Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic leg movement disorder (PLMD)
Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological sensorimotor disorder that is characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs when they are at rest. The urge to move the legs is usually, but not always, accompanied by unpleasant sensations. It is less common but possible to have RLS symptoms in the arms, face, torso, and genital region. RLS symptoms occur during inactivity and movement or pressure temporarily relieves them. Symptoms of RLS are most severe in the evening and nighttime hours and can profoundly disrupt a patient's sleep and daily life. RLS symptoms often improve with medical treatment.
Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) is a condition during sleep in which the limbs twitch or jerk every 20 to 40 seconds. Each movement lasts between half a second to five seconds and can involve the big toe, ankle, knee, and sometimes the hip, as well as jerking of the arms. Most jerking movements cause a brief awakening, as if every time you fell asleep, someone shook you just enough to wake you again. PLMD can cause poor sleep, which may lead to sleep maintenance insomnia and/or excessive daytime sleepiness.
|
|
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. Narcolepsy can cause a person to suddenly fall asleep during the day. These "sleep attacks" occur even after getting enough sleep at night. The unusual sleep pattern that people with narcolepsy have can affect their schooling, work, and social life.
|
Insomnia
Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or a disturbance in sleep that makes sleep seem inadequate or unrefreshing. Symptoms include irritability, fatigue during the day, and problems concentrating or performing under stress.
To diagnose insomnia, doctors evaluate a person's sleep pattern, use of drugs (including alcohol and illicit drugs), degree of psychologic stress, medical history, and level of physical activity. Some people need less sleep than others, so the diagnosis of insomnia is based on a person's individual needs.
|
Sleep apnea and snoring
The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. This area is the collapsible part of the airway where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. Snoring occurs when these structures strike each other and vibrate during breathing. Snoring is a medical problem when it disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of appropriate rest. When snoring is severe, it can cause serious, long-term health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.
In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. 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 of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, enough air cannot flow into your lungs through your mouth and nose even though you try to breathe. When this happens, the amount of oxygen in your blood may drop. Normal breaths then start again with a loud snort or choking sound.
Because the snorer does not get a good rest, he may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance and makes him a hazardous driver or equipment operator. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.
|
|
|
|
|
|
