common sleep disorders
Sleep Apnea - is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that is far more common than is generally understood. It is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.
There are two types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Central
sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea and occurs when
the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles
to initiate respirations.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a far more common type of sleep apnea. It
occurs when air cannot flow in or out of an individual's nose or mouth,
although efforts to breathe continue. In a given night, the number of
involuntary breathing pauses may be as high as 20-60 per hour. These
breathing pauses almost always are accompanied by snoring between apnea
episodes, although not everyone who snores has this condition.
Sleep apnea can also be characterized by choking sensations. The
frequent interruptions of deep, restorative sleep often lead to
excessive daytime sleepiness and may be associated with an early morning
headache.
Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it
may be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart
attack and stroke.
Narcolepsy - a chronic disorder that involves the body's central
nervous system. People with narcolepsy do not receive correct messages
from the brain about when to sleep and when to be awake. This is why
someone who has narcolepsy, not managed by medications, may fall asleep
while eating dinner or engaged in social activities.
About one in 2,000 people suffers from narcolepsy. It affects both men
and women of any age, but its symptoms are usually noticed after puberty
begins. For the majority of persons with narcolepsy, their first
symptoms appear between the ages of 15 and 30.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) - Individuals who think they may
have RLS may recognize these symptoms:
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An urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations usually described as a creeping or crawling feeling, tingling, cramping, burning or pain. Some patients have no definite sensation, except for the need to move.
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The need to stretch or bend legs to relieve the discomfort.
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Rubbing the legs, tossing or turning in bed, or getting up and pacing the floor.
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A definite worsening of the discomfort when lying down, especially when trying to fall asleep at night, or during other forms of inactivity.
Sleep disturbances are common with RLS and are a major effect. The sleep disturbances can range from mild to severe.
Insomnia - the perception of poor-quality sleep due to difficulty
falling asleep, waking up during the night with difficulty returning to
sleep, waking up too early in the morning or unrefreshing sleep. Stress
is considered the primary cause of short-term sleeping difficulties.
Common triggers include school- or job-related pressures, family
problems or a serious illness or death in the family. Usually the sleep
problem disappears when the stressful situation passes. However, if
short-term sleep problems, such as insomnia, aren't managed properly
from the beginning they can persist long after the original stress has
passed.
It's a good idea to speak to a physician about any sleeping problem that
recurs or persists for longer than one week. Your doctor can help you
take steps early to control or prevent poor sleep. Since insomnia can
also be brought on by depression, evaluation by a healthcare
professional is essential.
For more information about sleep disorders, call the OLBH Sleep Lab at 606-833-3993.
