Sleep Disorders: A Complete Guide to Better Sleep

Sleep disorders affect how you sleep, how you function during the day, and how your body recovers long-term. Millions of people live with undiagnosed or untreated sleep conditions—often without realizing that poor sleep is the root cause of fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, or chronic health issues.

Our goal is simple: help you sleep better by identifying, diagnosing, and treating sleep disorders using evidence-based care.

Below is a comprehensive, medically aligned overview of the most common and clinically recognized sleep disorders. Click any condition to explore symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Common Sleep Disorders We Diagnose & Treat

These are some of the most frequently searched and diagnosed sleep conditions:

• Sleep Apnea (Obstructive & Central)

• Insomnia (Acute & Chronic)

• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

• Snoring

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

• Narcolepsy

• Circadian Rhythm Disorders (Shift Work, Jet Lag)

• Parasomnias (Sleepwalking, Night Terrors, REM Disorders)

• Sleep-Related Movement Disorders

• Pediatric Sleep Disorders

If sleep problems are interfering with your health, work, or relationships, it’s time to look deeper.

Insomnia Disorders (Difficulty Falling or Staying Asleep)

Insomnia is more than “trouble sleeping.” It’s a diagnosable condition with multiple subtypes and causes.

Insomnia Types Include:

• Chronic Insomnia Disorder

• Short-Term (Acute) Insomnia

• Psychophysiological Insomnia

• Paradoxical Insomnia

• Insomnia Due to Mental Health Conditions

• Insomnia Due to Medical Conditions

• Insomnia Related to Medications or Substances

• Inadequate Sleep Hygiene

• Behavioral Insomnia of Childhood

Persistent insomnia increases the risk of anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and impaired daytime performance.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

These conditions disrupt breathing during sleep and are closely linked to heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders.

Breathing Disorders Include:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Adult & Pediatric)

• Central Sleep Apnea

• Cheyne–Stokes Breathing

• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

• Sleep-Related Hypoventilation Disorders

• Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

• Sleep-Related Hypoxemia

Snoring, gasping, choking, or unrefreshing sleep are common warning signs.

Hypersomnia Disorders (Excessive Sleepiness)

Hypersomnias cause overwhelming daytime sleepiness—even after adequate sleep.

Hypersomnia Conditions Include:

• Narcolepsy (With or Without Cataplexy)

• Idiopathic Hypersomnia

• Kleine–Levin Syndrome

• Insufficient Sleep Syndrome

• Hypersomnia Due to Medical or Neurological Conditions

• Medication- or Substance-Induced Hypersomnia

These disorders often go undiagnosed and are frequently mistaken for depression or fatigue.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders

Your internal clock may be misaligned with your lifestyle or environment.

Circadian Disorders Include:

• Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder

• Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder

• Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm

• Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder

• Shift Work Sleep Disorder

• Jet Lag Disorder

These conditions affect sleep timing, alertness, and long-term health.

Parasomnias (Abnormal Behaviors During Sleep)

Parasomnias involve unwanted events or behaviors during sleep or sleep transitions.

Parasomnias Include:

• Sleepwalking

• Sleep Terrors (Night Terrors)

• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

• Nightmare Disorder

• Recurrent Sleep Paralysis

• Exploding Head Syndrome

• Sleep-Related Hallucinations

• Sleep-Related Eating Disorder

• Catathrenia (Sleep Groaning)

Some parasomnias may signal underlying neurological or medical conditions.

Sleep-Related Movement Disorders

These disorders cause repetitive movements that fragment sleep.

Movement Disorders Include:

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

• Sleep-Related Leg Cramps

• Sleep-Related Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

• Rhythmic Movement Disorder

• Benign Sleep Myoclonus of Infancy

Left untreated, these conditions can severely impact sleep quality.

Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Children experience unique sleep challenges that affect growth, learning, and behavior.

Common pediatric concerns include:

• Pediatric Sleep Apnea

• Behavioral Insomnia of Childhood

• Night Terrors

• Sleepwalking

• Bedwetting (Sleep Enuresis)

• Rhythmic Movement Disorders

Early diagnosis can prevent long-term complications.

Isolated Symptoms & Normal Sleep Variants

Some sleep-related symptoms may be benign—but still worth evaluating if persistent.

Examples include:

• Snoring

• Sleep Talking

• Hypnic Jerks

• Long Sleeper / Short Sleeper Patterns

• Benign Sleep Myoclonus

A sleep specialist can help determine what’s normal—and what’s not.

Sleep Disorders Linked to Medical & Psychiatric Conditions

Sleep disorders often overlap with other health conditions, including:

• Depression & Anxiety Disorders

• Neurological Conditions (Seizures, Epilepsy)

• Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia

• GERD (Acid Reflux)

• Cardiovascular Disease

• PTSD and Trauma-Related Disorders

Treating sleep often improves overall health outcomes.

When to See a Sleep Specialist

You should consider a professional sleep evaluation if you experience:

• Chronic fatigue or sleepiness

• Loud snoring or breathing pauses

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Unusual movements or behaviors during sleep

• Poor sleep despite “doing everything right”

Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep

Sleep is not optional—it’s foundational to your health.

? Explore each condition above to learn more
? Schedule a sleep evaluation
? Get answers. Sleep better. Live better.