Sleep Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Sleep Disorders?
A sleep specialist, a doctor trained to find and treat sleep problems, usually leads care for sleep disorders. Your own provider can review your sleep history. You may also have a sleep study, a test done during sleep. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are conditions that disturb your normal sleep patterns. There are many types of sleep disorders. Some general types are:
- Insomnia, which is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea.
- Sleep-related movement disorders, such as restless leg syndrome, which involves tingling or prickling in your legs and a strong urge to move them.
- Hypersomnia, which is extreme daytime sleepiness. This includes narcolepsy.
- Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, which are problems falling asleep or waking up at the right times.
- Parasomnia, which is unusual behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, talking, or eating during sleep.
Symptoms
The symptoms depend on the specific disorder. Some signs that you may have a sleep disorder include that:
- You regularly take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep.
- You often wake up many times and cannot fall back asleep, or you wake up too early.
- You often feel sleepy in the day, take many naps, or fall asleep at the wrong times.
- Your bed partner says you snore loudly, snort, gasp, make choking sounds, or stop breathing for short periods.
- You feel creeping or tingling in your legs or arms that eases when you move them, mostly in the evening.
- You feel as though you cannot move or speak for a short time when you first wake up.
Poor sleep can affect your health, your thinking, and your daily life.
Causes and who gets it
Different sleep disorders have different causes. They may include:
- Other health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, nerve disorders, or pain.
- Mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety.
- Medicines and genetics.
Sometimes the cause is unknown. Caffeine, alcohol, and an irregular schedule such as working the night shift can add to sleep problems. Older adults may sleep less, spend less time in deep sleep, and wake easily. Travel across time zones and shift work can also disrupt your sleep schedule.
How doctors diagnose it
To diagnose a sleep disorder, your provider will review your medical and sleep history and do a physical exam. You may also have a sleep study, also called polysomnography. It is a painless test that measures how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems. Your doctor decides if you do the test at a sleep center or at home with a portable device. Other types of sleep studies check how quickly you fall asleep during daytime naps.
Treatment
Treatment depends on which disorder you have. It may include:
- Good sleep habits and other lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- Talk therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy) or relaxation to ease worry about sleep.
- A CPAP machine for sleep apnea.
- Bright light therapy in the morning.
- Sleep aid medicines, or natural products such as melatonin.
Always check with your provider before taking any medicine or supplement. Most sleep aid medicines are generally for short-term use.
When to see a doctor
Talk to a provider if you often have trouble falling or staying asleep, or feel very sleepy during the day. Also talk to a provider if your bed partner sees you stop breathing for short periods during sleep. Untreated sleep disorders can raise your risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and depression. They have also been linked to a higher risk of injury and car accidents.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, a seizure, or sudden weakness, dizziness, or a change in vision.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can review your sleep history, help you arrange a sleep study, and follow your treatment over time.
Common questions
What are the main types of sleep disorders?
Some general types are insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, and parasomnia. Insomnia means trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
Is a sleep disorder the same as not getting enough sleep?
No, they are not the same. Some people who feel tired during the day have a true sleep disorder, while others simply do not get enough sleep.
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study, also called polysomnography, is a painless test that measures how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems. It helps your doctor diagnose sleep disorders.
Can sleep disorders cause other health problems?
Yes, untreated sleep disorders can raise your risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and depression.
What causes sleep disorders?
Different sleep disorders have different causes, such as other health conditions, mental illnesses, medicines, and genetics. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Sleep Disorders
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Sleep disorders
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Sleep Studies
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
