A good night’s sleep is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet. Studies have shown that poor sleep has immediate negative effects on your hormones, exercise performance, and brain function.

Sleep disorders are common. You may wake up in the middle of the night, have difficulty falling asleep, or wake up early, tired. You may have recurring episodes of restless sleep, lack of energy, or other symptoms of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy. You may also experience disturbed sleep or chronic sleepiness. If you have recurring episodes of trouble sleeping, you may have a sleep disorder.

 Types of Sleep Disorders

According to the sleep foundation, there are several types of sleep disorders.

However, the most researched sleep disorder includes the following:

1. Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and it is characterized by the recurring difficulty to fall or remain asleep despite motivation and means to do so. Insomnia is considered a chronic condition when patients exhibit symptoms at least three times per week for at least three months. Based on recent statistics, up to one-third of adults live with some form of insomnia.

2. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related breathing disorder that occurs due to blockage of the upper airway. People with this condition often wake up choking or gasping for air. Like other sleep disorders, sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, as well as various cognitive impairments.

3. Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that makes people feel excessively tired during the day despite getting an adequate amount of rest the previous night. Narcolepsy affects roughly 1 in 2,000 people in the U.S.

4. Excessive Sleepiness

 EDS is defined by feelings of intense grogginess during the day that can compel people to sleep at inopportune times. People who feel excessively groggy during the day may also be more prone to errors and accidents. A wide range of medical and psychological conditions can lead to EDS, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. EDS is believed to affect up to 18% of the population.

5. Sleep Paralysis

It’s fairly common to have an isolated incident of sleep paralysis in your life. Researchers estimate that between 25% and 40% of people will experience it at least once. Imagine waking up in the morning and being unable to move. As you might imagine, sleep paralysis can be terrifying. It can happen during any transition between sleep and being awake, either as you drift off or as you wake up.

How Do You Fix Sleep Problems?

Not sleeping enough is one of the worst things that a person can do to their bodies. Sleeping is great for rejuvenating our bodies and healing our systems inside. So, it is the complete opposite that takes place when we don’t get enough sleep.

Good sleep does not mean just getting your 8 hours a night of sleep. it also matters that the quality of your sleep is good. Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, and as quiet as possible. Use low lighting in the evenings and as you prepare for bed. If you go to sleep with your mind disturbed, you will most likely have a night of disturbed sleep. Here are some common ways to fix sleep problems.

Regular exercise during the day is also one of the best ways to ensure a good night’s sleep. Exercise at regular times each day but not within 3 hours of your bedtime. Avoid eating large meals close to bedtime. In addition, drinking a lot of fluids before bed can overwhelm the bladder, requiring frequent visits to the bathroom which can disturb your sleep.

 The Bottom Line

Sleep plays a key role in your health. Getting less than 7–8 hours per night increases your risk of developing health problems.  It’s therefore recommended that you make sleep a top priority and practice good sleep hygiene.