Sleep Disorders
Sometimes, poor sleep is unavoidable for a night or two. Sleeping poorly for a month or more, or sleepiness during the day that interferes with normal activities, may indicate a treatable sleep problem. Sometimes just understanding the problem makes it possible for the person to improve their own sleep. In some cases, further evaluation and treatment is needed to restore health and improve sleep. The following is an overview of common sleep problems that are treated at the Center for Sleep Disorders:
Sleep Apnea - A breathing problem that disrupts sleep for one in four people over age 60, but may affect people of all ages. Sleep apnea may be obvious to bed partners because of snoring, which is caused by partial blockage of the airway.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Those with obstructive sleep apnea may not snore. When respiratory muscles do not work properly, breathing appears more shallow. In the morning, they may remember frequent awakenings and complain of light and fragmented sleep.
Periodic Limb Movements - Twitching in the legs and sometimes arms during the night is called periodic limb movement disorder and occurs in nearly half of all people over the age of 65. The muscle twitches may not be frequent, or may be as often as every minute. The sleeper is seldom awakened, but may complain of insomnia and daytime sleepiness.
Restless Leg Syndrome - This syndrome causes crawling sensations in the calves or thighs when the person is sitting or lying down, often at bedtime, and often with periodic limb movements.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - The normal muscle paralysis that occurs during dream sleep does not occur in people with REM sleep behavior disorder. Bizarre behavior can then occur during dreams. This rare disorder, seen mostly in men over 50, may endanger the sufferer and those around him or her.
Insomnia - Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep plagues people of all ages, most commonly for a night or two, but sometimes for weeks, months or even years. Around 33% of adults in a sleep study complained of chronic insomnia, which is poor sleep every night or most nights. Not only does this disorder disturb sleep, but also waking hours, by causing a person to feel sleepy and have difficulty concentrating.
Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome - Advancing age brings on the tendency to go to bed earlier and get up earlier such as retiring at 7 p.m. and awaking at 3 a.m. If this tendency becomes a problem for the individual's lifestyle, time therapy can help. Evening exposure to bright lights may also help.