Sleep Disorders

Lack of sleep may be worse for women than men. One Duke study found that women who are poor sleepers tended to be more overweight than men with sleep problems. With two-thirds of women admitting to sleep problems at least two nights per week,... Full Answer

Conditions that are unique to women -- like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause -- affect how well a woman will sleep at night. These factors affect hormone levels, such as progesterone and estrogen, and continuously change throughout a... Full Answer

It is possible to become physically addicted to some sleeping aids and to become psychologically dependent on others. If you take sleeping aids for more than three days, you may feel that you cannot sleep without them. Withdrawal symptoms may... Full Answer

Common causes of acute sleep problems include: Stress (job loss, the end of a relationship, moving, etc.) Jet lag Food allergies Stimulant use, such as caffeine and nicotine Alcohol consumption Exposure to noise, light, or extreme temperatures that... Full Answer

Common causes of chronic sleep problems include: Medical conditions, such as chronic pain, arthritis, asthma, heartburn, obesity, head injury, neurological disease, or cancer Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety Mental arousal, such as... Full Answer

A growing body of research suggests shift work puts your health at risk. And that sleep problems unique to shift workers -- called shift-work sleep disorder -- affect about 10% of all shift workers. Shift work forces your body to go against its... Full Answer

Most people sleep like babies well into their teenage years. Then, around age 18, intermittent sleep problems pop up. After age 30, chronic sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, snoring, and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea), tend to... Full Answer

Your primary care provider may be able to pinpoint what's keeping you from getting the sleep and rest you need and prescribe an effective treatment plan. If you still don't get relief, or the problem requires additional testing, you may be... Full Answer

Of the more than 80 types of sleep disorders, most can be grouped into one of three broad categories: Disturbed sleep: Any condition that causes restless, frequently interrupted, or poor quality sleep. Examples include sleep apnea and restless... Full Answer

Make an appointment with your doctor if you've tried self-help remedies for your sleep problems with no success, or if you are experiencing daytime sleepiness; you gasp, choke, or stop breathing while sleeping; or if you fall asleep while... Full Answer