Treatment should be sought from a health care provider. As interruption of regular breathing or obstruction of the airway during sleep can pose serious health complications, symptoms of sleep apnea should be taken seriously. ![]() Sleep Disorder Service and Research Center, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Gentle air pressure administered during sleep (typically in the form of a nasal continuous positive airway pressure device) may also be effective in the treatment of sleep apnea. Use of sleep hygiene in the treatment of insomnia. If other medical problems are present, such as congestive heart failure or nasal obstruction, sleep apnea may resolve with treatment of these conditions. Treatment of sleep apnea is dependent on its cause. Those with sleep apnea may also experience excessive daytime sleepiness, as their sleep is commonly interrupted and may not feel restorative. Persons with sleep apnea characteristically make periodic gasping or “snorting” noises, during which their sleep is momentarily interrupted. Snoring may be more than just an annoying habit – it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Healthcare providers often combine a medication to help correct the underlying dopamine abnormality along with a medicine to promote sleep continuity in the treatment of RLS. Abnormalities in the neurotransmitter dopamine have often been associated with RLS. This often causes difficulty initiating sleep and is relieved by movement of the leg, such as walking or kicking. RLS is characterized by an unpleasant “creeping” sensation, often feeling like it is originating in the lower legs, but often associated with aches and pains throughout the legs. The healthcare provider may treat narcolepsy with stimulant medications combined with behavioral interventions, such as regularly scheduled naps, to minimize the potential disruptiveness of narcolepsy on the individual’s life. Episodes of narcolepsy have been described as “sleep attacks” and may occur in unusual circumstances, such as walking and other forms of physical activity. The sudden muscle weakness seen in narcolepsy may be elicited by strong emotion or surprise. NarcolepsyĮxcessive daytime sleepiness (including episodes of irresistible sleepiness) combined with sudden muscle weakness are the hallmark signs of narcolepsy. Health care providers may treat chronic insomnia with a combination of use of sedative-hypnotic or sedating antidepressant medications, along with behavioral techniques to promote regular sleep. Individuals with this condition may sleep better when not in their own beds. Chronic psychophysiological insomnia (or “learned” or “conditioned” insomnia) may result from a stressor combined with fear of being unable to sleep. Before arriving at a diagnosis of primary insomnia, the healthcare provider will rule out other potential causes, such as other sleep disorders, side effects of medications, substance abuse, depression, or other previously undetected illness. Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep may often manifest itself as excessive daytime sleepiness, which characteristically results in functional impairment throughout the day. It may also take the form of early morning awakening in which the individual awakens several hours early and is unable to resume sleeping. Insomnia is characterized by an inability to initiate or maintain sleep. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing any of the following, it is important to receive an evaluation by a healthcare provider or, if necessary, a provider specializing in sleep medicine. The following is a description of some of the major sleep disorders. ![]() ![]() Insomnia affects a person’s cognitive awareness, reflexive and reaction capability, and physical impairment because of insomnia can result in injury to self or others.Sleep-related difficulties affect many people. Insomnia requires an accurate diagnosis and implementation of guideline directed intervention because of its effect on the patient and the public at large. Chronic insomnia is present for at least a month and may present itself with a variety of specific patient complaints and etiologies. According to the American Academy of Sleep Disorders, insomnia is the subjective perception of difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate opportunity for sleep, and that results in some form of daytime impairment. Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder in the general population. Sleep is a necessary component for life, and a patient’s health is directly affected by the amount and quality of sleep.
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