The Answered Patient: Understanding Sleep Disorders

If you toss and turn all night, or have trouble staying awake during the day, it could be the sign of a sleep disorder. Nearly 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and many don't even know they have one.

In this episode of "Say Ahh!" we'll explore sleep disorders, including:

• Types
• Diagnosis
• The science of sleep

Research shows that getting enough sleep is vital for both physical and mental health. During sleep, our bodies go through a sequence of events known as the five stages of sleep. These stages typically cycle several times throughout the night, and are necessary to help restore our bodies' energy. If the sleep cycle is interrupted, a person can suffer from memory loss and impaired thinking, and even experience life-threatening accidents.

If you think you might have a sleep disorder, the first step toward treatment is working with your doctor to determine which kind you have. There are nearly one hundred types of sleep disorders. The most common is insomnia, in which a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Other sleep disorders include:

• Sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome
• Narcolepsy
• Parasomnias, such as sleepwalking and night terrors

To make a diagnosis, a doctor will begin by asking you about your sleep patterns. She might also refer you to a sleep lab for a test called a polysomnogram, which records your brain activity, breathing patterns, heart rhythm, and eye and body movement during sleep.

Researchers believe there are two primary brain processes that are responsible for triggering and controlling sleep: neurotransmitters, which relay signals between nerve cells, and an internal biological clock known as a "circadian clock." If neurotransmitters or the circadian clock are thrown out of balance, it can be difficult to sleep, and can eventually lead to a sleep disorder.

Living with a sleep disorder doesn't mean you have to spend your days yawning, or lie in bed at night feeling restless. With a proper diagnosis and the right treatment, you should be able to rest easy.

To find out more about managing sleep disorders, be sure to watch our episode, "Treating Sleep Disorders."

For more information, click the links below:

• Insomnia: How to Get a Good Night's Sleep
• Sleep Apnea
• Sleep Changes in Older Adults
• Sleepwalking in Children

• Print Article

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