Why 70 Million Americans Can't Sleep at Night

70 million americans can't sleep

Can’t sleep? You’re not alone! The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep or wakefulness disorder.  In addition, National Health Interview Survey Data indicates that nearly 30 percent of adults report an average of six hours or less of sleep – even though the average adult requires seven to eight hours of sleep to maximize his or her productivity.

What can you do to get great night’s sleep? First you need to figure out what’s stopping you from getting quality sleep! Here’s a closer look at some common sleep disorders. If any one of these sleep disorders match the symptoms you experience at night, speak to a health professional about possible next steps.

Insomnia: A sleep disorder that can make it tough to fall asleep, sleep through the night or both. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) notes treating insomnia may require you to alter your sleep habits, or lifestyle changes may be necessary. There are two types of insomnia:

  • Acute – May last for days or weeks and frequently occurs due to work stress, family pressures and other trauma.
  • Chronic– Usually lasts for a month or longer and may be the result of a medical condition or medicine. 

Bruxism: Involuntarily grinding or clenching of the teeth while sleeping.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS): The inability to awaken and fall asleep at socially acceptable times but no problem with sleep maintenance, a disorder of circadian rhythms.

Hypopnea syndrome: Abnormally shallow breathing or slow respiratory rate while sleeping.

Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) frequently resulting in falling asleep spontaneously and unwillingly at inappropriate times. Also often associated with cataplexy, a sudden weakness in the motor muscles that can result in collapse to the floor.

Idiopathic hypersomnia: a primary, neurologic hypersomnia, which shares many similarities with narcolepsy.

Night terror:  Also known as pavor nocturnus, sleep terror disorder: abrupt awakening from sleep with behavior consistent with terror.

Parasomnias: Disruptive sleep-related events involving inappropriate actions during sleep; sleep walking and night-terrors are examples.

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): Also known as nocturnal myoclonus. This disorder is the sudden involuntary movement of arms and/or legs during sleep, for example kicking the legs.

Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD): Acting out violent or dramatic dreams while in REM sleep, sometimes injuring bed partner or self (REM sleep disorder or RSD).

Restless legs syndrome (RLS): An irresistible urge to move legs. RLS sufferers often also have PLMD. Although RLS affects many men and women across the United States, the root cause of this syndrome is unknown.

Situational circadian rhythm sleep disorders: shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) and jet lag.

Sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea: Obstruction of the airway during sleep, causing lack of sufficient deep sleep, often accompanied by snoring. Other forms of sleep apnea are less common. When air is blocked from entering the lungs, the individual unconsciously gasps for air and sleep is disturbed.

Sleep paralysis: is characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly before or after sleep. Sleep paralysis may be accompanied by visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations. Not a disorder unless severe.

Sleepwalking or somnambulism: Engaging in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness (such as eating or dressing), which may include walking, without the conscious knowledge of the subject.

Nocturia: A frequent need to get up and go to the bathroom to urinate at night. It differs from Enuresis, or bed-wetting, in which the person does not arouse from sleep, but the bladder nevertheless empties.

Somniphobia: A cause of sleep deprivation. Somniphobia is a dread/ fear of falling asleep or going to bed. Signs of illness include anxiety and panic attacks during attempts to sleep and before it.

Kleine-Levin syndrome: “Sleeping Beauty” syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring periods of excessive amounts of sleeping and eating.

Improve Your Sleep Quality

Sleep disorders represent more extreme experience of poor-quality sleep. A lot of people could simply invest a quality bed and see a marked improvement in their sleep quality. At  Sit ‘n Sleep, our sleep specialists have an average of 8+ years’ experience matching people to mattresses that fit their sleep habits and investment price point. To learn more about our assortment of mattresses and which mattress could best fit your sleep needs,  please visit any of our Southern California superstores.