Some of the Different Types of Sleeping Disorders
Introduction -- Sleeping disorders are an annoying fact of life for the millions who suffer from them. There are two primary classifications of sleep related problems: Parasomnias and dyssomnias. Examples of dyssomnias of include narcolepsy, breathing related sleep disorder and circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Another form of sleep problem is Restless Leg Syndrome, which mainly affects the elderly. This causes constant movement in the legs, or prickly sensations in them. All sleep disorders can have a negative impact on health as well as the quality of life for those who suffer from them.
Sleeping disorders are among the most common clinical problems encountered in all of medicine. Primary sleeping disorders are typically presumed to result from an endogenous disturbance in a person's sleep-wake generating or timing mechanisms. The most primary sleeping disorders are generalized as being in two basic categories: parasomnias and dyssomnias. In regards to parasomnias, these are typically characterized by abnormal behavior in association with sleep, sleep stages, or sleep-wake transitions.
With respect to dyssomnias, these are characterized by abnormalities in the amount, quality, or timing of a person's sleep, and include such ailments as primary insomnia, hypersomnia, narcolepsy, breathing-related sleep disorder, and circadian rhythm sleep disorder.
Hypersomnia occurs when there is an excessive amount of sleepiness, which results in an inability to stay awake. An adult is considered to have hypersomnia if they sleep for more than 10 hours a day on a regular basis. There are many suspected causes for hypersomnia including: Genetics and brain damage, as well as disorders such as fibromyalgia and clinical depression.
Sleep apnea is another type of sleeping disorder, one that is characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes are called apneas, and each last long enough where one or two breaths are actually missed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common form of sleep apnea, and many people find that they experience obstructive sleep apnea only for a short period of time. The primary recommended treatment for people suffering from sleep apnea is that of a lifestyle change, including avoiding alcohol and any medications that relax the central nervous system.
Restless Legs and Narcolepsy
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is another incredibly common sleep disorder, and is especially found in the elderly. It is a genetic disorder that results in prickly or tingly sensations in the legs, which often cause patients to want to move their limbs ceaselessly.
Another sleep disorder, narcolepsy, is a condition that causes patients to fall asleep uncontrollably throughout the day for periods that last anywhere from less than a minute to more than a half an hour. Narcolepsy is typically a genetic disorder, and is considered to also be associated with brain damage or neurological disease or disorder. Some people who suffer from narcolepsy report experiencing an increased number of attacks during pregnancy, illness, fever, or stressful periods, and patients who suffer from narcolepsy complain of being tired all the time.