Common Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders and is characterized by the inability to fall or remain asleep. Many people will experience temporary insomnia at certain times in their lives, which will resolve on its own. If the insomnia occurs more than 3 days per week and persists for more than 1 month, professional treatment is warranted. Insomnia is often accompanied by unwanted mental activity which can prevent the body from relaxing and giving in to sleep. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression, certain medical conditions and medications. Lifestyle factors can also play a role in the development of insomnia.
Treatment for insomnia may include psychological or pharmacological interventions
Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea
Approximately 1 in 15 people have sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep related breathing disorder characterized by the partial or complete blockage of the airway caused by a relaxation of the soft tissue at the rear of the throat. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to recognize rising carbon dioxide levels in the blood and signal the muscles to breathe. Both of these cause the individual to stop breathing during sleep, sometimes for up to one minute! Each apnea event engages the brain and briefly arouses the individual, making for a disrupted and fragmented sleep. Individuals often report that they wake up with headaches, dry mouth or sore throat, and are extremely tired throughout the day. Untreated sleep apnea can place individuals at risk for cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke while increasing the chance of work-related and driving accidents.
Depending on the severity of the sleep apnea, treatment may include lifestyle modification, dental appliances, CPAP or BiPAP, or surgery.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
RLS is characterized by an uncomfortable feeling in the legs that becomes worse in the evenings. Many people describe it as tingling, creeping, twitching, crawling and sometimes painful sensation that begins in the calves but can extend to the upper legs and arms. It can often lead to problems getting to sleep and insomnia. RLS is worsened by caffeine, alcohol, some anihistamines and antidepressants. The cause of RLS is unknown.
Treatment for RLS can include lifestyle modification, iron, vitamin and mineral supplementation and prescription medication.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is characterized by extreme daytime sleepiness and ‘sleep attacks’. Sleep attacks are involuntary episodes of sleep accompanied by muscle weakness. Extreme positive or negative emotions can bring on a sleep attack. Sleep attacks can happen in unlikely places such as when walking, having a conversation with someone or while driving. Certain people may have a genetic predisposition to narcolepsy.
Treatment for narcolepsy can include behavior modification and stimulant medication.