Sleep disorder

A sleep disorder, or somnipathy, is a <a href="/facts/Medical_disorder/55eeQlGL">medical disorder</a> affecting an individual's <a href="/facts/Sleep/0bSDElWc">sleep</a> patterns, sometimes impacting physical, mental, social, and emotional functioning. <a href="/facts/Polysomnography/I7HK95FK">Polysomnography</a> and <a href="/facts/Actigraphy/DEedwCUk">actigraphy</a> are tests commonly ordered for diagnosing sleep disorders.
Sleep disorders are broadly classified into <a href="/facts/Dyssomnia/GwSz7yRq">dyssomnias</a>, <a href="/facts/Parasomnia/4Nd76vew">parasomnias</a>, <a href="/facts/Circadian_rhythm_sleep_disorder/N1tXwAPl">circadian rhythm sleep disorders</a> involving the timing of sleep, and other disorders, including those caused by medical or psychological conditions. When a person struggles to fall asleep or stay asleep without any obvious cause, it is referred to as <a href="/facts/Insomnia/C1TnQTb2">insomnia</a>, which is the most common sleep disorder. Other sleep disorders include <a href="/facts/Sleep_apnea/mstY43ok">sleep apnea</a>, <a href="/facts/Narcolepsy/YfQFgVbd">narcolepsy</a>, <a href="/facts/Hypersomnia/wxfTgA1W">hypersomnia</a> (excessive sleepiness at inappropriate times), <a href="/facts/Sleeping_sickness/zuvUoRKC">sleeping sickness</a> (disruption of the sleep cycle due to infection), <a href="/facts/Sleepwalking/CS0r59m5">sleepwalking</a>, and <a href="/facts/Night_terror/xlDWWwmX">night terrors</a>.
Sleep disruptions can be caused by various issues, including teeth grinding (<a href="/facts/Bruxism/zf241PgK">bruxism</a>) and night terrors. Managing sleep disturbances that are secondary to mental, medical, or substance abuse disorders should focus on addressing the underlying conditions.
Sleep disorders are common in both children and adults. However, there is a significant lack of awareness about sleep disorders in children, with many cases remaining unidentified. Several common factors involved in the onset of a sleep disorder include increased medication use, age-related changes in circadian rhythms, environmental changes, lifestyle changes, pre-diagnosed physiological problems, or stress. Among the elderly, the risk of developing sleep-disordered breathing, periodic limb movements, <a href="/facts/Restless_legs_syndrome/XNn8sPDN">restless legs syndrome</a>, REM sleep behavior disorders, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disturbances is especially high.

Sleep disorder open-in-new

Sleep disorder