Review of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are common and may result in significant morbidity. Examples of the major sleep disturbances in primary care practice include insomnia; sleep-disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea; central nervous system hypersomnias, including narcolepsy; circadian rhythm sleep disturbances; parasomnias, such as REM sleep behavior disorder; and sleep-related movement disorders, including restless legs syndrome. Diagnosis is based on meticulous inventory of the clinical history and careful physical examination. In some cases referral to a sleep laboratory for further evaluation with polysomnography, a sleep study, is indicated.