Daytime Sleepiness

Some people with daytime sleepiness never feel fully alert or fall asleep at times when they should be able to stay awake.  Many of these individuals have breathing problems that are dangerous and can cause high blood pressure and heart disease.  These people snore very loudly and have long pauses in their breathing, followed by a sudden loud snore or gasping sound.  Others experience sudden muscular weakness when surprised, angered or suddenly amused. 

Insomnia
Some people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.  These problems, called “insomnia” have many different causes.  For example, it may be related to leg discomfort and restlessness, leg movements during sleep or breathing difficulties.  Sometimes it is related to depression, anxiety or poor sleep habits.  For proper treatment, the cause must be determined.   
 

Other Sleep Problems

Sleepwalking, sleep talking, frequent nightmares and unusual behaviors during sleep affect children as well as adults.  Some of these problems may be dangerous or be the result of another sleep disorder.