 
These are among the most common of what are called "Sleep Disorders."
They are mostly different than not being able to sleep due to back
pain or acid reflux or leg cramps -- which are generally considered
fairly common health-related or physical problems.
Sleep Apnea: This is a serious
(possibly life-threatening) condition that manifests itself with brief
interruptions of breathing while sleeping. Sleep apnea may be associated
with high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke or irregular heartbeat.
There are two types --central and obstructive. Central is less common
and occurs when the brain fails to signal the breathing muscles to
begin taking breaths. Obstructive occurs when air can't flow in or
out of the mouth or nose -- even though efforts to breathe continue.
The number of breathing "pauses" in any night might be 20
to 60 or more per hour. Snoring almost always accompanies sleep apnea,
but not all snorers have sleep apnea. Signs of the condition are early
morning headache and daytime sleepiness. Consult your physician or
a sleep specialist for more information.
Restless Leg Syndrome: Known as
RLS, this condition manifests itself by an urge to move the legs.
There are also often uncomfortable feelings usually described as "creeping"
or "crawling" -- but also as "cramping" or "burning"
or "tingling" in addition to just plain "pain."
To relieve the discomfort, there is an urgent need to move the legs.
RLS appears in 2% to 5% of the population -- in varying intensity.
Not much is known about the cause -- although some cases have been
associated with nerve damage in the legs due to diabetes, kidney problems
or alcoholism. Another possible RLS cause has been identified as side
effects of a pinched sciatic nerve root.
Disturbed sleep is commonplace with RLS both because of the difficulty
in getting to sleep with it -- or getting back to sleep after having
been awakened by it.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder:
This problem (PLMS) is similar to restless leg syndrome and is characterized
by a periodic jerking of the legs (and sometimes the arms) during
sleep. These movements cause multiple sleep interruptions -- often
so brief that the sleeper doesn't notice them. But the sleeper's partner
may.
PLMS is not uncomfortable for the sufferer (unlike RLS) but it can
cause excessive daytime sleepiness. The cause is not known, but PLMS
can be treated with drugs.
Narcolepsy: This is a chronic neurological
disorder characterized by episodes of short sleep at inappropriate
times -- such as falling asleep while eating dinner or during social
activities. Or at other times when the person wants to be awake.
Narcolepsy affects about one person in every 2,000 population -- with
the symptoms appearing between age 15 and 30. Recent research shows
that people with this chronic disorder lack a chemical in the brain
called hypocretin which normally stimulates arousal and helps regulate
sleep.
Persons with narcolepsy have fewer neurons that secrete the hypocretin,
but the disorder can be treated with medication.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: This
condition or disorder is characterized by punching, kicking, leaping
and running from bed during attempts to do the enactment of dreams.
Medical help is often sought after injury to either the person with
the disorder or the bed partner.
This action occurs during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep phase
-- so it would appear at about 90 minutes after the onset of sleep.
Violent episodes usually happen about once a week -- but can occur
as many as four times per night over several nights in a row. Victims
can recall their vivid dreams.
REM sleep behavior disorder is most common in older men and responds
well to medication. This disorder also has an acute, transient form
that sometimes goes along with withdrawal from alcohol or sedatives.
Sleepwalking, sleep talking, sleep terrors
and jet lag are other common sleep
disorders that may be discussed with your doctor or a sleep specialist.
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