Sleep-Related Disorders

Common sleep related disorders are as follows: 

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Hypersomnolence: Excessive sleep or persistent feeling of sleepiness.
• Parasomnia: Unusual or unwanted behaviours and perceptions occurring during sleep
• Narcolepsy: Episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness and brief involuntary sleep episodes
• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA): Repeated temporary interruptions in breathing during sleep, often associated with snoring.

Symptoms depend on the type, but commonly include:

• Unable to fall asleep
• Trouble continuing sleep throughout the night
• Snoring or gasping during sleep
• Unable to move on waking up (sleep paralysis)
• Mood irritability
• Sleepiness/fatigue during daytime

The causes of sleep deprivation include:

• Mental health conditions: Depression, stress, or anxiety
• Genetics: Family history of sleep disorders.
• Lifestyle factors: Working late nights, irregular schedules, or excessive screen time.
• Substance use: Alcohol, caffeine, or recreational drugs.
• Side effects of certain medications

To diagnose sleep-related disorders, doctors may recommend:

• Physical examination: To check for underlying conditions.
• Sleep study (polysomnography): Monitors breathing, brain activity, and movement during sleep.
• Blood tests: To check for hormonal or metabolic causes.
• Imaging tests: To look at brain or airway structure if needed.

Management depends on the type of disorder and may include:

• Sleep hygiene: Establishing a consistent sleep routine, limiting screen time, and avoiding stimulants before bed.
• Medications (sleeping pills): Such as short-term sleeping aids (under medical supervision).
• Light therapy: Exposure to specific light patterns to reset the body’s sleep cycle.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy: A form of talk therapy that helps change unhelpful thoughts and habits related to sleep.

Patients are advised to consult their doctor if they:

• Struggle to sleep well for more than a few weeks.
• Feel excessively tired or sleepy during the day.
• Experience loud snoring, choking, or pauses in breathing at night.
• Have unusual behaviours during sleep (such as sleepwalking).

You can reduce the risk of sleep problems by:

• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals close to bedtime.
• Creating a quiet, dark, and comfortable sleep environment.
• Limiting screen use before sleep.

For management of sleep-related disorders, patients may consult a Sleep medicine specialist/Pulmonologist (for sleep apnoea and breathing-related disorders), Neurologist (for conditions like narcolepsy or parasomnias), or Psychologist/Psychiatrist (for insomnia linked to stress, depression, or anxiety).