ABOUT SLEEP DISORDERS
People with insomnia have a difficult time falling sleep, frequently wake during the night, or wake too early. This is a fairly common problem in adults; 10-20% of adults report chronic insomnia. Interestingly, women are affected more than men, by a ratio of 3:2, and people over 65 years of age are more likely to suffer from insomnia.
- Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, typically when sedentary, at night, and when trying to fall asleep. Roughly 10% of the population in Western countries suffer from this syndrome.
Narcolepsy affects about 0.03% of the population. The typical features include excessive daytime sleepiness, decreased work productivity, and impaired social interactions.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
sleep apnea occurs when one's throat closes repeatedly during sleep.
This causes breathing to stop for 10-30 seconds which leads to a brief
awakening. The most common consequence of obstructive sleep apnea
is excessive daytime sleepiness. About 4% of adult men and 2% of
adult women suffer from sleep apnea and admit to daytime sleepiness.
More people have sleep apnea and do not admit or experience sleepiness.
80% of men and 90% of women who have sleep apnea do not know that
they have this condition. Sleep apnea is associated with an increased
risk for motor vehicle crash, hypertension, stroke, and heart attack.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
Children are at particularly high risk of sleep apnea. At least 1-3% of children are affected by frank sleep apnea, while up to 10% of children suffer a milder form. Children with sleep apnea do worse in school, and it may contribute to ADHD and aggressive behavior. Most children with sleep apnea are not diagnosed.