Sleep disorders are conditions that prevent a person from getting restful sleep and, as a result, can cause daytime sleepiness and
dysfunction. There are approximately eighty different types of sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorders are:
Snoring can be a problem simply because of the noise it causes. It may also be a marker of a more serious sleep problem called Sleep Apnea. It is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. Snoring has a tendency to worsen with age.
Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. However, if you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own sleep quality. Medical assistance is often needed for habitual snorers (and their loved ones) to get a good night's sleep.
People with untreated Sleep Apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night. There are two types: obstructive and central. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the more common of the two. It is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses during sleep.
Men, overweight people, and people over 40 are at greater risk for Sleep Apnea.
In addition, untreated it may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.
It is not that you cannot breathe (which is true in Obstructive Sleep Apnea); rather, you do not try to breathe at all. The brain does not tell your muscles to breathe. This type is called central apnea because it is related to the function of the central nervous system and is usually associated with serious illness, especially an illness in which the lower brainstem (which controls breathing) is affected.
Insomnia varies in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. Insomnia can be short-term and stem from a simple cause, such as Jet Lag, a stressful event, or drinking too much coffee. Long-term insomnia may be caused by stress, depression, or anxiety. People can also become conditioned to insomnia: They associate bedtime with difficulty, expect to have trouble sleeping (and thus do), and become irritable (which can cause more insomnia).
The key feature of circadian rhythm disorders is a continuous or occasional disruption of sleep patterns. The disruption results from either a malfunction in the "internal body clock" or a mismatch between the "internal body clock" and the external environment regarding the timing and duration of sleep. As a result of the circadian mismatch, individuals with these disorders usually complain of insomnia at certain times and excessive sleepiness at other times of the day, resulting in work, school, or social impairment.
The cause of Jet Lag is the inability of the body of a traveler to immediately adjust to the time in a different zone. As the body struggles to cope with the new schedule, temporary insomnia, fatigue, irritability, and an impaired ability to concentrate may set in. The changed bathroom schedule may cause constipation or diarrhea, and the brain may become confused and disoriented as it attempts to juggle schedules.
Jet Lag is a common problem for travelers, and more common in those over 50 than in those under 30. Incidences vary depending on how many time zones and the direction of travel. These effects may be felt a day or two after travel. Frequent travelers can develop chronic Jet Lag symptoms.
Schedules of these people go against the body's natural Circadian rhythm, and individuals have difficulty adjusting to the different sleep and wake schedule. SWSD consists of a constant or recurrent pattern of sleep interruption that results in insomnia or excessive sleepiness. This disorder is common in people who work non-traditional hours, usually between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Shift workers must be willing to make sleep a priority. People who work shifts other than a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. routine might have to prepare for sleep even though it might be daylight outside. Prepare your body and mind for sleep. Minimize exposure to light on your way home from work if you are on the night shift to keep morning sunlight from activating your internal "daytime clock." Follow bedtime rituals and try to keep a regular sleep schedule - even on weekends. Go to sleep as soon as possible after work. It is important to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day.
"Periodic" refers to the fact that the movements are repetitive and rhythmic, occurring about every 20-40 seconds. They tend to cluster in episodes that last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. PLMD is considered a sleep disorder, because the movements often disrupt sleep and lead to daytime sleepiness.
The causes of PLMD are unknown. However recent research has shown that people with a variety of medical problems, including Parkinson's disease and narcolepsy, may have frequent periodic limb movements in sleep. PLMD may also be caused by medications, most notably, antidepressants.
In people who have Restless Legs Syndrome, discomfort in the legs and feet peaks during the evening and night. They feel an urge to move their legs and feet to get temporary relief, often with excessive, rhythmic, or cyclic leg movements during sleep. This can delay sleep onset and disrupt sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness.
Narcolepsy is characterized by extreme, overwhelming sleepiness during the day. It is caused by a dysfunction of the brain mechanisms controlling sleep and waking. The person may suddenly fall asleep midsentence, while at work, or behind the wheel of a car. Other symptoms of narcolepsy include the sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, when surprised or upset (which can be severe enough to cause a collapse), and vivid hallucinations as the person is falling asleep.
The symptoms of narcolepsy can be found in several other conditions, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea, so accurate diagnosis is critical.
Sometimes children who have Night Terrors remember a frightening image, but often they remember nothing. Though Night Terrors can be alarming for parents who witness them, they're not usually a cause for concern or a sign of a deeper medical issue. Most children outgrow sleep terrors by adolescence.
Nightmares are disturbing dreams associated with negative feelings, such as anxiety or fear. Nightmares seem real, often becoming more disturbing as the dream unfolds. Nightmares can be triggered by a frightening or stressful event, a fever or illness, or the use of some medications or alcohol. They may begin in childhood and tend to decrease after about age 10. However, some people have them as teens or adults, or throughout their lives. They may become a problem if you have them frequently and they cause you to fear going to sleep or keep you from sleeping well.
7155 Woodbine Avenue
Suite B103
Markham ON L3R 1A3
3024 Hurontario Street
Suite 208
Mississauga ON L5B 4M4
135 Queen's Plate Drive
Suite 140
Etobicoke ON M9W 6V1
295 College St.
Suite 301
Toronto, ON, M5T 1S2
1849 Yonge Street
Suite 303
Toronto ON M4S 1X8
586 Eglinton Avenue East
Suite 507
Toronto ON M4P 1P2
Poor sleep negatively affects health, brain function and overall quality of life. Assistive sleeping devices help to provide a positive outlook and allow the body to naturally heal during sleep.
If you are suffering with poor sleep or your CPAP therapy is inadequate, we are here to help.