If waking up feeling rested sounds like a dream to you, you may be one of the many people who has a sleep disorder. Not getting enough sleep can make you stressed and irritable. Here is more information about the most common sleep disorders. Sleep problems and disorders are related to falling asleep or waking up. Some are short-term changes in sleep patterns; others are more serious and should be treated.

Problems falling asleep

Occasional trouble falling or staying asleep is the most common sleep-related problem. Short-term insomnia can be caused by job changes, divorce, stress, grief, or other worries that keep you from relaxing. Chronic or long-term insomnia can be caused by shift work, high noise levels, chronic substance abuse, mood disorders, or certain medical conditions. An increase in the amount of time you sleep and in drowsiness during the day can be a sign of hypersomnia; a decrease in the amount of time you sleep can be a sign of hyposomnia.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic genetic disorder that affects a very small number of people. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning at all times of the day. These attacks can last from 30 seconds to more than half an hour. They often come with loss of muscle control, especially when the person is excited or laughing.

Teeth grinding

About 15 percent of the population clench their teeth while asleep, sometimes grinding them loudly enough to wake others. This can be caused by the way the upper and lower jaw meet when the mouth is closed; more often it occurs when the sleeper is anxious, tense, or angry. Alcohol intake can aggravate it. Occasional mild grinding is not harmful, but frequent, violent grinding can damage the teeth. Relaxation and stress management techniques may resolve the problem. Severe cases may require the use of a dental guard.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by brief periods where the person stops breathing, often hundreds of times a night. One of the most common disorders, sleep apnea is caused by a restriction in breathing passages. It can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Sleep apnea occurs when tissue in the throat blocks the air passage. This disorder has several common symptoms:

• Loud snoring


• Waking up unrefreshed


• Difficulty staying awake during the day


• Waking up with headaches


• Waking up during the night choking


• Waking up sweating

Restless Leg Syndrome

Abrupt, involuntary movement of the legs while sleeping, occurring at varying intensities. Periodic movements can cause frequent brief awakenings that hinder the quality of sleep. The most severe form is restless leg syndrome. Crawling, tingling, or prickling feelings in the legs force the sleeper to move or rub the legs for relief, even to get up and walk around.

Snoring & Apnea

Some estimates suggest that nearly one out of every seven women snore regularly. Snoring can be a sign of more serious problems, such as sleep apnea. People who are overweight or drink alcohol close to bedtime tend to snore more. So do people who sleep on their backs, which allows the tongue to slide back into the air passage. Jaw positioners or tongue retainers can help keep the airway clear. Sewing tennis balls into the back of a pajama top can discourage back sleepers.

When to seek help

If you have any of the following signs, you may need professional help to treat your insomnia:

• You have an accident or near-accident caused by drowsiness


• You find it hard to stay awake during the day


• You have trouble doing your work


• You have trouble concentrating


• You feel disoriented during the day

Sleep Clinics – What you should know

Occasional sleepless nights during stressful periods are no cause for alarm. For problems that recur or that continue for more than a few weeks, you may want to ask your physician to refer you to a specialist at a sleep disorders clinic. Sleep specialists use electronic equipment to measure brain activity (EEG), body temperature, breathing rates, and muscle movements during sleep. They may also monitor eye movements, evaluate airway obstructions, and measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.