Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well and feel rested. These disorders can range from difficulty falling or staying asleep to excessive daytime sleepiness, and can have significant impacts on quality of life, physical and mental health, and daily functioning. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that up to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, with millions more undiagnosed and untreated.
Types of Sleep Disorders
- Insomnia: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that involves difficulty falling or staying asleep, and waking up feeling unrefreshed. Chronic insomnia (lasting at least three nights a week for a month or longer) can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, which can last from a few seconds to a minute or more. These pauses can occur hundreds of times a night and lead to fragmented, non-restorative sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions.
- Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, irresistible episodes of sleep, known as "sleep attacks." People with narcolepsy may also experience vivid dream-like hallucinations before falling asleep or upon waking, and sleep paralysis, where they are unable to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up.
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS): RLS is a sleep disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, such as tingling, crawling, or aching, which are relieved by movement. These sensations usually occur in the evening or at night and can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
- Sleepwalking: Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder characterized by walking, talking, or performing other activities while asleep. Sleepwalking usually occurs during the deep stages of sleep, and the person is not fully aware of their actions.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Disorders
Diagnosis of sleep disorders typically involves a thorough evaluation of sleep patterns, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Sleep studies, such as polysomnography (a test that records brain activity, eye movements, and other physiological signals during sleep) and multiple sleep latency tests (a test that measures the time it takes to fall asleep during the day), may be performed to help diagnose the underlying cause of sleep symptoms. Treatment of sleep disorders may include lifestyle changes, such as practicing good sleep hygiene, and medications to help promote better sleep and alleviate symptoms. In some cases, medical devices, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines for sleep apnea, may also be used. In severe cases, surgical interventions may be recommended.
Summary
Sleep disorders are a significant public health concern, affecting millions of people and impacting quality of life, physical and mental health, and daily functioning. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important for managing sleep disorders and improving overall health and well-being.
References
- National Institutes of Health. (2021). Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-disorders
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2021). Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://aasm.org/resources/patient-information/sleep-disorders/
- American Sleep Association. (2021). Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.sleepassociation.org/patients-general/sleep-disorders/
- National Sleep Foundation. (2021). Sleep Disorders & Problems. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354017
- World Health Organization. (2021). Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sleep-disorders
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/index.html
- American Psychological Association. (2021). Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/sleep-disorders
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| Sleep disorders | |
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| Dyssomnias | |
| Circadian rhythm disorders | |
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| Benign phenomena | |
| Treatment | |
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