Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Narcolepsy,
Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders.

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Self-help guide for managing sleepiness.

Self-help guide for managing insomnia.

Self-help guide for managing sleep apnea and resolving CPAP problems.

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SELF-HELP GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND CONTROLLING EXCESSIVE SLEEPINESS Is sleepiness a common problem? Yes! One that's becoming more widespread in our increasingly sleep-deprived society. The United States recently passed Japan in having the longest work hours and least vacation time of any country in the world! Nearly all sleep centers see many more sleepy patients than 'insomniacs'. Can sleepiness be serious? Yes, even to the point of being dangerous since it frequently is underestimated or not even perceived by the person suffering from it. Sleepiness is now recognized as one of the leading causes of highway fatalities and major industrial disasters. Other consequences include workplace injury, decreased productivity, job loss, school failure, loss of self-esteem, social/marital problems and divorce. Wouldn't I know if I were too sleepy, or if I dozed off at inappropriate times? No, surprisingly not. Many people simply don't sense their sleepiness. Instead, they may note memory impairment, difficulty concentrating, inefficiency, irritability or lack of drive to get things done---without recognizing the underlying sleepiness that caused those problems. Many people seek help only upon the insistence of concerned family members or employers, who were better able to perceive the patient's sleepiness. What causes excessive sleepiness? Simply put: problems with sleep, problems with the brain mechanisms that should keep one awake, or a combination of both.When sleepiness is severe and chronic, the following conditions are the major suspects: 1. Sleep apnea/related breathing abnormalities during sleep are the leading causes of severe sleepiness beginning or progressively worsening in adulthood. They are exceedingly common, can cause other serious medical complications and typically are quite treatable without medications. 2. Narcolepsy, a condition as common as multiple sclerosis, causes chronic, lifelong sleepiness and in some cases, symptoms related to altered timing of rapid eye movement (REM or 'dream') sleep or its component parts. Many narcoleptics recall vivid dreaming that begins within minutes of falling asleep, because they enter REM sleep too quickly. They may even begin dreaming when drowsy (hypnagogic hallucinations). Narcoleptics are more likely than normals to experience the paralysis normally restricted to REM sleep when first dozing off or upon awakening (sleep paralysis: frightening but harmless). Cataplexy involves attacks of muscle weakness (sagging face, bobbing head, inability to speak, buckling knees) triggered by emotions like laughter, excitement or anger: again, the paralysis of REM sleep occurring at the wrong time! Narcolepsy, a brain chemical imbalance, sometimes runs in families, usually beginning in the teens or twenties but occasionally in later life. It is treated by medications and avoidance of aggravating factors. 3. Idiopathic CNS (Central Nervous System) Hypersomnia probably can result from a number of different brain chemical imbalances with a similar consequence: chronic sleepiness, without the REM sleep-related symptoms typical of narcolepsy. Idiopathic hypersomnia can begin at the same age as narcolepsy. Its treatment is quite similar: medications and avoidance of aggravating factors. It is important to realize that many patients who have been misdiagnosed as idiopathic hypersomnia actually suffer from a subtle breathing disorder related to sleep apnea (UPPER AIRWAY RESISTANCE SYNDROME) which is easier to treat in most cases than idiopathic hypersomnia, and it is easily missed by conventional sleep monitoring techniques. Hence, it is important to ensure that the sleep center at which you seek help is equipped to detect this very common condition. 4. Other causes of abnormal sleepiness include causes of sleep disruption other than breathing problems, insufficient sleep, head injuries, other brain disorders, alcohol, many prescribed and over-the-counter medications, some toxic chemicals, chronic infections, hormonal imbalances such as hypothyroidism, depression and other mood disorders. Often, treatable sleep disorders are misdiagnosed as 'chronic fatigue syndrome'. 5. Finally, all that looks like sleepiness may not be---For example, "low grade" seizure activity sometimes provokes staring spells, inattention, and confused, sluggish-appearing behavior mimicking sleepiness. Click here to continue...

COLUMBUS COMMUNITY HEALTH
REGIONAL SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER

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INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC SLEEP DISORDERS Sleep apnea and snoring. Excessive sleepiness. Narcolepsy. Idiopathic hypersomnia. Insomnia. Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome and Restless Legs.   Abnormal behaviors in sleep. REM Behavior Disorder (acting out of dreams). Sleep-related seizures. Panic attacks and sleep. Gastroesophageal reflux. Fibromyalgia and chronic pain. "Biorhythm" disorders.	INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS Analyze the problem: self-test for patients. Analyze the problem: questions for observers. Sleep apnea: its impact on patients and family. Encouraging family & friends to seek help. Selecting a sleep disorders center. Help for sleep-related illnesses. What if you or a loved one has been left untreated? Tips for managing sleep apnea, sleepiness & insomnia. Sleep hygiene: tips for healthy sleep.	INFORMATION FOR OTHERS: Information for health professionals. Information for health insurers. Information for employers and the transportation industry. AND FOR MORE INFORMATION: Links to other sites. Announcements & upcoming events. Press releases. Search The Sleep Site: Search the medical literature.
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