Over 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Understanding these conditions is the first step toward better sleep. Here's a comprehensive overview of the most common sleep disorders.

Insomnia

The most common sleep disorder, insomnia affects about 30% of adults occasionally and 10% chronically.

Types

  • Acute insomnia: Short-term, often triggered by stress or life events
  • Chronic insomnia: Difficulty sleeping at least 3 nights per week for 3+ months
  • Onset insomnia: Trouble falling asleep
  • Maintenance insomnia: Trouble staying asleep

Symptoms

  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking frequently during the night
  • Waking too early and unable to return to sleep
  • Daytime fatigue and irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating

Treatment

  • CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia): The gold standard treatment, more effective than medications long-term
  • Sleep hygiene improvements: Consistent schedule, optimal environment
  • Medications: Short-term use of sleep aids when appropriate

Sleep Apnea

A serious disorder where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. Affects about 22 million Americans, with 80% of moderate to severe cases undiagnosed.

Types

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Most common; throat muscles relax and block airway
  • Central Sleep Apnea: Brain fails to signal breathing muscles
  • Complex Sleep Apnea: Combination of both

Symptoms

  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping or choking during sleep (often noticed by partner)
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mood changes, irritability
  • High blood pressure

Risk Factors

  • Excess weight
  • Neck circumference greater than 17 inches (men) or 16 inches (women)
  • Age (more common over 40)
  • Male gender (though women's risk increases after menopause)
  • Family history

Treatment

  • CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): Gold standard; machine delivers air pressure through mask
  • Oral appliances: Move jaw forward to keep airway open
  • Weight loss: Can significantly reduce or eliminate mild sleep apnea
  • Surgery: For specific anatomical causes
  • Positional therapy: Sleeping on side instead of back

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

An irresistible urge to move the legs, usually in the evening or at night. Affects about 10% of adults.

Symptoms

  • Uncomfortable sensations in legs (creeping, crawling, pulling, itching)
  • Urge to move legs that's worse when resting
  • Symptoms worse in evening/night
  • Relief with movement
  • Difficulty falling asleep

Causes

  • Genetic factors (runs in families)
  • Iron deficiency
  • Pregnancy
  • Certain medications
  • Kidney failure
  • Peripheral neuropathy

Treatment

  • Iron supplements (if iron levels are low)
  • Dopamine agonists
  • Gabapentin and pregabalin
  • Lifestyle changes (regular exercise, reducing caffeine and alcohol)
  • Massage, warm baths, heating pads

Narcolepsy

A neurological disorder affecting the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. Affects about 1 in 2,000 people.

Symptoms

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness: Overwhelming urge to sleep during the day
  • Cataplexy: Sudden muscle weakness triggered by emotions (in Type 1 narcolepsy)
  • Sleep paralysis: Temporary inability to move when falling asleep or waking
  • Hallucinations: Vivid, often frightening experiences when falling asleep or waking
  • Disrupted nighttime sleep: Frequent awakenings

Treatment

  • Stimulant medications (modafinil, amphetamines)
  • Sodium oxybate (for cataplexy and nighttime sleep)
  • Scheduled naps
  • Lifestyle adjustments

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Misalignment between internal sleep clock and the external environment.

Types

  • Delayed Sleep Phase: Fall asleep and wake very late (common in teens and young adults)
  • Advanced Sleep Phase: Fall asleep and wake very early (more common in older adults)
  • Shift Work Disorder: Difficulty sleeping due to work schedules
  • Jet Lag: Temporary misalignment from crossing time zones
  • Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder: Sleep cycle shifts progressively later each day

Treatment

  • Light therapy (bright light at specific times)
  • Melatonin supplementation
  • Chronotherapy (gradually shifting sleep schedule)
  • Maintaining consistent schedules

Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviors during sleep.

Types

  • Sleepwalking: Walking or performing complex behaviors while asleep
  • Night terrors: Episodes of intense fear, screaming, thrashing during sleep
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Acting out dreams due to lack of normal muscle paralysis during REM
  • Sleep eating: Eating while partially asleep
  • Confusional arousals: Waking confused and disoriented

Treatment

  • Safety measures (securing the environment)
  • Addressing triggers (stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol)
  • Medications when necessary

When to See a Doctor

Consult a healthcare provider or sleep specialist if you experience:

  • Chronic difficulty sleeping despite good sleep habits
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness that affects daily life
  • Loud snoring, gasping, or breathing pauses during sleep
  • Unusual behaviors during sleep
  • Symptoms that persist for more than 2-3 weeks

Diagnosis

Sleep disorders are typically diagnosed through:

  • Sleep diary: Tracking sleep patterns for 1-2 weeks
  • Sleep study (polysomnography): Overnight monitoring in a sleep lab
  • Home sleep test: Portable device to detect sleep apnea
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test: Measures how quickly you fall asleep during the day (for narcolepsy)
  • Actigraphy: Wearable device tracking movement and sleep-wake patterns

Evaluate Your Sleep Quality

Take our Sleep Quality Test to assess your current sleep and determine if you might benefit from professional evaluation.