Sleep disorders are among the most prevalent yet most undertreated health conditions in the UK. An estimated 1 in 3 adults experiences poor sleep — but the causes and mechanisms vary enormously, and the right treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. This guide explains the main sleep disorders, how they’re identified, and what treatment looks like.
Chronic Insomnia Disorder
Chronic insomnia — difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or non-restorative sleep, occurring at least 3 nights per week for at least 3 months with daytime impairment — is by far the most common sleep disorder, affecting approximately 10–15% of UK adults. The primary driver is hyperarousal: an overactive stress response system that keeps the brain in a state of heightened alertness at bedtime. First-line treatment is CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) — not sleeping tablets. CBT-I achieves long-term remission in approximately 80% of cases and outperforms medication in long-term outcomes. Components: sleep restriction therapy (temporarily reducing time in bed to build sleep pressure), stimulus control (strengthening the association between bed and sleep), sleep hygiene optimisation, and cognitive restructuring of anxious sleep beliefs. Available digitally (Sleepio is NICE-recommended), via therapists, and NHS talking therapies in some areas.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
OSA occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop and restart. The person often doesn’t fully wake but their sleep is severely fragmented. Features: loud, irregular snoring; observed breathing pauses; excessive daytime sleepiness (falling asleep during conversations, at traffic lights, while reading); non-restorative sleep despite adequate hours; morning headaches. Risk factors: obesity (particularly central), male sex, age over 40, large neck circumference, retrognathia (receded chin), alcohol. Diagnosis: overnight sleep study (polysomnography or home oximetry-based study). Treatment: CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) — a mask delivering pressurised air that splints the airway open. CPAP is dramatically effective for moderate-severe OSA, improving daytime sleepiness, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk, and quality of life. Weight loss is the most effective long-term treatment for OSA in those who are overweight.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
RLS causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, typically in the evening and at rest, with an uncomfortable crawling or tingling sensation relieved by movement. It significantly disrupts sleep onset. Causes: idiopathic (most common); iron deficiency (check ferritin — levels below 75 ng/mL are associated with worsened RLS even without anaemia); dopamine pathway dysfunction; medications (SSRIs, antipsychotics, antihistamines, metoclopramide can worsen RLS). Management: iron correction if deficient; avoiding aggravating medications; warm baths, stretching; dopamine agonists (prescribed) for severe cases.
Hypersomnia and Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate nocturnal sleep requires investigation to exclude: depression, hypothyroidism, OSA, medication side effects, and narcolepsy. Narcolepsy — excessive daytime sleepiness plus cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness triggered by emotion), sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations — is rare but significantly underdiagnosed (average diagnostic delay is 10 years). Diagnosis via specialist sleep study with multiple sleep latency testing. Treatment: sodium oxybate, modafinil, or stimulants under specialist management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Disorders
How do I access sleep disorder treatment on the NHS?
Start with your GP. For insomnia, ask specifically about CBT-I referral or the Sleepio digital programme (NICE recommended). For suspected OSA, your GP can refer to a local sleep clinic for a home sleep study. Many GP practices have long waits — while waiting, Sleepio is available digitally and free in many NHS regions, and private sleep clinics offer faster assessment.
Are sleeping tablets safe long-term?
Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (zopiclone, zolpidem, zaleplon) are effective acutely but produce tolerance and dependency with regular use, impair sleep architecture, carry fall and cognitive risks in older adults, and do not address the underlying cause of insomnia. NICE guidance recommends they be prescribed for short-term use only (2–4 weeks maximum) while CBT-I is initiated. They are not appropriate long-term treatment for chronic insomnia.
My partner says I snore — should I worry?
Loud, irregular snoring — particularly if your partner has observed breathing pauses or you have excessive daytime sleepiness — warrants OSA assessment. Regular snoring without observed apnoeas or daytime sleepiness is usually positional and less concerning. A GP assessment and sleep study if indicated is the appropriate next step.
Browse sleep support products at Huncoat Pharmacy. Related: Sleep Quality, Melatonin Guide, Magnesium for Sleep.
At Huncoat Pharmacy: Private prescription service, Pharmacy First, Browse sleep aids.