With each passing year there is new research showing the sleep disorders are more prevalent and harmful than previously thought. However, we as individuals often overlook the signs and symptoms of an underlying condition that is both serious and treatable. Being aware of the common sleep conditions can help you know when to seek out medical advice and treatment to improve your sleep health.
Sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea experience a partial or complete interruption of breathing during sleep. This is caused by repeated collapse of the upper airway while sleeping. People with this condition are often tired during the day. They may also snore, wake up gasping or choking, or awake with a headache. 17% of the general population is thought to have OSA, but the prevalence is higher in men, in older people, and in those who are overweight or obese. A combination of these factors could see your chance of developing OSA reach as high as 49%.
Those with untreated OSA risk developing cardiovascular disease like heart attack, metabolic disease like diabetes, stroke, and depression. There are also the complications of being overly tired, such as decreased ability to learn and concentrate, poor performance at work, and increased chance of a motor vehicle accident.
OSA is typically diagnosed with a sleep study, which you can do at home or in a sleep lab. The best first step is to speak to your GP who can help organize the sleep study or send you to a specialist sleep physician.
If your study shows that you do have OSA, there are a number of treatment options. More mild forms of the condition can be managed by lifestyle modifications like weight loss and smoking cessation, or by a dental device called a Mandibular Advancement Splint, which pushes the jaw forward to help open the airway at night. The most effective treatment is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP machine. This works by gently blowing pressurized air into your upper airway to prevent collapse. To learn more about CPAP, click here.
Like obstructive sleep apnea, CSA causes a disruption of breathing during sleep. However, in this condition the route cause is the interruption of the brain signals that control the muscles of breathing. In additional to the fatigue that can accompany any form of sleep apnea, CSA sufferers can also wake up feeling breathless, feel short of breath while lying down (orthopnea), or have chest pain. Other medical conditions like heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia and stroke can all contribute to the development of CSA. Central sleep apnea can then cause further cardiovascular problems.
Central sleep apnea can be diagnosed with an in lab sleep study. Specialist physician involvement is important, and CSA patients should see both a cardiologist and a sleep physician to make sure their heart and sleep problems are well managed. Treatment often involves the use of a positive pressure machine like CPAP, a ventilator like bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP), or a more complex device like Adaptive Seroventilation (ASV).
Narcolepsy is a condition characterized by the uncontrollable urge to sleep during the day. While the exact cause is unknown, it is thought that the underproduction of certain brain chemicals (like hypocretin) are responsible for the disorder. Apart from attacks of sleepiness, sufferers can also experience a loss of voluntary muscle tone (cataplexy) and hallucinations that would only occur in health people as they were transitioning from wakefulness to sleep (hypnagogic hallucinations).
You are at higher risk of developing narcolepsy if you have a family history of the condition of if you have had brain injuries in the past. The chances of developing the disorder also increase with age. Sufferers often deal with personal and professional issues, including poor work performance, relationship problems, or stigma due to poor understanding of the disease. You are also at higher risk of injury when you have an episode.
Narcolepsy is diagnosed by a special type of sleep study called a Multiple Sleep Latency Test, or MSLT. This is carried out during the day and looks at how quickly you fall asleep. All patients with narcolepsy should be managed by a specialist sleep physician.
People with restless leg syndrome feel a discomfort in their lower limbs that is only relieved by moving their legs. They will move their legs around more during the transition from wakefulness to sleep and throughout the night. This causes a disruption of sleep, which leads to excessive daytime fatigue.
You are more likely to develop restless leg syndrome if you have a family history of the condition, or if you have another medical problem that effects the nervous system (e.g. peripheral neuropathy that can accompany diabetes).
You will most likely receive your diagnoses based on your description of your symptoms and a physical examination, although you may be asked to do an in-lab sleep study.
There are some medications that can be used to alleviate the symptoms. This condition is best managed by a specialist sleep physician.
This International Nurses Day, we celebrate the extraordinary dedication of Australia’s nurses. Their commitment is unwavering, but the demands of shift work can come at a personal cost: poor sleep health.
When people think about sick days, they often picture the flu or an injury. But one of the biggest silent contributors is something many Australians live with every day: poor sleep.
In today’s around-the-clock economy, shift work is more than common—it’s essential. From nurses to factory staff, truck drivers to retail workers, millions of Australians work outside traditional 9–5 hours. In fact, almost 15–30% of the workforce in industrialised countries is engaged in shift work. While society benefits, workplaces often pay the hidden price: reduced productivity.
When we think of workplace hazards, we imagine heavy machinery, wet floors, or faulty wiring. But one of the biggest hidden risks is something many people bring to work every day: poor sleep.
A bad night’s sleep doesn’t just leave you yawning the next day—it’s costing Australia billions. In fact, a landmark report estimated that in 2016–17, inadequate sleep drained a staggering $66.3 billion from the economy. That figure isn’t just a statistic—it reflects lost productivity, rising healthcare costs, and diminished wellbeing for millions of Australians.
Winter is the season of cosy nights in, hot drinks, and - unfortunately - an increased risk of colds, flu, and other seasonal bugs. For most people, a few days of rest is enough to bounce back. But if you have Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), your body’s recovery may be harder and slower than it should be.
Ever wondered why you feel energised at certain times of the day while others are ready to wind down? Or why some people leap out of bed before sunrise while others come alive after dark? These patterns are shaped by your sleep chronotype – your body’s natural preference for when to sleep, wake, and be most active.
Sleep isn’t just “down time” — it’s one of the three pillars of good health, alongside nutrition and exercise. Poor sleep can increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, while also affecting mood, memory, concentration, and immune function. Over time, it can leave you feeling drained, unfocused, and more vulnerable to illness.
A good night’s sleep is something we all value - but for many Australians, restful slumber is far from guaranteed. Sleep disorders are surprisingly common, and they don’t just leave you feeling tired. They can affect your physical health, mood, concentration, and even your safety.
