What are Dyssomnias?

There are many problems that can be experienced with regard to sleeping. You may have a problem getting to sleep or staying asleep or even waking up. Or possibly the problem is the quality of sleep and whether it is giving you enough rest to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The sleep disorder that seems to get the most attention today is sleep apnea, where you constantly wake up gasping for air due to a blockage in the back of the throat. Insomnia is also a widespread problem that could last for a few days or for much longer. Sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea and narcolepsy are part of the group called Dyssomnia.


According to Wikipedia Dyssomnias are “broad classifications of sleeping disorders that make it difficult to get to sleep, or to remain sleeping. They are primary disorders of initiating or maintaining sleep or of excessive sleepiness and are characterized by a disturbance in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep.” As you can imagine there are quite a few that fit into this category. Besides sleep apnea, insomnia and narcolepsy there is also restless leg syndrome, shift work syndrome, sleep hypersomnia and periodic limb movement. All total (according to Wikipedia) there are about 30 disorders.

Of course the cures for these sleep disorders vary from one to another. Check with your doctor if you feel that you have any problems regarding sleep.

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