Sleep Disorders:

EQ: What are sleep disorders and how do they affect us?

What is a Sleep Disorder???• Our sleep/awake pattern also follows a

circadian rhythm where certain events repeat approximately every 24 hours

• This is why we generally get tired after between 14 to 18 wakeful hours

• Sleep disorders are any psychological/physiological disruption in this rhythm

• These disorders can have negative consequences in an individual

The Circadian Rhythm

I. Insomnia• When we have difficulty falling asleep or

staying asleep, we are suffering form insomnia

• The result will be a felling of fatigue during our waking hours

• This lack of sleep can lead to an inability to function correctly or even mental stress

• Although we can treat insomnia with medication, it can be dangerous be

Insomnia Treatments:

II. Narcolepsy• In narcolepsy one goes from a state of

wakefulness to a state of REM sleep almost instantly.

• This is generally followed by almost instant wakefulness

• If the narcoleptic person falls, they can injure themselves or others

• Using drugs, such as Provigil and Nuvigil, narcolepsy can successfully be treated

• Narcoleptics can also schedule frequent naps to avoid “unsafe” sleeping

Narcolepsy

III. Sleep Apnea• In sleep apnea, people stop breathing while

they are asleep• These “interruptions” can be brief (less than

a second) or can be longer• While this is both unhealthy (potentially

deadly), it also severely effects the circadian rhythm

• People with sleep apnea also are more likely to suffer from obesity, anxiety, depression, and dozens of other physical/mental ailments

III. Sleep Study

IV. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome• In some extreme cases babies can die in their

sleep• This devastating disorder called SIDS effects

roughly 2 in every 1000 babies born in America• SIDS generally effects boys more than girls,

babies who were born below weight, and between 2-4 months of age

• The reason for SIDS is not completely known but there are several theories

1. Baby Position2. Birth Defect3. Foreign Contaminents

SIDS: A Horrible Disorder

V. Sleepwalking/Talking:• The reasons for sleepwalking are unknown,

but must be in some way related to the motor cortex which usually almost completely shuts down in our sleep

• Yes, you can wake up a person who is sleepwalking with no harm

• Some people do not walk, but talk• Some people do both

The Dangers of Sleepwalking

VI. Nightmares• A nightmare is an intense bad dream that

occurs during REM sleep• These nightmares are usually made up of

intense images and scenes that cause fear in the individual

• Luckily, nightmares are often ignored and forgotten and only occasionally wake us up

A Nightmare???

VII. Night Terrors• Night-Terrors occur in Level 4 Sleep• These are much more intense than

nightmares and can literally awaken one while screaming

• Most people have a difficult time falling asleep after a night terror

• This disorder is sometimes treated through medicine

The Terrors of the Night

VIII. REM Behavior Disorder• In REM sleep, we are generally motionless• People with REM Behavior Disorder, however

often move and have even been known to act out their dreams

• People have driven cars, jumped from buildings, and almost killed their loved-ones during episodes of REM Behavior Disorder

• While this disorder may be linked to brain degeneration, it can effect anyone

Death by REM Disorder???

IX. Non-24 Hour Circadian Disorder• In a “normal” person, our circadian rhythm

will reset every 24 hours• A person Non-24 Hour Circadian Rhythm

might reset after 26 hours one day and 18 the next or 30 the following day

• Because of this, they cannot get onto a normal schedule and may struggle with some basic tasks

• Certain medications have been shown to be successful in treating this disorder

What time is it???