Common Sleep Disorders
Sleep is an integral part of human existence. We spend a third of our lives
sleeping. Sleep influences our physical, psychological and social well being.
About 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disturbance which may be
comprised of a broad range of problems. Many sleep disorders cause an increase
in daytime sleepiness and an increase in road traffic accidents. Through
clinical research, it has been found that there are more than 80 sleeping
disorders. Some of the most common sleep disorders are listed below.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most serious
sleep disorder, is a periodic obstruction of the upper airway during sleep and has
a prevalence rate of three to eight percent. Periods of apnea can last up to 90
seconds and may occur several hundred times per night. OSA is the most common
medical cause of excessive daytime sleepiness and is more common in men.
Symptoms of OSA are listed below.
Loud, habitual snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep
Daytime sleepiness
Irritability/Personality changes
Obesity
Choking/Gasping/snorts during sleep
Hypertension
Non-refreshing sleep/inability to wake up
Daytime fatigue
Memory and concentration problems
Morning headaches
Upper airway abnormalities
Frequent napping
Nocturnal Angina/Arrhythmias
Frequent awakenings
Narcolepsy
Classical symptoms include:
Excessive sleepiness
Cataplexy (physical weakness with emotion)
Hypnologic hallucinations
Sleep paralysis (occurs upon waking)
Automatic behavior
Low concentration
Occupational/School problems
Periodic Limb Movements (PLM) are characterized by
rhythmic jerking of the feet or legs. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
is described as a “creeping, crawling” sensation that creates an urge to move
the legs. Patients with PLM or RLS often complain of the following symptoms.
“Creepy” or “jumpy” legs
Unpleasant sensation during sleep
Insomnia/Non-refreshing sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Increased activity
Restless sleep
Insomnia, in its chronic form, affects
approximately nine percent of the population. It can last for weeks, months, or
even years and may be related to the following:
Worry, anxiety or stress
Psychiatric disorders
Primary sleep disorders
Substance abuse
Medical problems
Behavioral/Conditional factors
Parasomnia refers to a wide variety of disruptive,
sleep-related events or “disorders of arousal.” These arousal disorders include:
Sleep Walking
Sleep terrors (pavor nocturnes)
Nightmares
Partial seizures
Violent behavior during sleep
REM behavior disorder (acting out dreams)