Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) Archive

Women are less likely than men to experience loud snoring or pauses in breathing witnessed by a bed partner, two classic symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that occurs when throat muscles relax during sleep, partially or completely blocking the airway.

Social media influencers blame “high cortisol” for an array of problems, from stubborn belly fat to poor sleep. But true cortisol disorders are rare and most people have no evidence that abnormal cortisol levels are driving such problems.

A small, short-term 2026 study suggests that people who schedule their exercise to align with their chronotype—the body’s natural sleep and wake cycle—may lower their heart risk factors more than those who exercise at times that don’t align with their chronotype.

Sleep comes in two different forms: REM (dreaming) and non‑REM (quiet) sleep. In quiet sleep, your brain shifts from chaotic awake activity into calm, rhythmic waves as if a switch has been flipped. In a healthy night, you glide through three deepening stages of non‑REM (N1, N2, N3 slow‑wave sleep) before diving into vivid REM dreams.

Insomnia is linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (afib), a heart rhythm disorder, according to a 2026 study. Insufficient sleep may trigger physiological and hormonal changes that may leave people more susceptible to afib.

Do you wake up tired, struggle to fall asleep, or rely on caffeine to get through the day? Your daily habits may be playing a bigger role in your sleep quality than you realize. This quick quiz will help you evaluate your sleep hygiene from your bedtime routine and screen use to exercise, stress, and sleep environment.

Links between restless legs and iron, caffeine, and alcohol are emerging. See which dietary tweaks might be worth trying.

People who maintain or improve their heart-related risks over time are less likely to develop calcification of the aortic valve, which may lead to aortic stenosis.

Interrupted sleep may be caused by age; lifestyle habits, such as drinking alcohol too close to bedtime; medication side effects; or an underlying condition.

A 2026 study found that sleeping 7.3 hours on weeknights may be associated with better blood sugar regulation by improving insulin sensitivity—how efficiently cells respond to insulin and absorb sugar from the bloodstream.