What are sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns, affecting the quality and duration of sleep. There are many types of sleep disorders, and insomnia tends to be the most common.
Sleep disorders can be caused by anxiety, allergies, respiratory problems, chronic pain, stress, poor sleep hygiene, and hormonal imbalances.
What are the common symptoms of sleep disorders?
- Feeling sleepy during the day or falling asleep at unusual times
- Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive sleep, or reduced quality of sleep
- Feeling the need to move while trying to fall asleep or having uncomfortable movements during sleep
How are sleep disorders diagnosed?
Sleep disorders are diagnosed through a combination of self-reporting and professional evaluations.
Primary care physicians are often the main point of contact for individuals with a sleep disorder. However, you may seek help from a mental health clinician, like a psychiatrist, therapist, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, who specializes in mental health.
During evaluations and the diagnosis period for a sleep disorder, a clinician may ask you to keep a sleep diary for a week or two, noting sleep and wake times and any other disturbances. Your clinician may ask you to complete a polysomnography or a sleep study to monitor brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, and eye and leg movements during sleep. Other tests to diagnose sleep disorders can include home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) and an actigraphy test, a wrist-worn device that tracks sleep and activity levels over time.
Open and honest communication with your physician or clinician is essential for an accurate diagnosis. Discussing your symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness and frequent sleep disturbances, can help your clinician understand the severity and nature of the condition.
What are the types of sleep disorders?
- Insomnia can be acute or chronic and causes trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early.
- Sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is caused by throat muscles relaxing excessively.
- Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. This condition may include cataplexy, sudden loss of muscle tone, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. These symptoms typically worsen in the evening or before bedtime.
- Circadian rhythm disorders disrupt the body’s internal clock, affecting sleep-wake cycles. People who work overnight shifts, travel between time zones, and experience jet lag often experience a circadian rhythm disorder.
- Parasomnia is abnormal behavior during sleep, including sleepwalking, night terrors, or REM sleep behavior disorder, such as acting out dreams.
- Hypersomnia is excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate nighttime sleep. It can include conditions like idiopathic hypersomnia or recurrent hypersomnia.
- Sleep-related movement disorders, like periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), cause involuntary movements during sleep and disrupt the quality of sleep.
What are common treatments for sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are treatable, and early intervention can significantly improve symptoms. Common treatments include:
- Medication may be considered for acute to chronic sleep disorders. Over-the-counter prescriptions may be used for short-term symptom relief. Prescription medications are tailored for conditions like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and RLS.
- Therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), is a structured program that helps identify and change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to insomnia. It may be more effective than medication for chronic insomnia.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a machine that delivers a steady stream of air to keep the airways open during sleep. A physician may provide a prescription to purchase a CPAP machine.
