires them to be awake and alert outside of their natural sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to sleep disturbance, fatigue, and other associated symptoms.
Treatment for circadian rhythm disorders can include light therapy or melatonin supplements.
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness or fatigue outside of sleep hours. It is sometimes indicative of another underlying sleep disorder. In other cases, it can be a condition on its own. This is called idiopathic hypersomnia, a disorder of excessive sleepiness without any other conditions.
EDS can also be a symptom of conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic pain and thyroid disorders.
Solutions for sleep disorders
A medical professional may prescribe a combination of medication, treatment or therapy to help you address your sleep disorder.
Obtaining a sleep disorder diagnosis can sometimes require patience and persistence. Here are a few tips:
- See a sleep doctor: Sleep doctors are trained to diagnose sleep disorders and provide relief for symptoms. They can help you identify your condition and recommend treatment options.
- Participate in a sleep study: A sleep study tests several sleep metrics to help you identify your condition. It often involves spending a night in a sleep center or wearing a device that records brain waves, muscle activity and other movements.
- Keep a sleep diary: Record information like the time you go to bed and wake up, your diet, and how long it takes you to fall asleep.
A consistent bedtime routine can also limit the effects of a sleep disorder. Steps might include reading a few pages of a book, turning off lights, laying out clothes for tomorrow or meditating. Avoid using electronics before bed, as emitted blue light can interfere with sleep hormones.