Are you struggling to get your full 7 hours each night? Or maybe you are experiencing some unusual symptoms during your sleep?

You could have a sleep disorder.

Our guide covers the most common sleep disorders, as well as those you may not have heard of, and ways to combat fatigue.

What is a sleep disorder?

A sleep disorder is defined as experiencing problems with the quality, timing, and quantity of sleep, which can result in discomfort during the day and impede normal functioning.

Sleep disorders can be linked to both physical and mental health problems due to the constant disruption they can cause to our sleep.

Insomnia is considered the most common, affecting one in three people, but there are also other conditions such as sleepwalking, sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

However, there are also several lesser-known sleep disorders to consider, such as hypersomnia, sleeping beauty syndrome, and shift sleep disorder.

The 5 most common sleep disorders

Insomnia 

Possibly one of the best known sleep disorders; Insomnia refers to having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

This means you may have trouble falling asleep when you go to bed, or you may wake up during the night and have trouble going back to sleep.

Insomnia can have many symptoms, such as fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and depression and/or anxiety.

Some of the most common causes of insomnia are related to lifestyle and your sleep routine, for example, if you frequently experience jet lag; mental health conditions such as stress and anxiety; or if you have an ongoing medical condition.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Also known as 'nervous legs' or tired legs syndrome, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder of the nervous system that gives you the irresistible urge to move your lower extremities and feet.

This is especially common at bedtime, which can cause people to lose sleep or have interrupted sleep because of this.

In some cases, this can also affect the arms, chest and face.

Generally, RLS is more common in pregnant women, people who suffer from iron deficiency, those with a family history of RLS, and those with long-term health conditions that could affect sleep.

Treatment for restless legs syndrome is usually a combination of lifestyle changes and medication or supplements, but you should always talk to your doctor first.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes frequent interruptions in a person's breathing while they sleep.

This means that your breathing will stop and start again, sometimes several times, while you are asleep.

There are three different types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – This occurs when your breathing stops due to an obstruction that restricts airflow.
• Central sleep apnea – this occurs when the brain does not send the signal to inhale, causing you to miss one or more breaths.
• Mixed sleep apnea – this is a combination of the previous two. Learn more about sleep apnea, including treatment options and causes, in our detailed guide.

Narcolepsy

You may be familiar with narcolepsy because of its unfortunate symptoms of falling asleep at inappropriate times and places.

However, a medical definition of narcolepsy is that it is a neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles.

Narcolepsy can be not only inconvenient but also dangerous, as people who suffer from narcolepsy could be affected while they are eating, exercising, or even driving.

Although it usually develops in childhood, narcolepsy can affect anyone of any age or gender at any time in their life.

It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, cataplexy (the sudden loss of muscle tone, often triggered by intense emotions, such as laughter), and sleep paralysis.

12 other sleep disorders that can keep you awake

nocturnal enuresis

Most common in children under 4 years old, bedwetting tends to occur less frequently as the child gets older.

However, if this is experienced in older children, this can lead to emotional distress, such as anxiety and embarrassment.

grinding teeth

Medically called bruxism, teeth grinding can occur subconsciously during sleep.

Over time, this can cause tooth damage, jaw pain, and headaches.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Circadian rhythms regulate our body's sleep and wake patterns.

Irregularities with these rhythms can cause people to fall asleep and wake up at inconvenient times.

Hypersomnia

This term means excessive sleepiness. It is often seen as the opposite of insomnia. With insomnia, you have difficulty falling asleep, but with hypersomnia, you have difficulty staying awake.

Similar to narcolepsy, those with the condition typically fall asleep at any time and have trouble staying awake during the day.

sleeping beauty syndrome

Also known as Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS), this is a rare sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) and cognitive/mood changes.

In some cases, they spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping.

Typically more common in teenage boys, symptoms tend to come and go over long periods of time. However, it can make it extremely difficult to complete daily life, such as school or work.

Hypersomnia disorder

This refers to when someone is sleeping the recommended hours but still feels sleepy and not rested when they wake up.

Typically, this condition develops during late adolescence but may not be diagnosed until later in life.

Nightmare disorder

Nightmares are disturbing dreams that can immediately wake the sleeper.

Most common in children, they can be caused by a wide range of factors, including traumatic events and medications.

Nightmare disorder can occur when you start dreaming the same repetitive, distressing, and long nightmares that typically involve avoiding threats or dangers.

Night terrors

Typically affecting children between three and eight years old, night terrors often cause the sleeper to wake up screaming in panic.

Somnambulism

From walking to activities like driving, sleepwalking involves performing complex behaviors while asleep.

This usually happens at the beginning of your sleep, so around the first few hours after you fall asleep.

Periodic limb movement disorder (PEMD)

Occurring only during sleep, this disorder causes repetitive cramps or rhythmic movement of the legs.

This is similar to restless legs syndrome, but has significant differences.

Sleep disorder due to shift work

Affecting shift workers and people who work at night, this condition is characterized by difficulty staying awake or alert when you are supposed to be working.

Sleep paralysis

Typically occurring when you wake up, people with sleep paralysis are unable to move or speak for a few seconds or minutes before returning to normal.

Conclusion

Sleep disorders can cause both physical and emotional problems due to the disruption they cause to your sleep cycles.

The most common sleep disorders are insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea.

Some of the lesser-known sleep disorders include sleeping beauty syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and hypersomnia disorder.

If you think you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or think you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, contact your GP for professional medical advice and treatment options.

The advice in this article is informational only and should not replace medical care. Please consult your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Dietary supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

 

Sources

1. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/sleep-disorders/what-are-sleep-disorders
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/
3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/
4. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/narcolepsy-fact-sheet
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5461852