Types of Sleep Disorders

There are over 84 types of possible sleep disorders; listed below are a few of the more common disorders.

Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and frequently occurring sleep disorder. It involves a collapse of the airway walls resulting in loud snoring and the inability to breath. Someone with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing for ten seconds or longer, dozens, even hundreds of times each night.


Narcolepsy is excessive daytime drowsiness with a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times regardless of activity or circumstance. Narcolepsy can manifest itself in mild or severe forms.

Periodic Limb Movement/Restless Legs Syndrome

Periodic limb movement (PLM) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are related disorders. PLM occurs most often when a person is asleep and movements are unconscious. People suffering from PLM may feel sleepy, have insomnia, or their limbs may feel tired during the day. RLS occurs only when a person is awake and is a voluntary response to uncomfortable or painful feelings in the limbs.

This sleeping disorder plagues one out of every three Americans. Symptoms include trouble initiating or sustaining sleep and depression or irritability. Insomnia disturbs a person’s waking hours as well as their sleeping hours.

Parasomnia refers to a wide variety of disruptive sleep-related events. Behavior could include confusional arousals, sleepwalking or sleep terror. These behaviors and experiences occur usually while sleeping, and are most often infrequent and mild. They may, however, happen often enough or become so bothersome that medical attention is required.

Gastroesophageal Reflux
In some cases people suffering from this sleeping disorder may complain of heartburn. In other instances, individuals may experience a bitter taste, hoarseness or a sore throat upon awakening. Insomnia or a persistent cough or clearing of one’s throat may also be a symptom of this disorder.