How Many People Have Sleep Disorders?

 

Research shows that approximately one-third of the US population suffers from inadequate sleep at some point in their lives. Some populations with a high prevalence of sleep disorders are well known. These include people in occupations where regular sleep is impossible, such as pilots and truckers, or people who work night shifts and thus must sleep during the day. The elderly also experience higher rates of insomnia than the rest of the population. However, all of these people have the same sleep requirements. According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders study in 1992, chronic sleep disorders affect 40 million Americans. An additional 20-30 million Americans experience intermittent sleep-related problems.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a disorder in the sleep patterns of a person. If you are experiencing from one of the following, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder:

•Loud snoring

•Obesity

•Morning Headaches

•Impotence

•High Blood Pressure

•Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

•Trouble falling or staying asleep Depression, reduced sense of well-being

•Awakening with a choking feeling or gasping of air

•Decreased memory or concentration

•Restless legs

•Involuntarily teeth grinding while sleeping

•Abnormally shallow breathing or slow respiratory rate

•Falling asleep spontaneously and unwillingly

•Abrupt awakening from sleep

•Disrupted sleep related events

•Involuntary movement or arms and/or legs during sleep

•Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

•Shift work sleep disorder

•Sleep Apnea

•Sleepwalking