Sleep is when your body and brain rest so you can be ready for the day. Sleep disorders are problems that make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel refreshed after sleeping.
Imagine your bed is a cozy spaceship, and every night you take off on a journey through dreamland. But if you have a sleep disorder, it's like something goes wrong with your spaceship, maybe the engines won't start, or there are too many stops along the way, or you wake up in the middle of the trip.
What sleep disorders feel like
Sometimes, kids (and grown-ups!) can’t fall asleep because their brain is still thinking about the day. It’s like trying to go to bed with a radio playing loudly, you just can't switch off!
Other times, people might wake up many times during the night, or they might not feel tired at all even after sleeping for hours.
Why it matters
Getting enough good sleep helps your body grow and your brain learn. When sleep disorders happen, it’s like your spaceship has a glitch, you still go to bed, but the trip isn’t as fun or helpful as it should be.
Examples
- A child who can't fall asleep at night and is tired during the day
- An adult who snores loudly and feels out of breath while sleeping
- Someone who suddenly falls asleep during a meeting or dinner
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See also
- What is Sleep fragmentation?
- What are sleep patterns?
- What is sleep?
- What Is the Difference Between Light Sleep and Deep Sleep?
- What is Snoring?