Disorder Name;Symptoms;Prevalence;Treatment
Obstructive Sleep Apnea;Snoring, unusual sleep positions, sleep-related paradoxical breathing, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness;1-5%;Adenotonsillectomy, continual positive airway pressure, nasal steroids
Sleepwalking;Walking during sleep, difficult to awaken during episode, eyes open, confusion or agitation, unusual or dangerous behaviours;17% in children;Reassurance (usually resolves spontaneously), increased total sleep time, scheduled awakenings, bedroom/house safety
Confusional arousals; Inappropriate behaviour, slurred speech, confusion after awakening;17% in 3-13 yr olds, 4.2% in those over 15;Reassurance (usually resolves spontaneously), increased total sleep time, scheduled awakenings, bedroom/house safety
Sleep terrors;Intense fear, screaming/crying, difficult to awaken from episode, potentially dangerous activities;1-6.5%;Reassurance (usually resolves spontaneously), increased total sleep time, scheduled awakenings, bedroom/house safety
Nightmares;Unpleasant dreams, increased sympathetic response (increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate), reluctance to sleep, may be associated with mood disorders;10-50%;Reassurance (usually resolves spontaneously), increased total sleep time, scheduled awakenings, bedroom/house safety, cognitive behavioural therapy
Behavioural insomnia of childhood;Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep if certain conditions are not present (i.e. parent rocking the child to sleep), frequent night-time awakenings, bedtime refusal, frequent night-time awakenings, refusal to return to sleep after awakening;10-30%;Prevention, parental education, and extinction techniques are effective
Delayed sleep phase disorder;Difficulty falling asleep and waking up at socially acceptable times (at least a two-hour delay), “Night owl”;7-16% in adolescents;Sleep hygiene education, regular sleep-wake schedule, avoidance of bright lights before bedtime, melatonin, bright light therapy
Restless legs syndrome;Urge to move the legs with associated discomfort, often begins in the evening, worsens with rest, eases with movement, may be associated with iron deficiency; approximately 2%;Avoidance of stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine, discontinue offending medications (antihistamines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants),iron replacement