Is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep though the night? Do you wake up feeling tired or feel very sleepy during the day, even if you have had enough sleep? You might have a sleep disorder. Our resident sleep expert and bioscientific investigator at the Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Dr. Christopher Drake, explains six kinds of sleep disorders:

1. Chronic Insomnia – The most common sleep disorder is a condition known as chronic insomnia that affects at least ten percent of the American population. It is a condition in which patients have severe difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep.

Dr. Drake added that while the underlying physiological causes of chronic insomnia are unknown, there are known triggers. Psychosocial factors like the loss of a job, divorce, and other severe life stressors can produce insomnia. Medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, depression or anxiety, can also contribute to the development of insomnia. Insomnia also has a genetic component so that some individuals are more susceptible to sleep disturbance from these triggers than others.

Unfortunately, chronic insomnia can be extremely treatment resistant. Treatments come in various forms, including doctor-prescribed behavioral treatments, self-help books, music relaxation, and prescribed and over-the counter medications. Some patients find success using medical treatments, while others find success with drug-free programs. Dr. Drake recommends making a strong commitment to whatever treatment program is chosen. Treating insomnia early may prevent the development of other negative effects. “There is a great deal of evidence that insomnia may lead to depression over prolonged periods of time”, explains Dr. Drake.

2. Sleep Apnea – Between five and twenty percent of the U.S. population suffer from sleep apnea. It is a condition that often occurs in the older demographic and is often related to significant weight gain or a narrow/crowded airway. Sleep apnea is literally the collapsing of your airway during sleep and can happen hundreds of times per night in some severely affected individuals, remarked Dr. Drake. Sufferers stop breathing sparking many brief awakenings leading to fragmented and non-restorative sleep. In severe cases, patients stop breathing episodes can happen for minutes at a time.

The symptoms of sleep apnea usually involve feeling excessively sleepy or fatigued and may be accompanied by morning headaches, dry mouth, and frequent urination during the night. Unlike holding your breath while awake, when you stop breathing during sleep, the amount of oxygen in your blood is reduced and this can lead to significant medical complications including elevated blood pressure. Left untreated, patients have an increased risk for mortality from of cardiovascular disorders like heart disease. The excessive sleepiness caused by the frequent stop breathing episodes also increases the risk for motor vehicle accidents and can significantly reduce one’s quality of life.

Individuals who suffer from sleepiness/fatigue, hypertension, and snoring, should speak to their doctor about the possibility that they may have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. Treatment can be extremely effective for this disorder and it has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular and other negative consequences. Dr. Drake outlines three types of treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA:

1. CPAP – Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is an effective way to treat sleep apnea, says Dr. Drake. A CPAP machine involves a mask that is worn over the nose and mouth at night. It forces air into the airway, keeping it from collapsing.

2. Surgery – If you have a crowded airway or enlarged tonsils, tongue or uvula, surgery may be needed to correct sleep apnea.

3. Dental – A dental device is an option for those suffering from mild sleep apnea. A specially made dental apparatus can be designed to pull the bottom jaw forward to keep the airway open.

Although not everyone with sleep apnea is overweight, weight reduction can also be effective in individuals with obesity as a contributing factor.

3. Restless Leg Syndrome – The syndrome known as RLS, affects about ten percent of the population. Patients describe it as a “creepy, crawling sensation” in the legs sometimes described by patients like bugs crawling under the skin. The uncontrollable movements of RLS sufferers during the night keep them from getting a good night’s sleep. 

Dr. Drake recommends massaging the legs or walking around as a means of temporary relief. For more permanent relief contact your doctor to learn more about available drug treatments.

4-6. Other uncommon disorders include narcolepsy, sleepwalking, sleep talking, and REM behavior disorder, explains Dr. Drake. 

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness due to a loss of specific cells (hypocretin) in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. It is very difficult for patients with narcolepsy to stay awake during the day, said Dr. Drake. Episodes of cataplexy sometimes occur due to the intrusion of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep into the daytime. These episodes involve loss of muscle tone to the body and can range in severity from mild to almost full body paralysis. An extremely rare disorder – much less than one percent of the population suffer from narcolepsy – it can be treated with medications.

Parasomnias are disruptive sleep-related disorders that include sleepwalking and sleep talking. Common in kids, safety is important. Be sure to keep them safe so they do not fall down steps at night. While treatments are available, Dr. Drake notes that parasomnias typically go away over time, particularly in children. 

Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) is a disorder in which patients act out dreams during the REM stage of sleep. Typically the body is paralyzed during REM, however patients with RBD do not experience paralysis and act out their dreams, often with serious consequences including injury. This can be very scary for the bed partner, Dr. Drake explained. Luckily RBD is treatable.  

For more information on any of these sleep disorders, Dr. Drake recommends contacting your doctor.

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