Sleep disturbance

Sleep disturbance is any disruption in the amount, timing or quality of sleep that leaves a person poorly rested or impairs daytime function.

It is a broad umbrella covering difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, waking too early, unrefreshing sleep and irregular sleep schedules. Causes range from stress, pain, caffeine and screen use to formal disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and circadian rhythm disorders. Short-term disturbance is nearly universal; persistent disturbance is associated with mood problems, reduced concentration, accidents and long-term health risks.

Assessment uses sleep diaries and questionnaires such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and may include actigraphy or an overnight sleep study when a specific disorder is suspected. Identifying the underlying cause guides care. Cannabinoids have been studied for sleep disturbance in several conditions, and reviews describe the evidence as limited and inconsistent.