While many suffer from insomnia, it is not the only cause of sleepless nights, and it is very important for those who have trouble sleeping to get to the root of their problem. Here are some other common sleep disorders.
Insomnia
You have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Then, once you wake up, you still feel tired, as if you didn’t get any sleep at all.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines obstructive sleep apnea as ‘a condition in which the flow of air pauses or decreases during breathing while you are asleep, because the airway has become narrowed or blocked.’ It is mainly characterized by snoring soon after you fall asleep, which gets louder and is then interrupted by a long, silent period wherein you don’t breathe. It is then followed by a snort or a gasp, as you attempt to breathe again.
RLS
RLS is a disorder wherein you feel an urge to move your legs in order to stop unpleasant sensations. It usually occurs at night when lying down.
PLMD
PLMD makes you do rhythmic movement of the limbs while you sleep. It usually involves the legs, but arm movements can sometimes occur as well. This can last for a few minutes up to several hours.
Narcolepsy
Put simply, narcolepsy causes excessive sleepiness wherein you fall asleep many times during the day. Its symptoms include sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and cataplexy or loss of muscle tone while awake, making you unable to move.
Anyone who experiences any symptoms should see a doctor who will test how your body responds to sleep problems or find out the severity of your sleep disorder. After pinpointing the problem, the doctor will then start a course of treatment.
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