Sleep Disorders and Related Conditions

Insomnia

• Common experience of being unable to fall asleep.
• Symptoms include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and impaired performance.

Hypersomnia

• Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep.
• Feels like a constant state of drowsiness; caffeine often ineffective.

Narcolepsy

• Chronic neurological disorder with excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
• Associated symptoms:
  • Cataplexy: Sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions.
  • Sleep paralysis: Inability to move or speak when waking up or falling asleep.
  • Hallucinations: Vivid experiences during sleep transitions.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Condition where airway blockage causes breathing interruptions during sleep.
• Symptoms include loud snoring, choking, or gasping.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

• Neurological disorder causing uncomfortable leg sensations and an urge to move them.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

• Involuntary and repetitive limb movements during sleep, often rhythmic.
• Movements can vary in intensity.

Hypnic Jerks

• Involuntary muscle twitches or spasms as a person falls asleep.
• Often accompanied by a sensation of falling.

Bruxism

• Involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, often unnoticed.
• Can cause dental damage, jaw disorders, headaches.
• Linked to stress, anxiety, and certain medications.

Catathrenia

• Nocturnal groaning during sleep, unlike snoring as it occurs during exhalation.

Bedwetting (Enuresis)

• Involuntary urination during sleep, common in children but can occur in adults.

Nocturia

• Frequent waking at night to urinate.
• Causes include excessive fluid intake, urinary infections, diabetes.

Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)

• Rare disorder with sudden loud noise sensations in the head when falling asleep or waking up.

Sleep Terror

• Intense fear episodes during sleep, often with rapid heart rate and sweating.
• Typically fades from memory quickly.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)

• Loss of muscle paralysis during REM sleep allows acting out dreams.
• Individuals may remember their dreams post-episode.

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

• Complex behaviors during non-REM sleep, such as walking or performing daily tasks.
• Can range from simple to complex actions.

Sleep Talking

• Uttering words or phrases while asleep, can include conversations.

Sleep Sex (Sexomnia)

• Engaging in sexual activities during sleep, occurs during non-REM sleep.

Sleeping Sickness

• Parasitic disease affecting sub-Saharan Africa, transmitted by tsetse flies.

Sleep Paralysis

• Temporary inability to move or speak, often with chest pressure and fear.

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD)

• Persistent delay in sleep onset and wake times; difficulty sleeping at conventional times.

Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder (ASPD)

• Tendency to sleep and wake earlier than desired.

Non-24 Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder

• Gradual delay in sleep-wake schedule, resulting in cycles longer than 24 hours.

Shift Work Sleep Disorder

• Mismatch between natural sleep-wake cycles and work schedules, common in non-9-to-5 jobs.

Jet Lag

• Temporary disruption of circadian rhythm due to travel across time zones.
• Symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues.