4.4 Sleep Problems and Disorders
3 min read•june 24, 2024
Sleep disorders disrupt our natural sleep patterns, affecting millions worldwide. From to , these conditions can significantly impact our daily lives, causing daytime fatigue, mood changes, and health issues.
Understanding sleep disorders is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. This section explores common sleep disorders, their symptoms, and treatments, highlighting the importance of proper and seeking professional help when needed.
Sleep Disorders
Symptoms and treatments of insomnia
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- Symptoms of insomnia involve difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, waking up too early in the morning, and feeling unrefreshed upon waking
- Common treatments for insomnia include cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia () which involves sleep hygiene education, stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction therapy, and relaxation techniques
- Medications for insomnia treatment include over-the-counter sleep aids (antihistamines) and prescription sleep medications (benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics)
- supplements may be used to help regulate sleep patterns
Characteristics of parasomnias
- () occurs during non-REM sleep, typically in the first third of the night and involves the person performing complex behaviors while asleep
- (sleep terrors) occur during non-REM sleep, usually in the first half of the night and are characterized by intense fear, screaming, and difficulty waking the person
- involves vivid, disturbing dreams that usually occur during REM sleep and can cause significant distress and impair daytime functioning
- (RBD) is characterized by acting out dreams during REM sleep and may involve vocalizations and physical movements, potentially causing injury
Sleep apnea symptoms and treatments
- Types of sleep apnea include () caused by physical blockage of the airway and () caused by a lack of respiratory effort
- Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and morning headaches
- Treatment options for sleep apnea include continuous positive airway pressure () therapy, oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices), lifestyle changes (weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives), and surgery in severe cases
- is used to diagnose sleep apnea and assess its severity
Risk factors and prevention of SIDS
- Risk factors for include sleeping on the stomach or side, soft bedding or loose blankets in the sleep environment, overheating during sleep, and exposure to tobacco smoke
- Prevention strategies for SIDS involve placing infants on their backs for sleep, using a firm sleep surface, keeping the sleep area free of soft objects and loose bedding, avoiding overheating the infant, and encouraging a smoke-free environment
Narcolepsy symptoms and treatments
- is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal REM sleep patterns
- Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, (sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions), , and hypnagogic or
- Current treatment approaches for narcolepsy involve medications such as stimulants (modafinil, methylphenidate) for excessive daytime sleepiness, sodium oxybate for cataplexy and nighttime sleep disturbances, and antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs) for cataplexy
- Lifestyle changes for managing narcolepsy include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, scheduling short naps during the day, and avoiding alcohol and sedatives
Additional Sleep-Related Concepts
- occur when the internal body clock is misaligned with the external environment, affecting sleep patterns
- accumulates when a person consistently gets less sleep than needed, potentially leading to cognitive and health issues
- is the ratio of time spent asleep to time spent in bed, with higher efficiency indicating better sleep quality
- is characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day, even after apparently adequate nighttime sleep
Key Terms to Review (28)
Cataplexy: Cataplexy is a sudden, brief episode of muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions, such as laughter, surprise, or anger. It is a key symptom associated with the sleep disorder narcolepsy.
CBT-I: CBT-I, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, is a highly effective treatment approach that addresses the cognitive and behavioral factors contributing to sleep problems. It focuses on helping individuals develop healthier sleep habits and challenge negative thought patterns that can interfere with sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea: Central sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the temporary cessation of breathing during sleep, caused by the brain's failure to signal the muscles to breathe. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a physical blockage of the airway, central sleep apnea results from a neurological issue in the brain's control of respiration.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders: Circadian rhythm disorders are disruptions to the body's internal 24-hour clock that regulates various physiological processes, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature, and digestion. These disorders can lead to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or maintaining a regular sleep-wake pattern.
CPAP: CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a treatment for sleep apnea that involves the use of a machine to provide a steady stream of air pressure to keep the airways open during sleep. This helps prevent the collapse of the throat muscles, which can obstruct breathing and lead to disrupted sleep patterns.
CSA: CSA, or Central Sleep Apnea, is a sleep disorder characterized by a temporary pause or reduction in breathing during sleep. It occurs when the brain fails to properly signal the muscles responsible for controlling breathing, leading to disrupted sleep patterns and potential health consequences.
Hypersomnia: Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, despite getting adequate sleep at night. It is a condition where an individual experiences an increased need for sleep and difficulty staying awake during the day, which can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life.
Hypnagogic Hallucinations: Hypnagogic hallucinations are vivid, dreamlike experiences that occur during the transition between wakefulness and sleep, known as the hypnagogic state. These hallucinations can involve visual, auditory, or even tactile sensations that feel strikingly real, but are not actually based in external reality.
Hypnopompic Hallucinations: Hypnopompic hallucinations are vivid and often bizarre sensory experiences that occur during the transition from sleep to wakefulness. These hallucinations can involve visual, auditory, or even tactile sensations, and are a common phenomenon experienced by many individuals.
Hypnopompic hallucinations are closely related to sleep problems and disorders, as they often occur in the context of disrupted sleep patterns or sleep-related issues. Understanding this term is crucial in the study of 4.4 Sleep Problems and Disorders within the Intro to Psychology curriculum.
Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by the persistent difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep. It is a common problem that can significantly impact an individual's overall health, well-being, and daily functioning.
Insomnia is relevant to the topics of 'What Is Consciousness?' and 'Sleep Problems and Disorders' as it is a sleep-related issue that can affect an individual's level of consciousness, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.
Melatonin: Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating the body's sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. It is closely tied to consciousness, sleep, and various sleep-related disorders.
Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep, and disrupted nighttime sleep. It is a neurological condition that affects the brain's ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
Night Terrors: Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of sleep disorder characterized by episodes of intense fear, panic, and agitation that occur during the first few hours of sleep. These episodes are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating.
Nightmare Disorder: Nightmare disorder, also known as dream anxiety disorder, is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent and disturbing dreams that cause significant distress or impairment in daily life. These nightmares typically involve themes of threat, danger, or extreme fear, and can lead to abrupt awakening from sleep.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing patterns and poor sleep quality. It is a significant issue that can have wide-ranging impacts on an individual's health and well-being.
OSA: OSA, or Obstructive Sleep Apnea, is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete blockage of the upper airway during sleep, leading to disruptions in normal breathing patterns and sleep quality.
Parasomnias: Parasomnias are a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal and undesirable physical events or experiences that occur during entry into sleep, within sleep, or during the arousal from sleep. These disruptive sleep-related behaviors can range from mild to severe and can have significant impacts on an individual's sleep quality and daytime functioning.
Polysomnography: Polysomnography is a comprehensive sleep study that records various physiological parameters during sleep, including brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns. This diagnostic tool is used to assess and diagnose sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep-related issues.
RBD (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder): RBD is a sleep disorder characterized by a loss of the normal muscle atonia (paralysis) that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, allowing individuals to act out their dreams physically. This can lead to disruptive and sometimes dangerous behaviors during sleep.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the loss of the normal muscle atonia (paralysis) that occurs during REM sleep, allowing the person to act out their dreams physically. This can lead to disruptive and potentially harmful behaviors during sleep.
SIDS: SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under the age of one, typically occurring during sleep. It is one of the leading causes of death among infants in developed countries and a major concern for parents and healthcare providers.
SIDS is closely related to the topics of sleep problems and disorders, as it occurs primarily during an infant's sleep. Understanding the risk factors, prevention strategies, and underlying mechanisms of SIDS is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of infants.
Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing and fragmented sleep. It is a common condition that can have significant impacts on an individual's health and well-being.
Sleep Debt: Sleep debt refers to the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep over an extended period of time. It is the difference between the amount of sleep a person needs and the amount of sleep they actually get, leading to a 'sleep deficit' that can have negative consequences on physical and mental health.
Sleep Efficiency: Sleep efficiency is a measure of the quality of a person's sleep, calculated as the ratio of the total time spent asleep to the total time spent in bed. It is an important indicator of sleep health and can provide insights into sleep problems and disorders.
Sleep Hygiene: Sleep hygiene refers to the practices and habits that promote consistent, high-quality sleep. It encompasses a variety of behavioral, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence an individual's ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
Sleep Paralysis: Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when waking up or falling asleep. During an episode, the individual is fully conscious but experiences a feeling of being held down or unable to move their body, often accompanied by a sense of fear or panic.
Sleepwalking: Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder characterized by the occurrence of complex behaviors, such as walking or performing other activities, while the individual is still asleep. It is a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder involving undesirable experiences or behaviors that occur during sleep.
Somnambulism: Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, is a sleep disorder characterized by a person getting up and walking around while still in a state of deep sleep. It is a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder that involves abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while sleeping.