Symptoms of sleep disorders: 10 ways to spot common sleep problems before it takes a toll on your life

Health risks of sleep disorders: Sleep disorders often hide behind everyday problems like forgetfulness, stress, poor work performance, or mood swings (Image: Canva)

If you're constantly tired, irritable, or feel like you're walking through life in a fog, your sleep may be trying to tell you something. Sleep disorders do not mean trouble falling asleep, they affect how your brain and body function every day. These conditions can crawl in quietly, but they often leave signs. Spotting them early can save you from physical and mental exhaustion.

A sleep disorder is a condition that regularly impacts your ability to get healthy, restful sleep. Unlike the occasional restless night, these issues are chronic and disruptive. The causes include medical problems, stress, lifestyle habits, or even neurological conditions.

Some sleep disorders, like insomnia or sleep apnea, are common and manageable. Others, such as narcolepsy or REM sleep behaviour disorder, are more complex. These prevent your body from fully recharging, and that slowly wears you down; emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Health risks of sleep deprivation: Chronic sleep deprivation affects emotional regulation and may trigger or worsen mental health conditions (Image: Canva)

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Your sleep affects everything from your heart, brain, mood, metabolism, and immune system. Lack of it can hamper your health. Sleep disorders often hide behind everyday problems like forgetfulness, stress, poor work performance, or mood swings. According to a study in PubMed, sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea can negatively impact quality of life, even in the early stages. Often, people blame ageing or burnout, when it’s actually their sleep failing them. Left unchecked, these disorders increase risks for heart disease, depression, accidents, and even neurodegenerative diseases. That’s why paying attention to the early signs is crucial.

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10 early symptoms of sleep disorder:

• You’re always tired despite sleeping enough: Feeling groggy after 7–8 hours of sleep may signal poor sleep quality or interrupted sleep cycles.
• You fall asleep unintentionally during the day: Napping during conversations, meetings, or while watching TV may indicate disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy.
• Loud snoring or gasping in your sleep: If others notice you snore loudly or stop breathing at night, it could point to obstructive sleep apnea.
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep: Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep or waking up frequently may be a sign of insomnia.
• Leg discomfort or urge to move at night: Uncomfortable tingling or twitching in the legs at night could indicate restless legs syndrome.
• Frequent nightmares or sleepwalking: Regular episodes of intense dreams, walking, or other behaviors while asleep may be signs of parasomnia.
• Waking up too early and can’t fall back asleep: This is often a red flag for depression-linked insomnia or other circadian rhythm disruptions.
• You can’t focus or feel brain fog: Cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or irritability often stem from poor-quality sleep.
• Mood swings or depression without explanation: Chronic sleep deprivation affects emotional regulation and may trigger or worsen mental health conditions.
• Partner notices abnormal nighttime behaviours: Kicking, talking, or acting out dreams in your sleep could point to REM sleep behaviour disorder or other conditions.