Sleep disorders related to deployment in active duty service members and veterans

Abstract

Active duty service members (ADSM) are a unique population at risk for complex health issues; among the most frequent are sleep disorders. Sleep disturbances are prevalent, debilitating, and persistent in ADSM following combat deployments. Multiple factors associated with deployment and combat operations place ADSM at risk for acute sleep disturbances. If untreated, acute sleep disturbances can become chronic sleep disorders that result in physical and mental impairments and decreased military readiness. Sleep disorders are frequently comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, they are independent clinical disorders which require specific therapy. The consequences of sleep disorders are increasingly recognized in both ADSM and veterans and pose an unprecedented challenge to medical providers who care for these populations.