Sleep is a natural, recurring state of altered consciousness and reduced responsiveness that is essential for the overall well-being and functioning of living organisms, particularly animals and humans. It is characterized by specific patterns of brain activity, distinct sleep stages, and changes in physiological processes.

As important as sleep is to the human existence, there are several factors that may affect our quality of sleep. These factors lead to a condition known as sleep-related disorders. Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the ability to have restful, consistent, and healthy sleep. They include a range of disruptions to sleep patterns, including difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing quality rest.

Common Sleep Disorders:

1. Insomnia: this is described as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep, often linked to stress, anxiety, or other underlying conditions.
2. Sleep Apnea: sleep apnea is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to brief awakenings. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway is blocked, while central sleep apnea involves a failure of the brain to signal breathing.
3. Narcolepsy: Involves excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, and vivid hallucinations during sleep onset or awakening.
4. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Causes discomfort or an irresistible urge to move the legs, often interfering with sleep.
5. Parasomnias: Include abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, and sleep-related eating disorder.

Factors that may contribute to sleep-disorders

Factors that may contribute to sleep-related disorders include but are not limited to the following;

1. Stress and Anxiety
2. Medical Conditions like chronic pain, respiratory disorders, or neurological issues can disrupt sleep.
3. Medications
4. Lifestyle Habits: Poor sleep hygiene, irregular sleep schedules, and excessive use of electronic devices can contribute to sleep disturbances.

How many people have sleep disorders in 2023?

Information from the National Library of Medicine shows that about 50-70 million Americans suffer with wakefulness and sleep disorders.

How many hours of sleep is needed daily?

The amount of sleep needed daily varies by age group. Information from the CDC shows that Newborns, aged 0–3 months, need about 14–17 hours of sleep according to the National Sleep Foundation, while the American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not provide a specific recommendation for this group.

Moving into the infant stage (4–12 months), the advised sleep duration is 12–16 hours per 24 hours, including naps. Toddlers, aged 1–2 years, are encouraged to target 11–14 hours of sleep per 24 hours, including naps. The preschool age group (3–5 years) is recommended to aim for 10–13 hours of sleep per 24 hours, with naps.

As children progress to the school-age bracket (6–12 years), the recommended sleep duration narrows to 9–12 hours per 24 hours. During adolescence, teenagers (13–18 years) are advised to seek 8–10 hours of sleep per 24 hours.

As individuals transition into adulthood (18–60 years), the general guideline is to aim for 7 or more hours of sleep per night. The age group of 61–64 years is encouraged to secure 7–9 hours of sleep, and for those aged 65 years and older, the recommendation is to target 7–8 hours of sleep per night.

As important as sleep is, information from Philips Sleep survey shows that about 62% of adults globally report experiencing difficulties in achieving restful sleep when they retire to bed.

In the 2020 Sleep in America Poll by the National Sleep Foundation, over a third of adults revealed they don't get the recommended amount of sleep. They feel sleepy for at least half the week, affecting their mood, mental sharpness, and daily productivity. Survey participants noted that fatigue impacts work, exercise, and relationships with friends and family.

Sleep statistics by age

American Academy of Pediatrics over 50% of teenagers aged 15 and above get less than seven hours of sleep each night, with approximately 85% of teens falling short of the recommended 8-10 hours. The age bracket of 14-15 appears pivotal, marking a significant decline in nightly sleep hours for adolescents.

Another information published by Norwegian health and wellness publication, Helsestart shows that Over 25% of adults between 18 and 24 face insomnia every night, marking the highest insomnia rate among all age groups in the United States. This insight comes from a recent survey conducted by the.

Sleep statistics by gender

Information from Naplab Women experience more sleep related problems than men. Several factors contribute to this disparity, including hormonal fluctuations, life stages such as pregnancy and menopause, and higher prevalence of conditions like insomnia and restless legs syndrome among women.

Hormonal changes, particularly during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, can impact women's sleep. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels may lead to changes in sleep architecture, contributing to difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.

Pregnancy introduces additional challenges, with discomfort, hormonal shifts, and increased frequency of nocturnal awakenings affecting sleep quality. Postpartum sleep disturbances may also arise due to the demands of caring for a newborn.

Menopause brings its own set of sleep-related issues. Hormonal changes, hot flashes, and night sweats can disrupt sleep for many women during this transitional phase.

Sleep statistics by profession

According to the CDC the highest rates of short sleep duration were observed in production (42.9%), healthcare support (40.1%), and healthcare practitioners and technical (40.0%) occupations. Earlier studies have indicated that these three groups also exhibit some of the highest rates of alternative shift work.

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Sources

Hakami, A., Hakami, R. A., Al-Amer, M. A., Sharahili, L. M., Zuqayl, A. H., Hakami, T. K., & Dighriri, I. M. (2023). Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among the General Population of the Jazan Region of Southwest Saudi Arabia. Cureus, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46218

Katherine M. Keyes, Julie Maslowsky, Ava Hamilton, John Schulenberg; The Great Sleep Recession: Changes in Sleep Duration Among US Adolescents, 1991–2012. Pediatrics March 2015; 135 (3): 460–468. 10.1542/peds.2014-2707

Alhola P, Polo-Kantola P. Sleep deprivation: Impact on cognitive performance. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2007;3(5):553-67. PMID: 19300585; PMCID: PMC2656292.

Global Sleep survey. https://www.sleephealth.org/sleep-health/the-state-of-sleephealth-in-america/. Accessed 1/12/2024.