A sleep disorder, or somnipathy, is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders are serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental and emotional functioning. A test commonly ordered for some sleep disorders is the polysomnography.

Disruptions in sleep can be caused by a variety of issues, from teeth grinding (bruxism) to night terrors. When a person suffers from difficulty in sleeping with no obvious cause, it is referred to as insomnia. In addition, sleep disorders may also cause sufferers to sleep excessively, a condition known as hypersomnia . Management of sleep disturbances that are secondary to mental, medical, or substance abuse disorders should focus on the underlying conditions.

The inability to move when transitioning from sleep to wakefulness is called sleep paralysis . The affected person is awake but unable to move as the muscles remain paralyzed. When sleep paralysis occurs as part of certain symptoms,, it may suggest narcolepsy. However, it also occurs commonly in healthy people, especially in periods of stress.

Symptoms, treatment and much more…

At some time, most of us have experienced what it’s like to have trouble falling asleep, to lie awake in the middle of the night, or feel sleepy and fatigued during the day. However, when sleep problems are a regular occurrence—when they get in the way of your daily routine and hamper your ability to function—you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

Sleep disorders and other sleeping problems cause more than just sleepiness. Poor quality sleep can have a negative impact on your energy, emotional balance, productivity, and health. If you’re experiencing sleeping problems,  learn about the signs and symptoms of common sleep disorders, what you can do to help yourself, and when to see a doctor.