Types of Sleep Disorders
What are sleep disorders?
A sleep disorder is defined as a change in the way that you sleep that has a negative effect on your sleep quality and overall health. These changes can include irregular breathing, excessive sleepiness, inability to fall asleep, constant awakenings during the night, or increased movement during sleep, among others. There are a wide variety of possible sleep disorders.
The quality and quantity of sleep that you get plays an important role in maintaining overall health. A good night’s sleep is necessary for your body to maintain proper hormone levels, manage your weight, regulate emotions, and more. When a sleep disorder is present, it can have far-reaching side effects that impact many aspects of your overall wellness and happiness. Because of this, it is important to consult a physician if a sleep disorder is suspected.
What are some common sleep disorders?
There are many types of sleep disorders that can affect people of any age. Some of the most common sleep disorders include the following:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing-related sleep disorder that occurs when obstructions in the airway cause a person to experience lapses in breathing during the night.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects a person’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia can be chronic or acute.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that results in excessive daytime sleepiness and episodes of falling asleep suddenly. Narcolepsy can occur with or without muscle weakness (known as cataplexy), which is triggered by strong emotion.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological sleep disorder that causes a twitching or strong urge to move the legs while a person is lying or sitting down.
Parasomnias
Parasomnias are a category of sleep disorders characterized by abnormal behaviors that occur during sleep. These behaviors may include abnormal movements and atypical behaviors. Types of parasomnias include sleepwalking (somnambulism), REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and night terrors.
What are common sleep disorder symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of a sleep disorder will vary greatly depending on the specific disorder you are suffering from. If you suspect that any of your symptoms may indicate an underlying sleep disorder, it is important to consult a sleep specialist at eos sleep diagnostics to determine your specific condition.
Signs and symptoms of sleep disorders may include:
- Snoring
- Gasps or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Grogginess (even after a substantial amount of sleep)
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory loss or fuzziness
- Waking up with a headache, sore throat or dry mouth
How are sleep disorders diagnosed?
Our board-certified physicians can conduct a comprehensive home sleep study to accurately diagnose your sleep disorder and determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will explain the next steps for possible treatment options to help you achieve better sleep and a better quality of life. For patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and snoring who are unable to use or remain compliant with CPAP therapy, you may be a candidate for various CPAP alternatives.
If you’re suffering from symptoms of any sleep disorders, the first step to feeling better is getting a sleep study performed to accurately diagnose your condition. To schedule a sleep study at eos sleep diagnostics, call 212.873.6036 or fill out the form on this page to request an appointment with one of our sleep specialists.