Sleep Disorders

Jun 13, 2024
Fact Checked
Dealing With and Treating Sleeping Disorders
Written by: LaKeisha Fleming
Medically Reviewed by Suzanne Gorovoy, PhD

Key Takeaways

We all know what it feels like after a crummy night’s sleep. You’re tired, irritable, and might struggle to function normally. For some people, this doesn’t just happen occasionally—it’s their daily experience and reality. When this happens, it’s possible that someone may be suffering from an undiagnosed sleep disorder.

Between 50–70 million people in the United States have chronic sleep disorders. And these are just the ones who report the issue [1] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency? March 24, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation . Unfortunately, not getting enough sleep has health consequences. Sleep disorders can lead to fatigue, irritability, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It’s important to understand what causes sleep disorders, the impact these disorders can have on your mind and body, and what treatment options are available to help you get a restful night’s sleep. 

What are sleep disorders? 

When you have a terrible night’s sleep, night after night, you could be dealing with a sleep disorder. According to Lauri Leadley, founder, president, and clinical sleep educator at Valley Sleep Center based in Mesa, Arizona, a sleep disorder is a health condition that impacts a person’s quality of sleep, disrupting the natural sleep cycle: “Sleep disorders are every bit as serious as any other chronic illness, but, generally speaking, people don’t seek medical attention at the same rate as they would if they were suffering chest pain.

Sleep disorders are sometimes called sleep-wake disorders and often make it hard to get enough quality sleep.

Categories of sleep disorders 

Sleep disorders can be grouped together according to a person’s symptoms, how the disorder impacts sleep and waking hours, whether movement occurs during sleep, and if there is an arousal from a sleeping state. Research shows there are eight sleep disorder categories [2] Thorpy M. Classification of Sleep Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. Sept. 14, 2012. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480567 :

Types of sleep disorders 

So far, more than 80 sleep disorders have been discovered. Insomnia is the most common one, affecting roughly one out of every three adults worldwide [4] Roth T. Insomnia: Definition, Prevalence, Etiology, and Consequences. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Nov. 14, 2019. Found on the internet at https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.26929 . Symptoms include consistently having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, as well as not getting good quality sleep throughout the night. If your sleep problems occur more than three times per week and go on for three months or longer, you may be dealing with insomnia.

Other common sleep disorders include:

Causes and symptoms of sleep disorders 

Just as there are numerous types of sleep disorders, there are many causes. The reasons people get them and the symptoms are just as individualized as the people who experience them, although people with sleeping disorders can share common experiences. Knowing what to look for can be your first step toward getting treatment. 

What are the causes of sleep disorders? 

If you’re experiencing symptoms that you think might be a sleep disorder, talk to your health care provider or a sleep specialist, who can help you figure out the reasons behind your sleep disorder. Sometimes, you can control the factors causing your sleep disorders. In other situations, you may need prescription medicine or a device to help you.

Any combination of the following factors can lead to problems with sleeping in general: 

What are the symptoms of sleep disorders? 

Each sleep disorder has its own set of symptoms. But many symptoms are not exclusive to just one disorder. It’s important to understand that everyone occasionally sleeps poorly or wakes up feeling less than refreshed. You should contact your physician if you’re experiencing symptoms longer than a week or two and are impacted during the day. 

Signs to watch out for include but are not limited to [22] Cleveland Clinic. Sleep Disorders. June 19, 2023. Found on the internet at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11429-sleep-disorders

Sleep disorders in older adults 

Sleep problems can intensify as we get older. Research shows that our sleep patterns change as we age. In fact, while more than 20% of the general population deals with sleep problems, the number jumps to 50% in adults 65 and older [23] Tatineny P. Sleep in the Elderly. Missouri Medicine. September-October 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7723148 .

People with Type 2 diabetes often do not get enough sleep. The combination of having Type 2 diabetes and not getting adequate sleep has been linked to developing  dementia [24] Holingue C, et al. Disturbed Sleep and Diabetes: A Potential Nexus of Dementia Risk. Metabolism. Feb. 1, 2018. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5995651 .

Older adults are more likely to have sleep disorders due to diseases, like Alzheimer’s or heart failure. Certain medications can also interfere with sleep (for example, beta-blockers for hypertension). Disruptions to your sleep cycle, like the frequent need to urinate, or a sedentary lifestyle, can also lead to sleep problems [23] Tatineny P. Sleep in the Elderly. Missouri Medicine. September-October 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7723148 .

Sleep disorders treatment 

Though sleep disorders are a serious issue and can cause significant problems, many of the symptoms can be treated. Options for treatment include actions you can do at home and doctor-prescribed recommendations: 

Bottom line

Headaches, nausea, and irritability are just a few of the negative consequences of a sleep disorder. Not getting the rest you need impacts the quality of your life physically, mentally, and emotionally. While the symptoms and causes can be daunting, there are clear steps you can take to address your concerns. If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, visit your primary health care doctor or get a referral to a sleep specialist to get the help you need.

“Sleep is crucial to living. Don’t ignore the signs of sleep apnea and/or any other sleep disorders. Poor sleep quality causes health conditions that can be avoided,” Leadley said.

Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

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Sources

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LaKeisha Fleming is a writer, content creator, motivational speaker, instructor, and filmmaker
Suzanne Gorovoy Medical Reviewer
Suzanne Gorovoy is a clinical psychologist, behavioral sleep medicine specialist, and member of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She received her graduate degree in School Psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University, her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
Susan Stiles
Susan Stiles Reviewer
Susan Stiles, PhD, provides leadership in the design and development of consumer products that inspire, educate, and activate older adults. She’s been instrumental in bringing the Aging Mastery Program® to market and scaling it nationwide via strategic alliances and business partnerships. Stiles has 20+ years of experience in design thinking, multimedia, strategic communications, and management consulting.