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Nearly 40 million American men and women suffer from sleep disorders, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The most common sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and narcolepsy.

Between seven and nine hours of sleep are needed each night for most adults, according to sleep experts. Sleep disorders cause “sleep dept” that can result in serious consequences: vehicular crashes and increased risk or heart attack, stroke and obesity to name a few.

Some signs of sleep disorders are:

difficulty falling asleep, waking up and not being able to fall back asleep
excessive daytime sleepiness or falling asleep at inappropriate times and places
snoring that interrupts breathing
unpleasant sensations in the legs creating difficulty in getting to sleep

How can you tell if you have a sleep disorder or if you simply need some strategies to get a better night’s sleep?

A good starting point is taking the Sleep Quiz. Results of the quiz will help you know if you need to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. You might also want to begin tracking your sleep habits with our Sleep Diary.

Our Web site also has helpful information and resources that will give you tips on “sleep hygiene." Simply changing habits can help you get a better night’s sleep.

Helpful Hints About Getting a Good Night's Sleep

What You Can Do to Sleep Better

Getting to Sleep (Cognitive Focusing)

Healthy Sleep Habits for Children

Types of Sleep Disorders

Learn more about the symptoms and treatments for the following sleep disorders:

Links and Resources

National Sleep Foundation

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

National Center on Sleep Disorders Research