Sleep is an integral part of human existence. We
spend a third of our lives sleeping. Sleep influences our physical,
psychological and social well being. About 70 million Americans
suffer from a sleep disturbance which may be comprised of a broad
range of problems. Many sleep disorders cause an increase in daytime
sleepiness and an increase in road traffic accidents. Through clinical
research, it has been found that there are more than 80 sleeping
disorders. Some of the most common sleep disorders are listed below.
Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas can offer solutions to these
common and debilitating sleep disruptions by providing proper treatment
of the disorder. By enhancing your sleeping hours, your waking
ones improve as well.
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea the most serious sleep disorder, is periodic
obstruction of the upper airway during sleep and has a prevalence
rate of three to eight percent. Periods of apnea can last up
to 90 seconds and may occur several hundred times per night.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common medical cause of
excessive daytime sleepiness and is more common in men.
Symptoms:
- Loud, habitual snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability/Personality changes
- Obesity
- Choking/Gasping/snorts during sleep
- Hypertension
- Non-refreshing sleep/inability to wake up
- Daytime fatigue
- Memory and concentration problems
- Morning headaches
- Upper airway abnormalities
- Frequent napping
- Nocturnal Angina/Arrhythmia
- Frequent awakenings
- Sexual problems
Diagnosis for Obstructive
Sleep Apnea should be made by pertinent history, physical
examination, oximetry and polysomnography. Most people benefit
from appropriate evaluation, treatment and follow-up.
- Narcolepsy has a prevalence rate of five per 100,000 population.
- Classical symptoms include:
- Excessive sleepiness
- Cataplexy (physical weakness with emotion)
- Hypnagogic hallucinations
- Sleep paralysis (occurs upon waking)
- Automatic behavior
- Low concentration
- Occupational/School problems
Symptoms may appear rapidly or
develop slowly over the years. The cause of Narcolepsy is still
unknown but shows strong familial clustering.
Periodic
Limb Movements(PLM) are
characterized by rhythmic jerking of the feet or legs.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is described as a
“creeping, crawling” sensation that creates an urge to move the
legs. Its prevalence rate is two to five percent. Patients with PLM or RLS
often complain of the following symptoms.
- Twitching legs
- Unpleasant sensation during sleep
- Insomnia/Non-refreshing sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Increased activity
- Restless sleep
Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome
and Periodic Limb Movements is highly effective for 90 percent
of patients seeking help.
Insomnia in
its chronic form, affects approximately nine percent of the population.
It can last for weeks, months, or even years and may be related
to the following:
- Worry, anxiety or stress
- Psychiatric disorders
- Primary sleep disorders
- Substance abuse
- Medical problems
- Behavioral/Conditional factors
Those with chronic insomnia may experience reduced
productivity and accidents as a result of fatigue. Because insomnia
is a symptom, the physician must search for the cause. Over 70
percent of insomnia sufferers sleep better after appropriate evaluation
and treatment.
Parasomnia refers
to a wide variety of disruptive, sleep-related events or “disorders
of arousal.” These arousal disorders include:
- Sleep Walking
- Sleep terrors (pavor nocturnes)
- Nightmares
- Partial seizures
- Violent behavior during sleep
- REM behavior disorder (acting out dreams)
Severe cases may lead to injury, violence, excessive
eating, or disturbance of others in the bed or house. In most cases,
Parasomnia can be effectively diagnosed and treated.
