Common Sleep Disorders

Healthful sleep habits can ease the severity of sleep problems, but many people need medical treatment to get a good night’s sleep. Following are some of the most common sleep disorders, which are evaluated at the Sleep Center at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

Sleep Apnea

A person with sleep apnea stops and starts breathing again while asleep. This may happen several hundred times during the night, causing loud snoring and gasping, morning headache, sore throat, daytime sleepiness and problems with memory and concentration. If left untreated, it can result in irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, stroke or impotency in males. Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder.

Insomnia

A person with insomnia is unable to fall asleep during the night.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

A person with RLS has muscle twitches in their calves, thighs and ankles throughout the night, causing restless sleep and excessive tiredness during the day.

Narcolepsy

A person with narcolepsy suddenly falls asleep during the day.