What Are the Symptomsof Sleep Disorders?

Insomnia

Insomnia is itself often a symptom of other problems. Typicalpatterns of insomnia include the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep atnight, waking up earlier than usual, and daytime fatigue. Most people withinsomnia don't fall asleep in inappropriate situations, like driving. If thisdoes occur, it may signal that a medical disorder (such as sleep apnea) is thecause of insomnia.

Sleep Apnea

Excessive daytime sleepiness is the primary symptom. Some peoplewill deny sleepiness but feel fatigued. Other symptoms are snoring, snorting,and gasping sounds when you sleep -- often first noticed by a sleeping partner.Restless or unrefreshing sleep is also typical, as are headaches in the morning.

Narcolepsy

Excessive sleepiness during the day, alleviated by naps, is asymptom of narcolepsy. Dreaming during naps and experiencing dream-likehallucinations as you fall asleep are also warning signs. Loss of musclecontrol (called cataplexy) that occurs with emotion, such as laughing or anger,and the inability to move as you're going to sleep or waking up (called sleepparalysis) are also symptoms.

Restless Leg Syndrome

The primary warning sign is the irresistible urge to move yourlegs shortly after you get into bed, in the middle of the night afterawakening, or even when wide awake during the day. It usually feels better ifyou get up to walk around or rub your leg. "Creepy-crawly" ortwitching feeling in your calves, feet, thighs, or arms are symptoms ofrestless leg syndrome -- the sensations of discomfort can be quite varied.Kicking or twitching leg movements during sleep, and sometimes while awake, maybe warning signs.

Call Your Doctor If:

· Your sleep does notimprove with self-help techniques, such as establishing good sleep hygiene,cutting down on caffeine, exercising, and using relaxation techniques.

· You think your sleepproblems may be related to an underlying condition, such as depression or heartfailure.

· You snore loudly or makesnorting or gasping noises while you sleep -- or your partner observes thesethings while you're asleep.

· You fall asleep doingnormal activities, such as talking or driving.

· You regularly feelunrefreshed on awakening and are constantly fatigued. Sleep disorders are amongthe many possible causes for fatigue.

· You suspect yourmedication is causing your sleep problems.