Sleep Disorders in Special Populations

As with any health condition, sleep disorders can impact certain groups of people differently. Sleep problems also vary by age, gender, job type, and ethnicity.

Children and teens

Up to half of all children experience sleep problems at one time or another. These problems include resisting going to sleep, sleepwalking, sleep talking, and nightmares. These problems usually go away by the teen years. Teens often develop problems sleeping and waking at socially acceptable times, which can be managed with good sleep habits.

Only about 5 out of 100 children and teens actually have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.¹

Pregnant and menopausal women

The hormone fluctuations common to women during pregnancy and menopause often lead to sleep problems. Insomnia is more common in women than in men. This may be because women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, which can lead to sleep problems. It may also be caused by long-term sleep deprivation caused by taking care of others before self.

Insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome all may get worse during pregnancy. Sleep issues often continue for some time after the birth of a child.

During menopause, lower estrogen levels can lead to hot flashes that disrupt sleep. While sleep apnea is more common in men overall, menopause increases the chances that a woman will develop sleep apnea, which decreases the quality of sleep and increases the chances of developing heart disease.²

People with chronic conditions

Many chronic health conditions can cause sleep disorders or make existing sleep problems worse. One study found that people with angina, arthritis, or depression also often had sleep problems. The study also found other conditions tied to sleep disorders, such as asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and stroke. Many long-term health conditions have been tied to sleep disorders, including:^3-6

• Brain disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease
• Angina
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Lung disease
• Obesity
• Mental illness such as depression or anxiety
• Substance abuse disorders
• Thyroid problems
• Chronic pain

Sometimes, the medicines taken for a long-term health condition aggravate insomnia or restless legs syndrome.^3-6

People with PTSD or brain injury

Nearly everyone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiences insomnia and nightmares. Even after successful treatment for PTSD, insomnia often continues.

People with a brain injury, such as concussion, can develop insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep apnea, teeth grinding, and nightmares. After a brain injury, many people report needing more sleep than before.⁷

Older age

After age 50, formerly good sleepers may find it harder to sleep and those with existing sleep problems may find it gets worse. In part, this is caused by the natural process of aging. People over 65 generally only require 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, the least of any age group.

Many of the chronic health conditions of aging cause pain or trouble breathing. This can also trigger problems getting to sleep, staying asleep, or make sleep less restful. Getting up to go to the bathroom in the night interrupts sleep. The hot flashes and night sweats of menopause wake up women. Heart disease, diabetes, and stroke are all associated with sleep problems.⁵