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Dyssomnias are a broad classification of sleep disorder involving difficulty getting to sleep, remaining asleep, or of excessive sleepiness.
Dyssomnias are primary disorders of initiating or maintaining sleep or of excessive sleepiness and are characterized by a disturbance in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep.
Patients may complain of difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, intermittent wakefulness during the night, early morning awakening, or combinations of any of these. Transient episodes are usually of little significance. Stress, caffeine, physical discomfort, daytime napping, and early bedtimes are common factors.
Sleep hygiene focuses on eliminating behaviors that disrupt sleep, particularly for shift workers.
Melatonin, a natural sleep-inducing hormone, can help adjust circadian rhythms in cases like jet lag and shift work.
Light therapy (2500–10,000 lux for 30–120 minutes daily) aids circadian realignment—morning exposure promotes wakefulness, while evening exposure delays sleep onset.
Zeitgebers (“time givers”) such as morning light, meal times, and social interactions help reset internal clocks. Phase shifting gradually adjusts sleep schedules in 15–60 minute increments to align with new time zones or routines. Environmental modifications allow adaptation to non-traditional light-dark cycles, benefiting shift workers.
Lastly, sleep logs track sleep-wake patterns, assisting in diagnosis and treatment while offering insight into individual sleep behaviors. These interventions can effectively regulate circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality.
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