Sleep Disorders

Types & Treatments

Monday, May 21, 12

Sleep Disorders
Primary Sleep Disorders:
-Dyssomnias
- Insomnia
- Narcolepsy
- Breathing-Related Sleeping Disorders
- Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
-Parasomnias
- Nightmares
- Night Terrors
- Sleepwalking
- Sleep Paralysis

Monday, May 21, 12

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Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep &
staying asleep.
Not due to direct effects
of substance use or
general medical
condition.
About 60 million
Americans have chronic
insomnia.
Affects 40% of women
and 30 % of men.
Acute or Chronic
Treatment: medication or
behavior modification.
Monday, May 21, 12

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications
Drug or alcohol use

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications
Drug or alcohol use
Psychiatric disorders (e.g.,

depression, anxiety)

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications
Drug or alcohol use
Psychiatric disorders (e.g.,

depression, anxiety)

Medical disorders

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications
Drug or alcohol use
Psychiatric disorders (e.g.,

depression, anxiety)

Medical disorders
Sleep apnea

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications
Drug or alcohol use
Psychiatric disorders (e.g.,

depression, anxiety)

Medical disorders
Sleep apnea
Restless leg syndrome

Monday, May 21, 12

Chronic Causes of Insomnia

Medications
Drug or alcohol use
Psychiatric disorders (e.g.,

depression, anxiety)

Medical disorders
Sleep apnea
Restless leg syndrome
Poor sleep hygiene
Monday, May 21, 12

Insomnia Treatment

Monday, May 21, 12

Insomnia Treatment
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia. These
changes might make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help
relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing) insomnia. Anxiety tends to prolong
insomnia.
Several medicines also can help relieve insomnia and re-establish a regular sleep
schedule.
Monday, May 21, 12

Sleep Apnea
Repeated stoppage in breathing
during sleep
Caused by lack of breathing
drive (central) or by blockage
(obstructive)
Signs/Symptoms:
Snoring, headaches, fatigue,
poor sleep, chronic
congestion, irritability,
obesity, sexual dysfunction

Monday, May 21, 12

Treatment: Continual Positive Airway Pressure

(CPAP), Lifestyle Changes, and Surgery.

Medications
Albuterol

Corticosteroids

Attention Deficit Disorder Meds (e.g.

Ritalin)

SSRIs (antidepressants)

Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine,
Phenylephrine)
Caffeine
Diet pills"
Nicotine

Phenytoin (seizure medication)

Chemotherapy (cancer
medications)
Beta-blockers (high blood
pressure meds)

Thyroid medications
Monday, May 21, 12

Circadian Rhythm Sleep

Disorder
Persistent pattern of sleep disruption
leading to excessive sleepiness or
insomnia due to mismatch between sleepwake schedule.
Obvious distress/impairment in social
and occupational settings.
Delayed Sleep Phase Type
An unnatural sleeping pattern created by
falling asleep late and waking up late
which eventually establishes an inability
to fall asleep and awaken at a desired
earlier time.
Monday, May 21, 12

Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy (NAR-ko-lep-se) is a

disorder that causes periods of extreme

daytime sleepiness due to trouble sleeping at
night and is sometimes accompanied by
paralysis and hallucinations

Hallucinations: Vivid, life-like dreams

that occur while falling asleep or waking up.

Sleep paralysis: This condition prevents

you from moving or speaking while waking up

and sometimes while falling asleep. Last from
a few seconds to a few minutes.

Monday, May 21, 12

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Narcolepsy Causes
Hypocretin (hi-po-KREET-in), a chemical in
the brain that helps promote wakefulness. Most
people who have narcolepsy have low levels of this
chemical. What causes these low levels is unknown.

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Possible factors include:

Heredity. Some people may inherit a gene that affects hypocretin. Up to 10% of people who
have narcolepsy report having a relative with the same symptoms.
Infections
Brain injuries caused by brain tumors, strokes, or trauma.
Autoimmune disorders
Low levels of histamine, a substance in the blood that promotes wakefulness.
Monday, May 21, 12

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Narcoleptic
Cataplexy
Cataplexy (KAT-ahplek-se) This condition
causes a sudden loss of muscle
tone while you're awake.
Muscle weakness can affect
certain parts of your body or
your whole body. For example,
if cataplexy affects your hand,
you may drop what you're
holding. It may last seconds or
minutes.
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Sleepwalking
(somnambulism)
Sleepwalking is a disorder that
occurs when people walk or do
another activity while they are
still asleep.
Sleepwalking most often occurs during
deep, non-REM sleep, early in the night.
Sleepwalking happens most often in
children ages 5 - 12.

The episode can last from a few seconds to

over 30 minutes.
Monday, May 21, 12

Symptoms of sleepwalking
include:

Confusion/disorientation when woken up.

A blank look on their face.
Opening their eyes while still asleep.
No memory of the episode.
Performing a detailed activity of any type
while still asleep.

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Sleep Paralysis
In the early stages of sleep.
A person suddenly wakes
up and is aware of their
surroundings, but cannot
move.
Treated with
antidepressants and SSRIs

Monday, May 21, 12

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Night Terrors
Night terrors (sleep terrors)
are a sleep disorder in which a
person quickly wakes from
sleep in a terrified state.
The cause is unknown, but night
terrors may be triggered by:
Fever
Lack of sleep
Periods of emotional tension,
stress, or conflict.
Frightening movies or
TV shows.
Monday, May 21, 12

Most common in children ages 3 - 7

between midnight and 2 a.m.

A person may remember the details of

the dream and will not be disoriented after

the episode.

Treatment: Reducing stress may reduce

night terrors.

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Nightmares
Prevalence by Age Group

Extremely frightening dreams that

occur in REM sleep.
Less intense then sleep terrors.

Young Adults
3%
Adults
47%

3-5 Year Olds

50%

Person rapidly becomes aware and

alert almost immediately after waking
up.
Monday, May 21, 12

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Restless Leg Syndrome

Neurological disorder that is characterized by unpleasant
sensations of legs and an urge to move them when at the
rest.
The unpleasant feelings are described as creeping, crawling, pulling, itching,
tingling, burning, aching, or electric shocks.
The urges to move happen when the body is at rest and inactive. Thus, being worse
in the evening which can cause chronic sleep disturbances and sleep deprivation.
Causes: Mostly unknown (idiopathic)
Treatment: underlying cause, some meds, and exercise.
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Sleep Hygiene

Monday, May 21, 12

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Sleep Hygiene

Monday, May 21, 12

Try to limit caffeine intake.

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Sleep Hygiene

Monday, May 21, 12

Try to limit caffeine intake.

Have a light snack before bedtime. (no big meals

before bedtime)

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Sleep Hygiene

Monday, May 21, 12

Try to limit caffeine intake.

Have a light snack before bedtime. (no big meals

before bedtime)

Set your bedroom for a comfortable temperature.

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Sleep Hygiene

Monday, May 21, 12

Try to limit caffeine intake.

Have a light snack before bedtime. (no big meals

before bedtime)

Set your bedroom for a comfortable temperature.

Minimize light exposure.

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Sleep Hygiene

Monday, May 21, 12

Try to limit caffeine intake.

Have a light snack before bedtime. (no big meals

before bedtime)

Set your bedroom for a comfortable temperature.

Minimize light exposure.

Try to follow a regular and consistent sleep schedule.

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Sources

Monday, May 21, 12

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