Sleep Disorders: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

Sleep disorders affect approximately one-third of adults and are significantly underdiagnosed. Chronic poor sleep is not merely an inconvenience — it is a significant health risk associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and impaired immune function. Identifying and treating specific sleep disorders is therefore an important medical priority.

Insomnia — the most common sleep disorder — is defined as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or non-restorative sleep occurring at least 3 nights per week for at least 3 months, causing significant daytime impairment. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment, superior to sleep medications in long-term outcomes. Sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control, and relaxation techniques are its core components.

See also: Sleep Study: Diagnosing Sleep Disorders

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects approximately 10% of adults, with the majority undiagnosed. It causes repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep, resulting in oxygen desaturations, arousal, and fragmented sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring, witnessed apneas, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and cognitive impairment. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) causes an irresistible urge to move the legs (and sometimes arms), typically worse at night and partially relieved by movement. It affects 5–10% of adults and is associated with iron deficiency, pregnancy, and kidney disease. Iron replacement corrects RLS when serum ferritin is < 50 ng/mL. Dopaminergic medications (pramipexole, ropinirole) or alpha-2-delta ligands (pregabalin) are used for moderate to severe cases.

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