Insomnia is defined as having difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or persistently unrefreshing sleep.  One of the more common sleep disorders, the daytime consequences include not feeling refreshed, irritability, fatigue, and inattention.   Additional information can be obtained at several organizational websites including Mayo Clinic’s website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insomnia/DS00187. 

Narcolepsy is characterized by severe degrees of excessive sleepiness. There may be associated sudden loss of muscle tone and paralysis of voluntary muscles triggered by emotions like laughing.  Patients experience a desire to sleep that is overwhelming and requires frequent naps during the day to feel refreshed.  Individuals can obtain more information from the Narcolepsy Network, an organization formed to help narcolepsy patients, at www.narcolepsynetwork.org. 

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that causes individuals to stop breathing repeatedly, even hundreds of times, during their sleep.  Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway, which disrupts sleep and causes drops of oxygen in the body.  Sleepiness and high blood pressure can result. Information can be obtained from the American Sleep Apnea Association at www.sleepapnea.org. 

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs which is often accompanied by unusual or unpleasant sensations in the legs and is much worse in the evenings; moving the legs provides temporary relief.  RLS most often occurs in the evening and at night which causes a sever disruption to sleep.  The RLS Foundation, a patient organization based in the United States, has more information at www.rls.org. 

Boehringer Ingelheim with partnership from the World Association of Sleep Medicine has developed an educational tool called "Under the Covers of RLS" to help educate the public about RLS.  www.rlsunderthecovers.com.

Chronic Insufficient Sleep is due to life style demands, stress and the rigors of society when individuals receive less than the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night.  Johns Hopkins Medicine provides additional details of this sleep disorder at http://hopkinsneuro.org/sleep/disease.cfm/condition/Chronic_Insufficient_Sleep.