sleep disorders. insomnia the inability to sleep most common type is difficulty falling asleep....
TRANSCRIPT
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
• The inability to sleep• Most common type is difficulty falling
asleep.• People w/ insomnia are more likely
to worry and to have “racing minds”• Usually comes and goes, worse w/
anxiety or tension.• Only a problem when it occurs for
long periods of time.
Nightmare/Night Terrors
• Common nightmares involve snakes or murder.– Some specific to a particular activity or
profession.
• Upsetting events can produce nightmares– Depression/anxiety increases
• Dreamers feel hearts racing, gasp for air, may sit up, thrash, etc.– Do not fully awaken, memories may be
vague
Nightmares/Night Terrors
• Night terrors similar to nightmares, but more severe.
• Night terrors occur during stages 3 and 4
• Nightmares occur during REM
Sleepwalking
• Many children walk in their sleep• Tends to run in families – most
children outgrow it• Occurs during deep sleep.• May even respond to questions – but do not remember any of it
Sleep Apnea
• Breathing interruption that occurs during sleep– Do not automatically start breathing again
until they awaken gasping for air
• Occurs when a person’s air passages are blocked.
• More common in older, overweight men– Can lead to high blood pressure– Greater risk for stroke and heart attack
Narcolepsy
• Very rare – people suddenly fall asleep
• Believed to be a genetic disorder of REM-sleep function
• Cataplexy may occur which is a body paralysis
• Genetic link
• No cure
RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)
• Painful, prickly sensations that force victims to twitch their legs rapidly, leading to sleeplessness.
Hypersomnia
• Excessive sleepiness.
• Deep or prolonged major sleep period in which there are prolonged sleep episodes in non-REM sleep– 1-2 hours
• Unknown cause but is associated with the CNS
Kleine Levin Syndrome• Rare neurological disorder characterized by
recurring periods of excessive amounts of sleep and altered behavior.
• At the onset of an episode, the patient is drowsy and can sleep months.
• May “semi” awaken to eat/use bathroom– Spacey, childlike, confused, disoriented– Uncommunicative
• Episodes may come and go w/out warning• Cause is a malfunction in the hypothalamus
and low dopamine