Sleep disorders are medical conditions that prevent a person from having a quality sleep every night, and it can cause a person to feel tired and can cause daytime drowsiness, which can cause improper functioning. Sleep disorders have approximately 8 different types and are classified into 3 different major categories, such as “Lack of Sleep”, “Disturbed Sleep”, and “Excessive Sleep”. Studies show that more than 70 million Americans are suffering from the condition. They do not only affect a person’s daytime functioning and a person’s quality of sleep in the long run they can also cause serious stress and other medical conditions.

Sleep Disorders: Lack of Sleep Category

Insomnia is the type of sleep disorder under the category of sleep disorders, the “Lack of Sleep”, because, it inhibits a person from falling asleep. Insomnia is one of the most common in the category that can affect almost anyone in certain points of their lives.

Sleep deprivation is not a type of sleep disorder, but it is just a term given when a person is not getting enough amounts of sleep. Sleep deprivation can affect a person’s judgment and daytime functioning, just like in insomnia.

Sleep Disorders: Disturbed Sleep Category

Sleep Apnea is a type of sleep disorder under the category of sleep disorders, the “Disturbed Sleep”. Sleep apnea is characterized by apneic episodes (cessation of breathing) while a person is asleep. During episodes of sleep apnea, a person may seem to be gasping or snorting for oxygen. People suffering from sleep apnea will always have a disturbed sleep, since every apneic episode is they may need to wake up to resume breathing.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and/or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) are common sleep disorders that can disturb sleep cycles, and these  are usually seen in elderly people. Restless leg syndrome is characterized by tingling sensations felt in the legs that can wake a person up from sleep and can prevent a person from falling asleep. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder is characterized by involuntary jerking of the arms and/or legs while a person is sleeping. PLMD can disturb a person from sleeping, since every jerk movements (approximately 3 jerks/minute) can wake him or her up.

Sleep Disorders: Excessive Sleep Category

The “Excessive Sleep”. Narcolepsy is one of the most life-threatening of sleep disorder, since it is characterized by sudden and severe drowsiness, which can happen any time of the day. Attacks of sudden, severe, and uncontrolled drowsiness can happen anytime even when a person is doing activities, such as driving motor vehicles, cooking, walking up or down the stairs, and many more. Sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy should be treated and managed, to prevent life-threatening effects to happen.