Sleep Disorders (Print Version)

Is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep though the night? Do you wake up feeling tired or feel very sleepy during the day, even if you have had enough sleep? You might have a sleep disorder. The most common kinds are

Insomnia - a hard time falling or staying asleep
Sleep apnea - breathing interruptions during sleep
Restless legs syndrome - a tingling or prickly sensation in the legs
Narcolepsy - daytime "sleep attacks"

Nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, sleep talking, head banging, wetting the bed and grinding your teeth are kinds of sleep problems called parasomnias. There are treatments for most sleep disorders. Sometimes just having regular sleep habits can help.

Start Here

In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - Links to PDF - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthysleepfs.pdf
Sleep Disorders(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/sleepdisorders/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/sleepdisordersspanish/htm/index.htm

Overviews

Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm
Sleep and Sleep Disorders(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Sleep/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/especialesCDC/Sueno/
Sleep Disorders(Food and Drug Administration, Office of Women's Health) - http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/sleep.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/Spanish/sleep-Spanish.html
Sleep Disorders(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorders.aspx
Your Guide to Healthy Sleep(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - Large PDF file - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.htm

Latest News

Seniors Cope with Sleep Loss Better Than Young Adults(05/07/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83953.html
Maternal Depression Has Negative Effect on Infants' Sleep(05/06/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83897.html
Genetic Study Confirms the Immune System's Role in Narcolepsy(05/04/2009, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2009/ninds-03.htm
Treating Sleep Disorders May Ease ADHD Symptoms(05/01/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83697.html
Gene Scan Shows Body's Clock Influences Numerous Physical Functions(03/30/2009, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/nichd-30.htm
Recognize Symptoms for Sleep Disorders(02/09/2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SleepDisorders/
More News on Sleep Disorders http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_s.html#sleepdisorders

Diagnosis/Symptoms

Sleep Studies(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/slpst/slpst_whatis.html

Treatment

Common Treatments of Sleep Disorders(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Treatments.aspx
Insomnia Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Instead of Sleeping Pills(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/insomnia-treatment/SL00013/METHOD=print
Prescription Sleeping Pills: What's Right for You?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sleeping-pills/SL00010/METHOD=print
Sedatives(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/insomnia_drugs.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.crbestbuydrugs.org/PDFs/spanish_INSOMNIA.pdf
Sleep Aids(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2421169/k.2494/Sleep_Aids__All_You_Ever_Wanted_to_Knowbut_Were_Too_Tired_to_Ask.htm

Alternative Therapy

Melatonin(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/258.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/258.printerview.html
Questions and Answers about Valerian for Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders(National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) - http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/valerian.asp

Disease Management

Preventing Parasomnias(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=62
Sleep Hygiene: The Healthy Habits of Good Sleep(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Hygiene.aspx

Specific Conditions

Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=28
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec06/ch081/ch081c.html
Disease and Conditions Podcasts(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/pods/podcasts.html
Hypersomnia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hypersomnia/hypersomnia.htm
Insomnia(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/inso/inso_whatis.html
Jet Lag Disorder(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/jet-lag/DS01085/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
Kleine-Levin Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/kleine_levin/kleine_levin.htm
Narcolepsy(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/narcolepsia.htm
Narcolepsy(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm
Night Owls and Morning Larks(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419277/k.CFD2/Night_Owls_and_Morning_Larks.htm
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/periodic_limb_movement_disorder/hic_periodic_limb_movement_disorder.aspx
Shift Work and Sleep(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.4813151/k.5CF2/Shift_Work_and_Sleep.htm
Sleep Strategies for Shift Workers(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2421189/k.DF93/Strategies_for_Shift_Workers.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419057/k.F269/Estrategias_para_Dormir_para_Trabajadores_por_Turnos.htm
Sleep-Related Eating Disorders(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/sleep_disorders/hic_sleep-related_eating_disorders.aspx
Sleepwalking(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.4838975/k.983E/Sleepwalking.htm

Related Issues

Anxiety and Sleep Disorders(Anxiety Disorders Association of America) - http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/FocusOn/Sleep.asp
Bruxism/Teeth Grinding(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bruxism/DS00337/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Caffeine(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2465369/apps/nl/content3.asp?content_id={5B9531C4-FAC0-48D9-B46C-B24F705A04CC}¬oc=1
Also available in Spanish http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2465369/apps/nl/content3.asp?content_id={545CF7F2-537F-4D25-81C0-71BC7062F92E}¬oc=1
Fibromyalgia (and Sleep)(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.4819777/k.5A12/Fibromyalgia_and_Sleep.htm
Foods That Help You Sleep: Does Warm Milk Really Work?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/foods-that-help-you-sleep/AN01582/METHOD=print
Nocturia and Sleep(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.4837925/k.C515/Nocturia_and_Sleep.htm
Pain and Sleep(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2464307/apps/nl/content3.asp?content_id={92971382-3F73-4965-A5E5-56682DA0FA38}¬oc=1
Side Effects of Sleep Drugs(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/features/sleepdrugs073107.html
Sleep and Chronic Disease(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/sleep/chronic_disease.htm
Sleep and Depression(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2422615/k.238A/Ask_the_Sleep_Expert_Sleep_and_Depression.htm
What Is Drowsy Driving?(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.drowsydriving.org/site/c.lqLPIROCKtF/b.3468651/k.7145/What_is_Drowsy_Driving.htm
Work-Site Accommodation Ideas for Individuals with Sleep Disorder(Office of Disability Employment Policy) - http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/sleep.html

Health Check Tools

Interactive Sleep Quiz(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/cgi-bin/tfSleepQuiz.pl
Sleepiness Scale(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/SleepScale.aspx

Tutorials

Sleep and Aging(National Institute on Aging) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/sleepandaging/toc.html
Sleep Disorders(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/sleepdisorders/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/sleepdisordersspanish/htm/index.htm

Videos

Alcohol and Sleep(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_amira_alcohol/qt-hi
Caffeine and Sleep(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_epstein_caffeine
Considering Medication vs. Behavioral Approaches for Treatment of Sleep Problems(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_amira_medication
Discussing Sleep with Your Doctor(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_epstein_discussexam
Drowsy Driving(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_czeisler_driving
Jet Lag and How to Mitigate Its Effects(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_dean_jetlag
Over-the-Counter Sleep Medications(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_epstein_otcmeds
Over-the-Counter Sleep Medications(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_epstein_otcmeds/qt-lo
Shift Work and Ways to Improve Sleep(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_czeisler_shiftbette
Sleep Deprivation and Cardiovascular Risk(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_mullington_cardio
Sleep Problems in Older Adults(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_duffy_problems
Sleep Strategies Later in Life(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_elderstory
Sleep, Learning, and Memory(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_stickgold_learning
Smoking and Sleep(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_epstein_smoking
To Nap or Not?(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_amira_naps
What to Expect from a Sleep Evaluation(Harvard Medical School) - http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/video/sleep07_epstein_evaluation

Games

Star Sleeper(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/starslp/

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Narcolepsy(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Narcolepsy%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Sleep Disorders(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Sleep+Disorders%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Sleep+Initiation+and+Maintenance+Disorders%22

Research

Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Linked to Sleep Disruptions(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3050876

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Helping Alzheimer's patients sleep. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19408407&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Treating chronic insomnia in long-term care: a look at nonpharmacologic... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19343886&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Insomnia: definition and evaluating insomnia and its comorbidities. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19343877&tool=MedlinePlus
Sleep Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=sleep+disorders[majr]+NOT+(sleep+apnea+syndromes[majr]+OR+restless+legs+syndrome[majr])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Dictionaries/Glossaries

Sleep Glossary(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/sleep_disorders/hic_sleep_glossary.aspx

Directories

Locate a Sleep Center by Zip Code(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepcenters.org/

Organizations

American Academy of Sleep Medicine - http://www.aasmnet.org/
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncsdr/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
National Sleep Foundation - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/

Statistics

Sleep Duration as a Correlate of Smoking, Alcohol Use, Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity, and Obesity among Adults: United States, 2004-2006(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/sleep04-06/sleep04-06.htm
Sleep in America Polls(National Sleep Foundation) - Large PDF file - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2417353/k.6764/Sleep_in_America_Polls.htm

MedlinePlus Magazine

Catch your ZZZZZs! - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall08/articles/fall08pg27.html
Sleep Quiz - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/summer07/articles/summer07pg18-19.html
Your Wake-Up Call - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/summer07/articles/summer07pg17-19.html

Children

All about Sleep(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sleep.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/sleep_esp.html
Children and Sleep(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2418873/k.B9AD/Children_and_Sleep.htm
Night Terrors(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sleep/terrors.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/emociones/terrors_esp.html
Nightmares(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/thought/nightmares.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/sentimientos/nightmares_esp.html
Sleep For Kids: Games and Puzzles(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepforkids.org/html/games.html
Sleepwalking(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepwalking.html
Taking the Bite out of Bruxism(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/teeth/bruxism.html
What to Do if You Can't Sleep(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/cant_sleep.html

Teenagers

Common Sleep Problems(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/sleep.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/sleep_esp.html
How Much Sleep Do I Need?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/how_much_sleep.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/how_much_sleep_esp.html
Pointers for Parents(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419119/k.794B/Pointers_for_Parents.htm
Teen Sleep: Why Is Your Teen So Tired?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/teens-health/CC00019/METHOD=print
What You Should Know about Teens, Sleep and Depression(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419147/k.16AA/What_You_Should_Know_About_Teens_Sleep_and_Depression.htm

Men

Sleep & Men(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=19

Women

Sleep & Women(American Academy of Sleep Medicine) - http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=67

Seniors

Aging Gracefully and Sleeping Well(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419289/k.290D/Aging_Gracefully_and_Sleeping_Well.htm
Good Night's Sleep(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/sleep.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/sleep-sp.asp
Sleep and Aging(National Institute on Aging) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/sleepandaging/toc.html

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

Restless Legs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/restlesslegs.html
Sleep Apnea - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepapnea.html
Snoring - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/snoring.html
Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Sleep Disorders is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

Sleep Disorders - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/sleepdisorders.html