Sleep disorders are conditions that change the way you sleep. If you have a sleep disorder, you may not get enough sleep or you may not feel rested when you wake up. You may be very sleepy during the daytime. You may have changes in breathing or move around a lot during sleep. Or you may have problems getting to sleep, staying asleep or waking too early.
A sleep disorder can affect your overall health, safety and quality of life. Not getting a good night's sleep can affect your ability to drive or work safely. It also can raise your risk of other health problems. But treatment can help you get the sleep you need.
Symptoms of common sleep disorders include:
Anyone can have an occasional poor night's sleep. But talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional if you regularly have trouble getting enough sleep, if you don't feel rested when you wake up or if you feel overly sleepy during the day.
There are many different types of sleep disorders, and the causes vary widely. Sleep disorders are often grouped according to why they happen or their effects. Sleep disorders also can be grouped based on behaviors, problems with your natural sleep-wake cycles, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping or how sleepy you feel during the day.
Sometimes the exact cause is not known, but several factors can increase the risk of having a sleep disorder.
These issues can raise the risk of sleep disorders:
Untreated sleep disorders are linked with serious complications. These can include a higher risk or worsening of medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Sleep disorders also can affect mental health. And ongoing insomnia can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Sleep disorders can affect your quality of life. Excessive daytime sleepiness can make it hard to focus and pay attention. This can impact driving safety, workplace errors and how well you do in school.
Sleep disorders affect your quality of life. They can disrupt your thinking, school or work performance, mental health and physical health. Common sleep disorders prevent you from getting the restful, deep sleep you need to function at your best. If you’re struggling with your sleep, don’t hesitate to see a healthcare provider. Your health and, therefore, quality of life depends on good sleep. Practice good sleep hygiene and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to feel better sooner.