What are common sleep disorders and how can they be addressed?

Sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. However, many people suffer from sleep disorders that can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Some common sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia: difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Sleep apnea: pauses in breathing during sleep
• Restless legs syndrome: uncomfortable sensations in the legs that can disrupt sleep
• Narcolepsy: excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep
• Parasomnias: sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking or night terrors

There are several strategies for addressing sleep disorders. These include:

• Improving sleep hygiene: creating a sleep-conducive environment, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding stimulants before bedtime
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): a type of talk therapy that helps identify and address the underlying causes of insomnia
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: a treatment for sleep apnea that involves wearing a mask that delivers pressurized air to keep the airway open during sleep
• Medications: prescription medications may be used to treat certain sleep disorders, such as insomnia or restless legs syndrome