When it comes to figuring out the best time to sleep, it’s more important to set a consistent sleep schedule so that you get enough quality sleep. Read more: What Is the Best Time for Sleeping? Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, and More
Learn about the different types of sleep/wake disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Explore the symptoms,...
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Sleep Quiz: Sleep Hygiene & Sleep Facts
Take our Sleeping Quiz to learn which sleep disorders, causes, and symptoms rule the night. Trouble falling or staying asleep?...
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20 Tips to Beat Insomnia and Sleep Better
Good sleep hygiene leads to better sleep. Avoid insomnia and sleep better by minimizing stress, exercising, and taking proper...
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Sleep Health: 20 Facts About Your Biological Body Clock
Biological clocks control much of human biology, including aging, hormones, sleep, fertility, and seasonal cycles. The body clock...
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Sleep Disorders: How to Get Back to Sleep
Wide awake in the middle of the night? These tips will help you peacefully drift back to sleep.
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Night Shift: Jobs That Can Ruin Your Sleep
Some jobs can lead to sleep problems like insomnia, especially for graveyard and other shift work. Learn how work can disrupt...
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Sleeping Disorders: How Sleep Changes Throughout Your Life
WebMD explores how sleep patterns change as you age.
QUESTION
Why do we sleep? See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Sleep Disorders
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. The National Institutes of Health recommend about 7-9 hours of sleep each night for older, school-aged children, teens, and most average adults; 10-12 for preschool-aged children; and 16-18 hours for newborns. There are two stages of sleep: 1) REM sleep (rapid-eye movement), and 2) NREM sleep (non-rapid-eye movement).
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Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA), and a mixture of central and obstructive apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to activate the muscles of breathing during sleep. OSA is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep. OSA is diagnosed and evaluated through patient history, physical examination and polysomnography. There are many complications related to obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments are surgical and non-surgical.
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Why Am I Having Trouble Sleeping at Night?
Having repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance or poor quality of sleep that occurs despite adequate time and opportunity for sleep, resulting in some form of daytime impairment is called insomnia.
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How to Fall Asleep Fast
If you cannot fall asleep within 20-30 minutes of getting into bed or stay wide awake even after being extremely tired, then here are some tips.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation?
How do you know if you are deprived of sleep? Learn the signs and symptoms of sleep deprivation.
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What Are the Symptoms of Shift Work Sleep Disorder?
A person may have trouble adjusting to a new shift that falls between 7 pm and 6 am. For a few weeks, the person does not face any sleep issues after getting seven to eight hours of sleep during any time of the day.
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