When most people think of sleeping disorders, they imagine people sleepwalking aimlessly around their homes in the middle of the night. While conditions like this exist, there are also plenty of sleeping disorders that often go undiagnosed.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 70 million people in the United States live with a sleeping disorder. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of sleeping disorders. You can learn more about the signs and symptoms of these conditions.
Sleep Apnea
One of the most common types of sleeping disorders is sleep apnea. There are three different types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Central sleep apnea
- Mixed sleep apnea
People with obstructive sleep apnea unconsciously block their airways with their tongue muscles at night, impairing their ability to breathe.
Those with central sleep apnea struggle to breathe while sleeping because their brain stops sending signals to continue respiration in their bodies. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of these two conditions.
Symptoms and Treatment
People with sleep apnea often experience common symptoms, such as gasping for air during sleep, loud snoring, headaches, difficulty staying asleep, and a dry morning mouth.
Luckily, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and CPAP prescriptions help improve breathing during sleep and reduce these symptoms. If you think you may experience sleep apnea, speak with your doctor.
Restless Legs Syndrome
People with restless legs syndrome experience an uncontrollable urge to move their legs during sleep. These urges can often occur whenever the body is resting in a sitting or supine position for a prolonged period.
Symptoms and Treatment
Since the body keeps moving, people with restless legs syndrome often have severe difficulties falling or staying asleep. However, patients can manage this condition through a combination of dietary restrictions and prescribed medications. Talk with your doctor if you think you may experience restless legs syndrome.
Insomnia
Insomnia is another common sleeping disorder that people experience. People with insomnia have severe difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 50 percent of adults experience occasional insomnia, and 10 percent have chronic insomnia.
Symptoms and Treatment
Insomnia can develop because of daily stress, anxiety, depression, or general discomfort. Patients can reduce the symptoms of this sleeping disorder by consulting their doctors about medications and lifestyle changes.
Sleep disorders are highly common but also highly treatable. If you think you may experience any of these conditions, seek your doctor’s help to figure out how you can regain a full night of sleep.
