Sleep problems are common, but persistent or severe symptoms may indicate a sleep disorder. These conditions can affect the ability to fall asleep, remain asleep, breathe normally during the night, or stay awake during the day. Poor sleep can also affect concentration, mood, energy, and daily functioning.
The symptoms of different disorders can overlap, so a healthcare professional can help identify the underlying problem. The following are four common types of sleep disorders.
Insomnia
Insomnia involves ongoing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or returning to sleep after waking too early. A person may also feel that sleep is not restorative, even when they have had enough opportunity to rest.
Short-term, or acute, insomnia may occur for several days or weeks in response to stress, a change in routine, an unfamiliar sleep environment, or a temporary health problem. Chronic insomnia lasts for at least three months and may be associated with health conditions, medicines, lifestyle factors, or persistent stress.
Common symptoms
- Taking a long time to fall asleep
- Waking repeatedly during the night
- Waking too early and being unable to return to sleep
- Daytime tiredness, irritability, or difficulty concentrating
Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, which addresses habits and thoughts that interfere with sleep. A consistent sleep schedule, a comfortable sleep environment, and limiting caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime may also help. Sleep medicines may be considered by a clinician, generally with attention to their risks and appropriate duration of use.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can fragment sleep and reduce its restorative quality, even when the person does not remember waking.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. Loud snoring is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea, although snoring alone does not establish a diagnosis.
Possible signs
- Loud snoring or gasping during sleep
- Breathing pauses observed by a bed partner
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches or waking with a dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling unrested
Evaluation may involve a healthcare assessment and sleep testing. Treatment can include positive airway pressure, such as CPAP, along with measures recommended for the individual’s situation. Avoiding alcohol, changing sleep position, and other lifestyle adjustments may help some people with obstructive sleep apnea. In selected cases, dental devices or surgery may be considered.
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, creates an uncomfortable urge to move the legs. The sensations may be described as tingling, crawling, aching, or pulling. They usually become more noticeable during rest and in the evening or at night, making it difficult to fall asleep or remain asleep.
RLS may occur alongside pregnancy, iron deficiency, kidney disease, diabetes, or other health conditions. Its precise cause is not always clear. A clinician may review symptoms, medicines, and health history and may check for contributing factors such as low iron.
Management may include treating an underlying deficiency or condition, regular moderate exercise, warm baths, and leg massage. Medicines may be prescribed when symptoms are persistent or severe. Supplements should be used only when a healthcare professional has identified a reason for them.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder that affects the brain’s regulation of sleep and wakefulness. Its main feature is excessive daytime sleepiness, sometimes accompanied by sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep.
Some people experience cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control while awake, often associated with strong emotions. Other symptoms can include sleep paralysis and vivid experiences when falling asleep or waking. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is commonly described as type 1, while type 2 involves excessive daytime sleepiness without cataplexy.
Treatment may include prescribed medicines, a regular sleep schedule, planned short naps, and other strategies tailored to the person’s symptoms. Sudden sleep episodes can create safety concerns, so anyone experiencing uncontrollable daytime sleepiness should discuss activity and driving safety with a healthcare professional.
When to seek help
Consider seeking medical advice when sleep problems persist, interfere with work or daily activities, or cause significant daytime sleepiness. Snoring with witnessed breathing pauses, repeated nighttime gasping, or sudden sleep episodes also deserves evaluation. A proper diagnosis helps determine whether behavioral treatment, sleep testing, medication, a device, or another approach is appropriate.
