According to the NIH, there are 40 million or more Americans that suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year. This is not counting those that experience occasional sleeping problems. Almost every one experiences short-term insomnia, where we struggle to go to sleep. The NIH estimates that $16 billion in medical costs are directly related to sleep disorders each year not counting the indirect costs due to lost productivity and other factors.
There are more than 70 sleep disorders. There are treatments for most sleep disorders. If you have a chronic sleeping disorder you should consult a doctor.
Here is a list of the most common sleep disorders:
Insomnia
If you suffer from insomnia you have a hard time falling or staying asleep. Stress, diet, aging or many other factors can cause insomnia and this condition  affects our ability to work or to relate to others. 60 million Americans a year have insomnia frequently or for extended periods of time. Longer term or chronic insomnia can lead to more serious conditions. As you get older you are more likely to suffer from insomnia.  4 out of every 10 women and 3 out of every 10 men will suffer from extended periods of insomnia.
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Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy has been described as a “sleep attack”. During a normal day, someone who suffers from narcolepsy will fall asleep for no apparent reason. This condition affects an estimated 250,000 Americans. These attacks can last from several seconds to more than 30 minutes.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), is a condition where your legs or feet have an urge to move about in order to relieve an unpleasant sensation like crawling, prickling, or tingling. As many as 12 million Americans are affected by this disorder.
Sleep Apnea
If your breathing is interrupted during sleep you have sleep apnea. An estimated 18 million Americans have this condition although most people don’t know they have it. This condition can occur when the windpipe collapses during breathing due to muscles relaxation. This problem is called obstructive sleep apnea. Another cause of sleep apnea is when neurons that control breathing malfunction. There are many treatments for sleep apnea, but if it is serious you should see a doctor. Doctors and advise surgery or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in which a face mask is attached to a tube and a machine that blows pressurized air into the mask to keep the airway open.
For more information, go to:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html