Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Sleep Disorders
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A sleep disorder is a condition that abnormally affects the quality, duration, or behavior of a person's sleep.
What is going on in the body?
Sleep disorders fall into three general categories:
Primary sleep disorders are caused by some sort of internal disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle. They are categorized as dyssomnias or parasomnias. Dyssomnias involve abnormalities in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep. Common dyssomnias include:
Parasomnias involve unusual behaviors or body events associated with sleep. These include:
Sleep disorders may also be part of a mental disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Other sleep disorders may be caused by medical conditions, such as hormonal imbalances. They may be caused by abuse of substances, such as cocaine or alcohol.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Each sleep disorder has its own causes and risk factors. However, the following things worsen most sleep disorders:
People who are obese have an increased risk of sleep apnea. Narcolepsy and some other sleep disorders are thought to have a genetic component.