Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are medical conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns, often leading to significant daytime impairment and reduced quality of life. One of the most prevalent sleep disorders is insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Insomnia can be acute or chronic and is often linked to stress, anxiety, medical conditions, or poor sleep habits. Left untreated, it can contribute to fatigue, mood disturbances, and cognitive difficulties.

Another common category of sleep disorders includes sleep-related breathing disorders, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most widespread. OSA occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing. This results in fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen levels, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and daytime sleepiness. Diagnosis typically involves overnight sleep studies, and treatment options range from lifestyle changes to the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices.

Lastly, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders affect the timing of sleep, causing difficulties in aligning sleep patterns with the external environment. Examples include shift work disorder and delayed sleep phase syndrome, often seen in teenagers and young adults. These disorders can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and impaired functioning during waking hours. Management includes behavioral interventions, light therapy, and sometimes medications to help reset the internal body clock. Understanding and addressing these common sleep disorders is essential in sleep medicine to improve patients’ overall health and well-being.