Sleep Disorders
Not only can a sleep disorder disrupt your sleep, it can bother your partner too,
sometimes without you even being aware of it. It is estimated that at least 40 million
people in the U.S. suffer from sleep disorders on a regular basis, and 20 million
suffer occasionally.
The loss of sleep due to sleep disorders affects many aspects of one's life, including
work and social activities, and can make driving dangerous. The costs due to lost
productivity and other factors are difficult to gauge, but it is estimated that
sleep disorders are responsible for approximately $16 billion a year in medical
costs.
Healthcare professionals have identified over 70 sleep disorders. If you or your
sleep partner suspect that you have a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor. Once
you are properly diagnosed, it is likely that you can be treated effectively. The
most common sleep disorders are:
Snoring
Sleep apnea (breathing problem)
Restless legs syndrome
Narcolepsy
Teeth grinding
Night sweats
Sleep talking
Sleepwalking
Nightmares
Snoring
While
snoring
can be an annoying problem (mostly to your sleep partner), it can also be a sign
of
sleep apnea,
which is a serious condition. If you know or are told that you're snoring, discuss
the issue with your healthcare provider.
Back to top
Sleep apnea (breathing problem)
With
sleep apnea,
your breathing is briefly interrupted while you sleep. These interruptions can occur
dozens or even hundreds of times during the night. A telltale sign of sleep apnea
is a distinctive snore: snoring followed by a period of silence that ends with a
loud gasp as you start to breathe again. Sleep apnea often occurs because of fat
buildup or loss of muscle tone with aging. You could remain completely unaware of
this gasping (although your sleep partner is sure to be aware), even if it disrupts
your sleep throughout the night.
The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the tongue
or other soft tissue blocks the airway. Treatments include breathing devices that
keep the airway open during sleep, and surgery that reduces the amount of soft tissue
near the airway.
It is estimated that 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, but very few of them
are diagnosed. When a patient has symptoms of sleep apnea, it is recommended that
he or she receive a test called a polysomnography. During this test, the patient's
brain waves, heartbeat, and breathing are monitored and recorded during an entire
night at a
sleep center.
If the patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatments are available.
Sleep apnea may also be associated with serious heart problems. If you suspect you
could have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor.
Back to top
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Restless legs syndrome
is characterized by an uncomfortable urge to move the legs. The condition usually
entails a tingling feeling, but in some people there may be pain. RLS symptoms can
occur while you are trying to fall asleep or during sleep, but can also occur when
you're awake. It is a condition that may interfere with the quality of your sleep.
A similar condition, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), involves spasmodic
twitching of the legs. These repetitive jerking movements happen every twenty to
forty seconds causing serious sleep problems. In people with RLS and PLMD, medication is often
effective. If you suspect you have RLS, talk to your doctor.
Back to top
Narcolepsy
This neurological disorder brings on sudden, uncontrollable bouts of sleepiness
throughout the day even if one has had sufficient sleep at night. Sufferers typically
fall asleep involuntarily—even when they are actively engaged in conversations or
tasks. About one in 2,000 (about 250,000) Americans has
narcolepsy;
medications can help to control it.
In 1999, a research team working with canines identified a gene called hypocretin
receptor 2 that causes narcolepsy. The same gene exists in humans, and researchers
are currently searching for defective versions of the gene in people with narcolepsy
in an attempt to develop a cure.
Back to top
This sleep disorder is also known as
bruxism.
In addition to disrupting your sleep, this behavior can also damage your teeth,
gums, and jaws. You may not know you grind your teeth in your sleep unless you wake
up with pain (and not everyone does) or your sleep partner tells you. If you suspect
you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist.
Back to top
Night sweats
If you are a woman, night sweats might be a sign of menopause. They can also be
a sign of other hormonal or endocrine disorders. If you are experiencing night sweats,
you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Back to top
Sleep talking
Many people talk in their sleep occasionally. However, if your partner tells you
that this happens frequently or lasts for minutes at a time, talk to your healthcare
provider.
Back to top
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking occurs more often in children than adults and typically resolves itself
during puberty. The condition may run in families. If you or someone in your household
is a chronic sleepwalker, take safety precautions, such as keeping doors and windows
closed.
Back to top
Nightmares
Everyone has occasional
nightmares,
but sometimes nightmares can be a sign of an underlying medical or psychological
problem that needs treatment. You should talk to your healthcare provider if yours
occur more than occasionally.
Back to top
Next: Insomnia Treatment