Common Sleep Disorders and Their Symptoms

Getting 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep is essential for a healthy adult. Sleep disturbances can cause too little or excessive sleep, impacting overall well-being. Below are five prevalent sleep disorders:

Sleep Apnea: This condition disrupts normal breathing during sleep, often accompanied by loud snoring. It may cause brief awakenings that go unnoticed, leading to daytime fatigue. There are two main types:
a) Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Breathing pauses occur due to throat muscle relaxation blocking airways, common in overweight individuals or those with tonsillitis. It can strain the respiratory system.
b) Central Sleep Apnea: Brain signals that regulate breathing malfunction, leading to repeated pauses; it may be linked to heart issues or high altitude sleep.

Insomnia and Other Sleep-Related Conditions: This category includes various disorders affecting sleep patterns:
a) Insomnia: Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, often caused by stress, medical conditions, jet lag, or caffeine.
b) Hypersomnia: Excessive sleepiness during the day, making it hard to stay alert.
c) Parasomnias: Abnormal behaviors during sleep like nightmares, sleepwalking, night terrors, or bedwetting.

Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder resulting in uncontrollable daytime sleep episodes, known as sleep attacks, even during conversations or work.

Involuntary Limb Movements: Unintentional limb movements during sleep include:
a) Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Discomfort or sensations that cause an urge to move legs or arms.
b) Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD): Rhythmic jerking movements of limbs during sleep.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Lack of normal paralysis during REM sleep causes individuals to act out dreams physically.