What are sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are changes in sleep patterns or habits that can disrupt rest and negatively affect overall health. A lack of sleep can trigger other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems and a few of the most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy.
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Who is at risk of sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders can affect a wide range of people in different age groups, but they are most common among adults over the age of 40. Different disorders may also disproportionally affect certain demographics, for example insomnia is most common among females whereas sleep apnea is significantly more common in males. Other risk factors include having depression or anxiety, being overweight, or having a family history of disordered sleep. Sleep has also been closely related to stress, so being under chronic stress can greatly affect sleep quality and lead to certain disorders. Similarly, a lack of sleep can cause extended stress and lead to a disordered sleep cycle.
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