Sleep apnea and insomnia top the list of sleep-related disorders. Usually a chronic condition that disrupts one’s sleep three or more nights a week, in sleep apnea one often moves out of sleep when the breathing pauses or becomes shallow. These results in poor sleep quality and are one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. Besides, sleep apnea and obesity are inter-related: one condition increases chances of the other. Sadly, the condition often goes undiagnosed and, if untreated, it can increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes.
Insomnia, on the other hand, is easier to diagnose. Simply put, it is a disorder that is characterized by the repeated inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sleep requirements differ from individual to individual, depending on age, lifestyle and other factors. But one clear indication of good night’s sleep is the freshness that one experiences the following morning.