Living with a Sleep Disorder

Occasional sleep problems are nothing to worry about, but frequent sleep issues can indicate a sleep disorder. For some people, lack of restful sleep is a constant and potentially dangerous problem. People may have a medical condition known as a sleep disorder. A sleep disorder interferes with the body's ability to sleep normally. Sleep disorders are very common and include the following conditions: Obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder and circadian rhythm disorders.

The first step in managing a sleep disorder is good sleep hygiene, or practicing good sleep habits. Poor sleep hygiene can lead to excessive sleepiness and insomnia. It can also interact with other causes of sleep disorders. This results in poor sleep quality.