Sleep Bruxism is a disorder characterized by a grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. The condition is relatively common, and is often referred to as 'nocturnal bruxism,' 'nocturnal tooth-grinding,' and 'nocturnal tooth-clenching.

Central sleep apnea is characterized by the cessation of breath during sleep. It's not as common as obstructive sleep apnea, and is more difficult to diagnose.

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP (C-P-A-P), is a method of applying a positive pressure to the inside of an individual's throat in order to prevent it from collapsing during sleep.

Have you ever fallen asleep at the wrong time, for instance while in a meeting, at a luncheon, or during a football game? If daytime sleepiness seriously interrupts your daily activities, you could be suffering from a sleep disorder.

If you experience difficulty breathing while asleep, you're not alone. Many people have trouble breathing at night, and it can be caused by a number of different illnesses and conditions.

If you have difficulty falling asleep, it may result from a number of causes. One possible cause is a sleep disorder known as insomnia, which is characterized by the inability to sleep.

Sleep fragmentation can result from a variety of behavioral and medical causes. Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine can contribute to fragmented sleep, so it's a good idea to avoid smoking or drinking caffeinated beverages before going to bed.

Hypersomnia is characterized by excessive sleepiness, which may involve extremely deep or prolonged sleep, difficulty awakening, or falling asleep involuntarily.

Insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep, can result from a variety of causes, including stress, anxiety, depression, and drug dependency. The most common form, transient insomnia, typically lasts for a few nights, and is generally instigated by worry, stress, or excitement that interferes with a person's ability to sleep.

A multiple sleep latency test, or MSLT (M-S-L-T), is often used to help diagnose hypersomnia sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. It's usually conducted following an overnight sleep study known as a polysomnogram (paul-ee-SOM-noh-gram), and involves giving a series of nap tests during the day to assess the degree of daytime sleepiness.

If you fall asleep suddenly and unintentionally during the day, you may have a sleeping disorder known as narcolepsy (NAR-co-lep-see). Narcolepsy is characterized by sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep and persistent daytime sleepiness, which can be both embarrassing and dangerous.

When you experience a bad dream, you probably refer to it as a nightmare, but there are actually two types of bad dreams, 'nightmares' and 'night terrors'.

Many people suffer from asthma, a condition in which the breathing passages become narrowed, making it difficult to get adequate oxygen in the lungs. Symptoms include tightness of the chest, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Nighttime coughing is a common problem that affects just about everyone from time to time. A cough is a protective mechanism of the body that helps keep airways clear.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during your sleep. Causes of upper airway obstruction include an excess of tissue in the mouth, nose, or throat; an oversized tongue; and large tonsils.

Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep, or PLMS (P-L-M-S), is characterized by leg movements or jerks that generally occur every 20 to 40 seconds. Although people who have this condition often experience brief disruptions in sleep, they seldom remember waking, and the problem is usually first reported by their bed partners.

If you've ever been told you kick in your sleep, you may have a sleep disorder known as restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome refers to an uncomfortable cramping or crawling sensation involving your legs and at times your arms, which is temporarily relieved by moving the affected limbs.

Sleep and depression appear to be linked in a number of peculiar ways. In some cases, depression can cause a sleep disorder, while in others a sleep disorder may lead to depression.

Research suggests that women may have more difficulty sleeping than men. According to the United States National Sleep Research Foundation, a large number of women report sleep disturbances associated with menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

Sleep apnea (AP-nee-a) is a sleep disorder that's characterized by the interruption of breathing for a limited time during sleep. Although people with sleep apnea generally have no trouble falling asleep, once their breathing is cut off, they often wake up gasping for air.

Sleep deprivation has several characteristics that are different from insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep. The most distinct difference between the two sleeping disorders is that individuals who suffer from sleep deprivation usually have no problem sleeping, but force themselves to stay awake by using stimulants such as coffee, caffeinated sodas, and caffeine pills.

Sleep hygiene refers to sleeping habits or behaviors that promote your health. Most doctors agree that getting quality sleep is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and there are a few simple rules you can follow to help ensure a good night's rest.

Children experience a variety sleep problems, including fragmented sleep, talking during sleep, sleepwalking, difficulty falling asleep, feeling sleepy during the day, having nightmares or sleep terrors, and bedwetting.

Traditional sleepwalking typically occurs in the first half of the night, and the sleepwalker usually doesn't remember any dreaming associated with the event.

Snoring is a common problem caused by the narrowing of the upper breathing passages and the vibration of the tissues in the throat. Loud snoring can be a problem for both the person snoring and others trying to sleep nearby.

A polysomnogram (paul-ee-SOM-noh-gram) is a scientific evaluation of sleep behavior based upon information provided by monitoring physical, chemical, and electrical changes in the body.

Breathing problems during sleep are usually first recognized by others who observe you while you're sleeping. A common breathing problem that affects many people is sleep apnea (AP-nee-uh).