Lots of things can affect our sleep habits, including pregnancy, heat, obesity, age, and stress. However, if you have trouble falling to sleep, staying asleep, or wake up feeling worn-out, you may be suffering from a parasomnia or have a sleep disorder. Parasomnias are sleep problems that include head banging, grinding teeth, sleepwalking, sleep talking, wetting the bed, night terrors, and nightmares. The most common sleep disorders are:

• Restless legs syndrome – a tickly or bristly feeling in the legs
• Insomnia – the inability to fall or stay asleep
• Narcolepsy – the inability to stay awake during the day
• Sleep apnea – breathing pauses during sleep

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Keywords: sleep disorders, parasomnias, sleepwalking, night terrors, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, health care needs, psychologist, help

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Online Resources

what are sleep disorders and parasomnias?
Web MD

A guide to sleep disorders
Web MD

Sleep patterns change with aging
Medline Plus

How do you know if you have insomnia?
National Sleep Foundation

Types of sleep disorders
National Sleep Foundation