# Sleep Disorders
Confidence: high
Last verified: 2026-05-22
Generation: ai_assisted


## TL;DR

Sleep disorders affect millions. Insomnia: difficulty falling/staying asleep (most common). Sleep apnea: breathing repeatedly stops during sleep — CPAP treatment. Narcolepsy: excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): uncomfortable sensation + urge to move legs. Parasomnias: sleepwalking, night terrors.

## Core Explanation

Insomnia: CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy) is first-line treatment — more effective than sleeping pills long-term. Sleep apnea: affects 10-30% of adults, mostly undiagnosed. Narcolepsy: caused by loss of hypocretin/orexin neurons — autoimmune. Parasomnias: occur during non-REM (sleepwalking) or REM (nightmares). Circadian rhythm disorders: shift work, jet lag, delayed sleep phase.

## Further Reading

- [International Classification of Sleep Disorders (3rd Ed)](https://aasm.org/clinical-resources/international-classification-sleep-disorders/)