Sleep Disorders
Is it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep though the night? Do you wake up feeling tired or feel very sleepy during the day, even if you have had enough sleep? You might have a sleep disorder.
The most common kinds are:
The most common kinds are:
- Insomnia - a hard time falling or staying asleep
- Sleep apnea - breathing interruptions during sleep
- Restless legs syndrome - a tingling or prickly sensation in the legs
- Narcolepsy - daytime "sleep attacks"
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can be serious. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour.
The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. That means you are unable to get enough air through your mouth and nose into your lungs. When that happens, the amount of oxygen in your blood may drop. Normal breaths resume with a snort or choking sound. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you can be drowsy during the day. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for car crashes, work-related accidents and other medical problems. If you have it, it is important to get treatment.
The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. That means you are unable to get enough air through your mouth and nose into your lungs. When that happens, the amount of oxygen in your blood may drop. Normal breaths resume with a snort or choking sound. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you can be drowsy during the day. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for car crashes, work-related accidents and other medical problems. If you have it, it is important to get treatment.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes a powerful urge to move your legs. Your legs become uncomfortable when you are lying down or sitting. Some people describe it as a creeping, crawling, tingling or burning sensation. Moving makes your legs feel better, but not for long.
In most cases, there is no known cause for RLS. In other cases, RLS is caused by a disease or condition, such as anemia or pregnancy. Some medicines can also cause temporary RLS. Caffeine, tobacco and alcohol may make symptoms worse.
Lifestyle changes, such as regular sleep habits, relaxation techniques and moderate exercise during the day can help. If those don't work, medicines may reduce the symptoms of RLS.
In most cases, there is no known cause for RLS. In other cases, RLS is caused by a disease or condition, such as anemia or pregnancy. Some medicines can also cause temporary RLS. Caffeine, tobacco and alcohol may make symptoms worse.
Lifestyle changes, such as regular sleep habits, relaxation techniques and moderate exercise during the day can help. If those don't work, medicines may reduce the symptoms of RLS.
Insomnia
Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or having nonrefreshing sleep for at least 1 month. Causes Causes Primary insomnia refers to insomnia that is not caused by any known physical or mental condition.
Insomnia is caused by many different things. The most common causes of insomnia are:
Symptoms Symptoms
Exams and Tests Exams and Tests Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your current medications, drug use, and medical history. Usually, these are the only methods needed to diagnose insomnia.
Polysomnography, an overnight sleep study, can help rule out other types of sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea).
Treatment Treatment The following tips can help improve sleep. This is called sleep hygiene.
If you can't fall asleep within 30 minutes, get up and move to another room. Engage in a quiet activity until you feel sleepy.
One method of preventing worries from keeping you awake is to keep a journal before going to bed. List all issues that worry you. By this method, you transfer your worries from your thoughts to paper. This leaves your mind quieter and more ready to sleep.
If you follow these recommendations and still have insomnia, your doctor may prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines.
Outlook (Prognosis) Outlook (Prognosis) You should be able to sleep if you practice good sleep hygiene. See a doctor if you have chronic insomnia that does not improve.
It is important to remember that your health is not at risk if you do not get 6 - 8 hours of sleep every day. Different people have different sleep requirements. Some do fine on 4 hours of sleep a night, while others only thrive if they get 10 - 11 hours.
Sleep requirements also change with age. Listen to your body's sleep signals and don't try to sleep more or less than is refreshing for you.
Possible Complications Possible Complications Daytime sleepiness is the most common complication, though there is some evidence that lack of sleep can also lower your immune system's ability to fight infections. Sleep deprivation is also a common cause of auto accidents -- if you are driving and feel sleepy, take a break.
When to Contact a Medical Professional When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your doctor if chronic insomnia has become a problem.
Insomnia is caused by many different things. The most common causes of insomnia are:
- Alcohol
- Anxiety
- Coffee
- Stress
Symptoms Symptoms
- Difficulty falling asleep on most nights
- Feeling tired during the day or falling asleep during the day
- Not feeling refreshed when you wake up
- Waking up several times during sleep
Exams and Tests Exams and Tests Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your current medications, drug use, and medical history. Usually, these are the only methods needed to diagnose insomnia.
Polysomnography, an overnight sleep study, can help rule out other types of sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea).
Treatment Treatment The following tips can help improve sleep. This is called sleep hygiene.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine before bed.
- Don't take daytime naps.
- Eat at regular times each day (avoid large meals near bedtime).
- Exercise at least 2 hours before going to bed.
- Go to bed at the same time every night.
- Keep comfortable sleeping conditions.
- Remove the anxiety that comes with trying to sleep by reassuring yourself that you will sleep or by distracting yourself.
- Use the bed only for sleep and sex.
If you can't fall asleep within 30 minutes, get up and move to another room. Engage in a quiet activity until you feel sleepy.
One method of preventing worries from keeping you awake is to keep a journal before going to bed. List all issues that worry you. By this method, you transfer your worries from your thoughts to paper. This leaves your mind quieter and more ready to sleep.
If you follow these recommendations and still have insomnia, your doctor may prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines.
Outlook (Prognosis) Outlook (Prognosis) You should be able to sleep if you practice good sleep hygiene. See a doctor if you have chronic insomnia that does not improve.
It is important to remember that your health is not at risk if you do not get 6 - 8 hours of sleep every day. Different people have different sleep requirements. Some do fine on 4 hours of sleep a night, while others only thrive if they get 10 - 11 hours.
Sleep requirements also change with age. Listen to your body's sleep signals and don't try to sleep more or less than is refreshing for you.
Possible Complications Possible Complications Daytime sleepiness is the most common complication, though there is some evidence that lack of sleep can also lower your immune system's ability to fight infections. Sleep deprivation is also a common cause of auto accidents -- if you are driving and feel sleepy, take a break.
When to Contact a Medical Professional When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your doctor if chronic insomnia has become a problem.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks.
Causes Causes Narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder, not a mental illness. Anxiety does not cause narcolepsy.
Experts believe that narcolepsy is caused by reduced amounts of a protein called hypocretin, which is made in the brain. What causes the brain to produce less of this protein is unclear.
Narcolepsy tends to run in families.
Conditions that cause insomnia, such as disrupted work schedules, can make narcolepsy worse.
Symptoms Symptoms The most common symptoms of narcolepsy are:
Exams and Tests Exams and Tests The doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood work to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Conditions that can cause excessive sleepiness include:
Treatment Treatment There is no known cure for narcolepsy. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Lifestyle adjustments and learning to cope with the emotional and other effects of the disorder may help you function better in work and social activities. This involves:
Antidepressant medications can help reduce episodes of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Antidepressants include:
If you have narcolepsy, you may have driving restrictions. Restrictions vary from state to state.
Outlook (Prognosis) Outlook (Prognosis) Narcolepsy is a chronic, lifelong condition. It is not a deadly illness, but it may be dangerous if episodes occur during driving, operating machinery, or similar activities. Narcolepsy can usually be controlled with treatment. Treating other underlying sleep disorders can improve symptoms of narcolepsy.
Possible Complications Possible Complications
Causes Causes Narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder, not a mental illness. Anxiety does not cause narcolepsy.
Experts believe that narcolepsy is caused by reduced amounts of a protein called hypocretin, which is made in the brain. What causes the brain to produce less of this protein is unclear.
Narcolepsy tends to run in families.
Conditions that cause insomnia, such as disrupted work schedules, can make narcolepsy worse.
Symptoms Symptoms The most common symptoms of narcolepsy are:
- Periods of extreme drowsiness every 3 to 4 hours during the day. You may feel a strong urge to sleep, often followed by a short nap (sleep attack).
- These periods last for about 15 minutes each, although they can be longer.
- They often happen after eating, but may occur while driving, talking to someone, or during other situations.
- You wake up feeling refreshed.
- Dream-like hallucinations may occur during the stage between sleep and wakefulness. They involve seeing or hearing, and possibly other senses.
- Sleep paralysis is when you are unable to move when you first wake up. It may also happen when you first become drowsy.
- Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, resulting in the inability to move. Strong emotions, such as laughter or anger, will often bring on cataplexy.
- Most attacks last for less than 30 seconds and can be missed.
- Your head will suddenly fall forward, your jaw will become slack, and your knees will buckle.
- In severe cases, a person may fall and stay paralyzed for as long as several minutes.
Exams and Tests Exams and Tests The doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood work to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Conditions that can cause excessive sleepiness include:
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders
- Restless leg syndrome
- Seizures
- Sleep apnea
- Other medical, psychiatric, or nervous system diseases
- ECG(measures the heart's electrical activity)
- EEG(brain activity measurements)
- Monitoring of breathing
- Genetic testing to look for narcolepsy gene
Treatment Treatment There is no known cure for narcolepsy. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Lifestyle adjustments and learning to cope with the emotional and other effects of the disorder may help you function better in work and social activities. This involves:
- Eating light or vegetarian meals during the day and avoiding heavy meals before important activities
- Scheduling a brief nap (10 to 15 minutes) after meals, if possible
- Planning naps to control daytime sleep and reduce the number of unplanned, sudden sleep attacks
- Informing teachers and supervisors about the condition so you are not punished for being "lazy" at school or work
Antidepressant medications can help reduce episodes of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Antidepressants include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as protriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, and desipramine
If you have narcolepsy, you may have driving restrictions. Restrictions vary from state to state.
Outlook (Prognosis) Outlook (Prognosis) Narcolepsy is a chronic, lifelong condition. It is not a deadly illness, but it may be dangerous if episodes occur during driving, operating machinery, or similar activities. Narcolepsy can usually be controlled with treatment. Treating other underlying sleep disorders can improve symptoms of narcolepsy.
Possible Complications Possible Complications
- Injuries and accidents, if attacks occur during activities
- Impairment of functioning at work
- Impairment of social activities
- Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
- You have symptoms of narcolepsy
- Narcolepsy does not respond to treatment, or you develop other symptoms