What Are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Whether they are caused by a health problem or by too much stress, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common in the United States.

In fact, more than one-third of adultsTrusted Source in the United States report getting fewer than 7 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. More than 70 percentTrusted Source of high school students report getting fewer than 8 hours of sleep on weeknights.

Most people occasionally experience sleeping problems due to stress, hectic schedules, and other outside influences. However, when these issues begin to occur on a regular basis and interfere with daily life, they may indicate a sleeping disorder.

Types of Sleeping Disorder & Problem

There are many different types of sleeping disorder and problem. Some may be caused by other underlying health conditions.

Isomnia
People who have insomnia don’t feel as if they get enough sleep at night. They may have trouble falling asleep or may ,wake up frequently during the night or early in the morning. Insomnia has many possible causes, including stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, circadian rhythm disorders, and taking certain medications
Snoring
Many adults snore. The noise is produced when the air you inhale rattles over the relaxed tissues of the throat. Snoring can be a problem simply because of the noise it causes. It may also be a marker of a more serious sleep problem called sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes completely or partially blocked, interrupting regular breathing for short periods of time — which then wakes you up. It can cause severe daytime sleepiness.

Narcolepsy
The cause of narcolepsy is not clear. Genetic and environmental factors likely play a role, although the data on genetic factors is still speculative and not well studied. There are some rare nerve disorders that may be linked to narcolepsy.
Restless legs Syndrome
There are many possible causes of restless legs syndrome, including Kidney failure, nerve disorders, vitamin and iron deficiencies, pregnancy, and some medications . Recent studies have shown a strong genetic link and researchers have been able to isolate a gene that may be responsible for at least 40% of all cases of the disorder.
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Nightmares can be triggered by  frightening or stressful event,  or use of some medications or alcohol. Night terrors are most common in pre-school children, but they also can affect adults who are , experiencing emotional or psychological problems.
Pregnancy and Sleep
Women often experience sleepless nights, and daytime fatigue in the first and third trimesters of their pregnancy. During the first trimester, frequent trips to the bathroom and morning sickness may disrupt sleep. After delivery, the new baby’s care or the mother’s postpartum depression may interrupt sleep.

What are the symptoms of sleep disorders?

Symptoms differ depending on the severity and type of sleep disorder. They may also vary when sleep disorders are a result of another condition.

However, general symptoms of sleeping disorders and problem  include:

• difficulty falling or staying asleep
• daytime fatigue
• strong urge to take naps during the day
• unusual breathing patterns
• unusual or unpleasant urges to move while falling asleep
• unusual movement or other experiences while asleep
• unintentional changes to your sleep/wake schedule
• irritability or anxiety
• impaired performance at work or school
• lack of concentration
• depression