Sleep Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

According to the CDC, approximately 70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder.

The CDC also reports that one-third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep on a consistent basis. Whilst some of this can be attributed to bad sleeping habits, many Americans may be living with an undiagnosed sleeping disorder.  

With that being said, Sharon Brandwein at Amerisleep have revealed the five most common sleep disorders in the US, as well as symptoms and causes. 

1. 1. Insomnia 

Insomnia is a sleep disorder where people have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The disorder can also present itself as early morning waking without the ability to fall back asleep. Acute insomnia (which we all deal with occasionally) is a spell of insomnia that lasts anywhere from one night to a few weeks. 

Sleepless nights, however, cross the line into chronic insomnia when the issue occurs at least three nights a week and persists for three months or more. 

Common Symptoms:  

• Insomnia is diagnosed based on some of the following symptoms by patients: 
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep 
• Early waking 
• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness 
• Poor focus

2. 2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea 

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods of time while you sleep. Alarmingly, sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times each night. If left untreated, the confidtion can lead to hypertension, stroke, diabetes, or even a heart attack.

While obstructive sleep apnea is primarily thought of as a condition older adults experience, it can show up in younger individuals.  

Common Symptoms:

• Snoring 
• Daytime tiredness or fatigue 
• Restless sleep 
• Frequent waking 
• Cognitive impairment 
• Irritability

3. 3. Narcolepsy 

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden episodes of deep sleep (often at inappropriate times) and excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy usually makes its appearance in childhood or young adulthood and is thought to be caused by a lack of a brain chemical called hypocretin (orexin). 

While there is no cure for this sleep disorder, you can work with your doctor to manage the symptoms and minimize the impact of narcolepsy on your daily life. 

Common Symptoms: 

• Persistent and excessive daytime sleepiness 
• Cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone or sudden muscle weakness brought on by a strong emotional trigger) 
• Sleep paralysis 
• Hallucinations

4. 4. Parasomnia

Parasomnia is an umbrella term that refers to a group of unusual behaviours people experience either before they fall asleep, while they’re sleeping, or as they’re waking from sleep. 

Common types of parasomnia include sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep parlaysis, sleep talking and REM sleep behaviour disorder. 

Common Symptoms: 

• Drowsiness 
• Disorientation 
• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness 
• Poor focus 

5. 5. Restless Leg Syndrome 

Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, restless leg syndrome is a movement disorder characterised by an overwhelming urge to move your legs when you are resting.  

Those who suffer from RLS tend to feel an uncomfortable sensation in their legs and while moving about seems to relieve the discomfort, the effects are often just temporary. 
 

Common Symptoms: 

• A creeping or crawling sensation in the feet, legs, and thighs 
• An irresistible urge to move 
• Tossing and turning 
• Symptoms worsen at night

How Are Sleep Disorders Diagnosed? 

Sleep disorders can be diagnosed in a number of ways. Like any other medical issue, the diagnosis of a sleep disorder begins with a visit to your doctor and a physical exam. If your issues and concerns are beyond their capabilities, then they should be able to offer some advice (or a referral) for the next steps. 

A physical exam may take place – Your doctor might be able to help you manage chronic pain or the acid reflux that’s keeping you up at night. Additionally, they can review your medications to determine if that’s the culprit and adjust your dosage or make a switch if need be. 

You may be asked to keep a sleep diary. Usually recorded over a one to two-week period, a sleep diary requires you to log how many hours per night, how often you wake up, how you feel upon waking, etc. 

You could also be given a polysomnogram. This is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Typically conducted in a hospital or sleep center, polysomnography monitors and records your heart rate, breathing, brain waves, and eye and leg movements while you sleep. This comprehensive test can not only help diagnose a potential sleep disorder, but it can also help doctors create a solid treatment plan for you. 
 

How are sleep disorders treated? 

Just as the symptoms differ between specific sleep disorders, so too do the treatments.  

Some lifestyle changes may help your disorder. If your sleep disorder is not caused by a more serious medical condition, lifestyle changes can be a helpful way to get your sleep back in line. This approach can be as easy as making a few changes to your diet and exercise plan, or it could require something more challenging like effective stress management. 

In some cases, your treatment plan may require a few changes to your bedtime routine. These changes can include managing ambient noise and light in your bedroom, limiting screen time before bed and avoiding caffeine in the evening and large meals before bed.

Counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy is another treatment often recommended for the treatment of sleep disorders. This type of therapy can be done individually, in a group setting,  or even online. The length of your treatment will ultimately depend on the type of sleeping disorder you’re dealing with and the severity of the condition. 

Source: https://amerisleep.com/