Sleep disorders may be due by various factors. Although causes may differ, the end result of all sleep disorders is that the body's natural cycle gets disturbed.
Factors that may lead cause sleep problems are:
Short-term or acute sleep disorders are generally caused by life stresses, such as job loss or change, death of a loved one, or moving; an illness; or environmental factors, such as light, noise, or extreme temperatures.
Long-term or chronic sleep problems (sleep disorders that occur at least three nights a week for a month or longer) can be caused by factors such as depression, stress and pain.
Many studies have suggested that there is a genetic basis for sleep disorders. In other words, sleep disorder may run in families.
People who work at night often experience sleep disorders because they cannot sleep when they start feeling drowsy. Their activities run contrary to their biological clocks.
Certain drugs can interfere with sleep cycle. These may include antidepressants, blood pressure medication, and some over-the-counter cold medicines.
About half of all adults over the age of 65 years experience some sort of sleep disorder. It is not clear if it is a normal part of aging or a result of medications that older people commonly use to treat various ailments that they are suffering from.
Serious sleep disorders can be caused because of medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer, fibrositis syndrome, back problems, and neck problems.
Any impairment in the brain such as central apnoea and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are also potential cause for sleep disorders.
Breathing problems are also a major causative in cases such as obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring.