Common sleep problems include:
PLMD and RLS
People with periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) or restless legs syndrome (RLS)
find their sleep is disrupted by leg (or, less commonly, arm) movements, leaving them
tired or irritable from lack of sleep.
In the case of PLMD, these movements are involuntary twitches or jerks: They're
called involuntary because the person isn't consciously controlling them and is often
unaware of the movement.
People with RLS actually feel physical sensations in their limbs, such as tingling,
itching, cramping, or burning. The only way they can relieve these feelings is by
moving their legs or arms to get rid of the discomfort.
Doctors can treat PLMD and RLS. For some people, treating an iron deficiency can
make them go away; others might need to take other types of medication.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A person with obstructive sleep apnea temporarily stops breathing during sleep
because the airway becomes narrowed or blocked. One common cause of obstructive sleep
apnea is enlarged tonsils or adenoids (tissues located in the passage that connects
the nose and throat). Being overweight or obese also can put someone at risk for it.
People with this sleep disorder may snore, have difficulty breathing, and even
sweat heavily during sleep. Because it disrupts sleep, a person may feel extremely
sleepy or irritable during the day. People who show signs of obstructive sleep apnea,
such as loud snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness, should talk to their doctor.
Reflux
In gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), stomach acid moves backward up into the esophagus, producing the uncomfortable,
burning sensation known as heartburn. GERD symptoms can be worse when someone is lying
down. Even if a person doesn't notice the feelings of heartburn during sleep,
the discomfort it causes can still interfere with the sleep cycle.
Nightmares
Most teens have nightmares
once in a while. But frequent nightmares can disrupt sleep patterns by waking someone
during the night. The most common triggers for more frequent nightmares are emotional,
such as stress or anxiety. Other things that can trigger them include certain
medicines, and consuming drugs or alcohol. Sleep deprivation (getting too little sleep)
also can lead to nightmares.
If nightmares are hurting your sleep, it's a good idea to talk to a parent, doctor,
or counselor.
Narcolepsy
People with narcolepsy are often very sleepy during the day and have sleep "attacks"
that may make them suddenly fall asleep, lose muscle control, or see vivid dreamlike
images while dozing off or waking up. Someone's nighttime sleep may be disrupted,
with frequent awakenings throughout the night.
Narcolepsy can be disturbing because people fall asleep without warning, making
it hazardous to do things like drive. A person's school, work, or social life can
be affected by the unusual sleep patterns.
Narcolepsy isn't common diagnosed in teens, but many cases go unrecognized. People
usually first begin to have symptoms between the ages of 10 and 25, but may not be
properly diagnosed until 10–15 years later. Doctors usually treat narcolepsy with
medicines and lifestyle changes.
Sleepwalking
It's rare for teens to walk in their sleep; most sleepwalkers are kids. Sleepwalking,
which may run in families, tends to happen most often when a person is sick,
has a fever, is not getting enough sleep, or is feeling stress.
Because most sleepwalkers don't sleepwalk often, it's not usually a serious problem.
Sleepwalkers tend to go back to bed on their own and don't usually remember sleepwalking.
(Sleepwalking often happens during the deeper sleep that takes place during stages
3 and 4 of the sleep cycle.)
Sometimes, though, a sleepwalker will need help moving around obstacles and getting
back to bed. It's also true that waking sleepwalkers can startle them (but it isn't
harmful), so try to guide a sleepwalker back to bed gently.