What is a Sleep Disorder?
A sleep disorder is identified by excessive sleepiness, difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep or any unusual sleep behavior. Sleep should revitalize us each day. When we go without sleep or experience unusual activity while sleeping (such as sleepwalking or nightmares), we do not function well and may become more vulnerable to illness. Likewise, when we sleep too much or fall asleep at inappropriate times, our lives are disrupted.
The following describes some common types of sleep disorders:
Insomnia — This sleep disorder includes difficulty staying asleep as well as awakening before you are fully rested.
Parasomnia — Sleepwalking, talking in your sleep, teeth grinding, nightmares, bed-wetting and other abnormal or unusual nocturnal behaviors are examples of parasomnia. This condition is characterized by abnormal sleep behavior at any age.
Sleep apnea and snoring — Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing actually stops during sleep, sometimes up to 500 times a night. Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or heart failure. Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea. Daytime sleepiness also is a major symptom.
Narcolepsy — This disorder is characterized by daytime sleepiness.
Abnormal sleep and wake rhythm — Disruptions in normal sleep/wake patterns are typically triggered by daily activities that lead to changes in sleep times. Shift work or jet lag are common causes.