Common Sleep Disorders

Common Sleep Disorders:

• Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Sleep apnea syndrome, a serious potentially life-threatening breathing disorder, is far more common than previously believed. Symptoms include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, decreased intellectual capacity, personality change, morning headaches, sexual impotence and enuresis (involuntary discharge of urine, especially while asleep). Because the condition may lead to irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, heart attacks and stroke, early detection and treatment are important.

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two and occurs when air cannot flow into and out of a person's nose or mouth while the patient makes effort to breathe. Victims of strokes and congestive heart failure may suffer from central apnea in which there are periods of no airflow and a lack of effort to breathe.

• Insomnia

Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep, waking up during the night with difficulty returning to sleep, waking up too early in the morning or unrefreshing sleep. Those with insomnia are four times as likely to suffer from depression than people who sleep well. The most common of all sleep disorders, the malady was reported by more than half of Americans in a national poll; the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) 1990 "Sleep In America" survey found that 56 percent report experiencing insomnia a few nights a week or more, while 22 percent suffer through it almost nightly.
• Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, a chronic, neurological sleep disorder sometimes associated with genetic factors, is characterized by irresistible sleepiness, cataplexy (drop attacks), sleep paralysis and/or hypnologic hallucinations. The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, even after adequate nighttime sleep. A person with the disorder may become drowsy or fall asleep at inappropriate times and places, without warning.
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome is suggested by daytime sleepiness, insomnia and/or abnormal unintentional repetitive movements during sleep or while at rest. Sensations include feelings of creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling and/or pain in the calf area, thigh or ankle. These feelings improve with movement.
• Night Terrors (Sleep terrors, Pavor Nocturnus)

Night terrors are characterized by sudden bolting up, crying and/or showing features of acute terror during sleep.
• Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

Sleepwalking is defined as recurrent episodes of arising from sleep and performing movements such as getting out of bed and walking while still in a sleep state.
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorders

REM Sleep Behavior Disorders symptoms include violent or active movements during dreaming.