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Insomnia
About 1/3 of the adult population is affected by this condition, and it is more common in women. Insomnia is characterized by one of four symptoms: (1) Difficulty falling asleep, (2) Waking up frequently during the night, (3) Waking up too early, and
(4) Waking up feeling tired even after a full night's sleep. It can be transient, periodic, or chronic. Click here for more information about insomnia and here for information about insomnia in women.
Sleep Apnea
This is a condition in which breathing is briefly and intermittently interrupted during sleep. A person partially awakes when normal breathing resumes as the brain registers that too much carbon dioxide has built up in the blood stream. The incidence of sleep apnea is on the rise, and is associated with obesity and irregular structure of the soft palate and tongue. These frequent arousals during the night interrupt the sleep cycle and may lead to daytime drowsiness and even dozing off in inappropriate situations, such as in class or at work. Click here for more information about this condition.
Bruxism
This condition is characterized by grinding and clenching of the teeth, both during sleep and while awake. Estimates indicate that 10-20% of the population experiences this condition. For more information about bruxism, check out the National Institutes of Health website, and a site that addresses teeth grinding from a dental perspective.
Narcolepsy
This is a neurological disorder in which REM sleep is thought to intrude while a person is awake, causing excessive daytime sleepiness; unexpected, brief periods of muscle weakness or complete paralysis; and "hypnagogic hallucinations," very realistic dreamlike images that occur right upon falling asleep. People also commonly experience "sleep attacks," and will suddenly fall asleep for anywhere from 30 seconds to more than half an hour. Click here for more information about narcolepsy.