Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders range from the bothersome to the serious. Insomnia (problems falling or staying asleep) are making 15% of the population miserable. And, 30% of people will experience short-term insomnia at some point in their lives.

Sleep apnea and snoring are a related and common disorder that can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and may cause a significantly greater mortality risk if untreated. Snoring can be irritating, but can also be a sign of sleep apnea, a more serious disorder where one actually stops breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea affects up to 20% of middle-aged men and 10% of all age groups. The American Sleep Apnea Association has additional statistics and information about sleep apnea. Sleep apnea and snoring can be treated surgically and non-surgically.

Restless Legs and Periodic Limb Movements are very common, affecting between 15% and 50% of the population, increasing with age. These conditions may lead to difficulty falling asleep or sleepiness due to disrupted sleep.

Narcolepsy is an inherited neurological disorder that often causes uncontrollable sleep attacks. These may occur while driving, at work or during normal daytime activities. Onset usually occurs during the teenage years and early adulthood.

Abnormal sleep behaviors are called parasomnias. Two common examples of parasomnias are sleep-walking and bad dreams. Less common parasomnias are nocturnal seizures and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. Parasomnias are evaluated when there is a suspicion of an underlying medical condition or if the activity is potentially injurious to the patient or others.