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Understanding Sleep Disorders - Sleep Disorders brookings - Getting Medical Attention For Sleep Problems |
Understanding Sleeping Disorders
A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a disorder in the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders can interfere with mental and emotional function. For a variety of reasons, or causes, sleep disorders are very common. It's important to understand that sleep is not a simple process; in fact there are two stages to sleep: NREM - Non Rapid Eye Movement; and REM - Rapid Eye Movement (the dreaming part of sleep). Each is a unique cycle and measuring these cycles is the first procedure into diagnosing sleeping disorders. The measuring and analysis process involves a variety of tracking procedures:
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Polysomnography (PSG). During a polysomnography there are at least seven electrode sensors adhered to different parts of the body that are used with monitoring equipment that records brain waves, eye movements, heart activity, breathing and muscle activity. PSG is typically conducted overnight at a sleep disorder center or sleep clinic. This simple overnight session normally reveals important information about sleep stages, problems with sleep patterns, cardiopulmonary functions, sleep-related body movements and other sleep-associated problems and incidents.
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Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET measures brain function by measuring the metabolism of glucose, a simple sugar derived from food and used by body cells for energy. This procedure allows researchers to determine which parts of the brain are active during sleep and when they are not very active.
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Multiple Sleep Latency Test. MSLT measures daytime sleepiness and specialists measure the patient taking the test four or five 20-minute naps every two hours. Medical personnel keep track of how long it takes the person to fall asleep. This test may also include some of the electronic monitoring techniques used in polysomnography.
Sometimes sleep clinics combine these tests in order to get the most accurate data possible for determining sleep disorders for their patients and the referring physicians.
Below is a list of some common sleep disorders. A test commonly ordered for some sleep disorders is the polysomnogram, or PSG. PSGs are typically done in a licensed, professional medical sleep study facility - like Advanced Sleep Disorders center.
Common Sleep Disorders
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Parasomnias: Include a variety of disruptive sleep-related events.
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Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): Involuntary movement of arms and/or legs during sleep. See also Hypnic jerk, which is not a disorder.
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Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD): Acting out violent or dramatic dreams while in REM sleep.
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS): An irresistible urge to move legs while sleeping. Often accompanies PLMD.
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Bruxism: The sufferer involuntarily grinds his or her teeth while sleeping.
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Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS): A sleep disorder of circadian rhythm, characterized by the inability to wake up and fall asleep at the desired times, but not by inability to stay asleep.
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Hypopnea syndrome: Abnormally shallow breathing or slow respiratory rate while sleeping.
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Narcolepsy: The condition of falling asleep spontaneously and unwillingly.
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Night terror or Pavor nocturnus or sleep terror disorder: abrupt awakening from sleep with behavior consistent with terror.
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Snoring: Loud breathing patterns while sleeping, sometimes accompanying sleep apnea.
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Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD).
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Sleep apnea: The obstruction of the airway during sleep.
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Sleepwalking or somnambulism: Engaging in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness (such as eating or dressing), which may include walking, without the conscious knowledge of the subject.
Common sleep disorders are usually treatable, and sometimes very quickly. No one needs to suffer needlessly when help is readily available. Consult your doctor, primary care physician or a sleep disorder professional if you, or someone you know, may be suffering and needing some attention. If you are unsure whom to contact in the brookings, Jackson County, or Southern Oregon area then just call us at the brookings Sleep Center and we'll lead you in the right direction.
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