The semi-annual experiences cause many of us to feel sluggish and tired for a few days, but it gives most of us an idea of how people with sleep disorders feel everyday. People with sleep disorders can suffer from a wide range of problems, such as impaired concentration and falling asleep on the job. They are also at higher risk for accidents and the health consequences can be severe. The trick, he adds, is to find out what is the cause of the symptoms that bring a patient to see the doctor. Apnea is more frequent in the obese and can occur at any age and both sexes.
Key symptoms are habitual snoring and daytime sleepiness.
Narcolepsy - associated with episodes of transient muscle weakness precipitated most frequently by laugher. Treatment of narcolepsy has improved dramatically in the last few years and should not be confused with sleep apnea since the treatments are very different. Insomnia - difficulty in falling asleep or remaining asleep. The causes can be psychiatric like anxiety, depression, or stress or medical problems like restless legs syndrome or chronic pain. Many with insomnia have neither a medical nor a psychiatric explanation for their symptoms.