Dyssomnia

Dyssomnias are a broad classification of sleeping disorders involving difficulty getting to sleep, remaining asleep, or of excessive sleepiness.

Dyssomnias 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.

Patients may complain of difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, intermittent wakefulness during the night, early morning awakening, or combinations of any of these. Transient episodes are usually of little significance. Stress, caffeine, physical discomfort, daytime napping, and early bedtimes are common factors.

Types

There are over 30 recognized kinds of dyssomnias. Major groups include:

• Intrinsic sleep disorders – 12 disorders recognized, including
  • idiopathic hypersomnia,
  • narcolepsy,
  • periodic limb movement disorder,
  • restless legs syndrome,
  • sleep apnea,
  • sleep state misperception.
• Extrinsic sleep disorders – 13 disorders recognized, including
  • alcohol-dependent sleep disorder,
  • food allergy insomnia,
  • inadequate sleep routine.
• Circadian rhythm sleep disorders, both intrinsic and extrinsic – 6 disorders recognized, including
  • advanced sleep phase syndrome,
  • delayed sleep phase syndrome,
  • jetlag,
  • shift work sleep disorder.

See also

• Somnolence
• Parasomnia