Sleep Disorders Overview
Insomnia
Insomnia is defined as difficulty in falling or staying asleep, and is experienced to a moderate degree by more than a third of American adults. One in ten Americans experiences chronic insomnia, which typically requires some treatment for improvement. Learn more about insomnia.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that impacts the control of sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy experience excessive sleepiness that includes uncontrollable instances of suddenly falling asleep. These episodes can happen during any activity at any time of the day. The cause of narcolepsy is unknown, however, progress has been made toward identifying genes which are strongly associated with the disorder. Learn more about narcolepsy.
Nocturnal seizures
Nocturnal, or sleep-related seizures, cause abnormal movement or behavior while sleeping. Activity ranges from awakening from sleep for no clear reason, to violent arm and leg movement, tongue-biting, and urination. Nocturnal seizures frequently occur in people who experience epileptic seizures during the day, but may also occur only at night. Learn more about nocturnal seizures.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted while sleeping. For people with untreated sleep apnea, breathing interruptions can range from five to more than 100 times per hour. These interruptions are caused by a brief (10-20 second) blocking of the upper airway. This occurs when the short tissues at the back of the throat collapse during sleep. Learn more about obstructive sleep apnea.
Periodic limb movements
Periodic limb movements (PLM) are occurrences of simple, repetitive, and uncontrollable muscle movements. They do not typically interfere with falling asleep, but seriously disrupt sleep during the night, which causes daytime fatigue. Movements do not involve a change in body position, stretching a muscle, or a cramp, but tend to involve muscle tightening or flexing in the lower legs. PLM can occur during the day, however it is much more common during the night. Learn more about periodic limb movements.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition characterized by a strong urge to move the legs which is difficult to resist. This need for movement is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations that are difficult to describe, but may be like burning, prickling, itching, or tingling. Symptoms begin or worsen while resting, and lying down or sitting can be uncomfortable. Temporary relief occurs when the legs are moved. Learn more about restless legs syndrome.
Sleepwalking (somnambulism)
Sleepwalking occurs when a person gets up from bed and walks around despite being still asleep. Sleepwalking can also include sitting up in bed, speaking or shouting, and looking around in a confused manner. People who sleepwalk can be very difficult to wake up, and are often confused when awoken, having little to no memory of the event. Learn more about sleepwalking.