What is a sleep disorder and what Kinds of Sleep Disorders are there?

A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a disorder in the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders can interfere with mental and emotional function, due to their interference with REM sleep.

Common sleep disorders
The most common sleep disorders include:

Bruxism: The sufferer involuntarily grinds his or her teeth while sleeping

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS): a sleep disorder of circadian rhythm

Insomnia: Inability to fall asleep at will or at normal times

Jet lag or desynchronosis: Temporary condition resulting in out of sync sleep patterns as a result of rapidly travelling across multiple time zones

Narcolepsy: The condition of falling asleep spontaneously and unwillfully

Night terror or Pavor nocturnus or sleep terror disorder: abrupt awakening from sleep with behavior consistent with terror

Parasomnias: Include a variety of disruptive sleep-related events

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): Involuntary movement of arms and/or legs during sleep

Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD): Acting out violent or dramatic dreams while in REM sleep

Restless legs syndrome (RLS): An irresistible urge to move legs while sleeping. Often accompanies PLMD.

Sleep apnea: The obstruction of the airway during sleep

Sleep paralysis: Conscious paralysis upon waking or falling asleep

Sleepwalking or somnambulism: Engaging in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness (such as eating or dressing), which may include walking, without the conscious knowledge of the subject

Snoring: Loud breathing patterns while sleeping, sometimes accompanying sleep apnea

What Are The Causes of Sleep Disorders?
Changes in life style, such as shift work change (SWC), can contribute to sleep disorders.

Other problems that can affect sleep:

1. Back problems
2. Neck problems
3. Sciatica
4. Incontinence
5. Various drugs – Many drugs can affect the ratio of the various stages of sleep, thus affecting the overall quality of sleep. Poor sleep can lead to accumulation of Sleep debt.

A sleep diary can be used to help diagnose, and measure improvements in sleep disorders.

According to Dr. William Dement, of the Stanford Sleep Center, anyone who snores and has daytime drowsiness should be evaluated for sleep disorders.

Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, author, and life coach. She has been helping people make smarter life choices since 1998. Get more free tips like this when you subscribe to the GirlShrink newsletter .

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