Sleep disorders refer to a group of conditions that affect the quality, timing, or duration of a person’s sleep. These disorders can disrupt normal sleep patterns and lead to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep. Sleep is a vital component of overall health and well-being, and when disrupted, it can have significant impacts on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional functioning.

There are various types of sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias. Insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing poor sleep quality, which can result in daytime fatigue, mood disturbances, and impaired concentration. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. Restless legs syndrome involves uncomfortable sensations in the legs, causing an urge to move them, often leading to sleep disturbances. Parasomnias include sleepwalking, night terrors, and sleep-related eating disorders, among others.