What is sleep disturbances?
Sleep disturbances refer to any conditions that interfere with normal, quality sleep. They can significantly impact daily functioning and long-term health. Some common types of sleep disturbances include:
Insomnia Insomnia involves difficulty falling or staying asleep. People with insomnia often experience fatigue, low energy, irritability, and concentration issues during the day. There are two main types:
Sleep apnea Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses or interruptions in breathing during sleep. This results in restless, low-quality sleep and daytime fatigue. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), involving a blockage of airflow.
Circadian rhythm disorders These occur when the body's internal sleep-wake cycle gets disrupted. Jet lag is one example that causes fatigue, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness. Others like delayed sleep phase disorder involve abnormal timing of sleep.
Restless legs syndrome RLS involves uncomfortable sensations in the legs along with an irresistible urge to move them. This often develops in the evenings and nights, making it very difficult to fall asleep.
Risk factors Sleep disturbances can happen to anyone but are more common if you:
If you regularly struggle with disrupted sleep, talk to your doctor. They can help identify underlying causes and provide personalized treatment recommendations ranging from lifestyle changes to medications or other therapy. Establishing healthy sleep habits can also prevent problems in many cases. Addressing sleep disturbances is crucial for supporting health, productivity, mood, and quality of life.