Classification of Sleep Disorders

Study Notes

Classification of Sleep Disorders

Insomnias: difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep
Sleep-related breathing disorders: abnormal breathing patterns during sleep (e.g., sleep apnea)
Sleep-related movement disorders: abnormal movements during sleep (e.g., restless leg syndrome)
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders: disruptions to the body's internal clock (e.g., jet lag)
Parasomnias: abnormal behaviors during sleep (e.g., sleepwalking, sleep terrors)
Sleep-related hypersomnias: excessive daytime sleepiness (e.g., narcolepsy)

Insomnia

Definition: difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both
Types:
- Acute insomnia: short-term sleep disruption
- Chronic insomnia: ongoing sleep disruption for at least 3 months
Causes:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Medications
- Caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Irregular sleep schedules

Sleep Apnea

Definition: repeated episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
Types:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): blockage of the airway
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): lack of respiratory effort
Risk factors:
- Obesity
- Age (over 40)
- Smoking
- Family history
Symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Headaches

Narcolepsy

Definition: excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep
Symptoms:
- Sudden sleep attacks
- Cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness)
- Hypnagogic hallucinations (dream-like experiences when falling asleep)
- Sleep paralysis (inability to move when falling asleep or waking up)
Causes:
- Genetic predisposition
- Brain chemical imbalance
- Autoimmune disorders

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Definition: uncomfortable sensations in the legs, often causing an urge to move
Symptoms:
- Uncomfortable sensations (e.g., itching, tingling, burning)
- Urge to move the affected limb
- Worsening symptoms at rest
- Relief with movement
Causes:
- Genetic predisposition
- Iron deficiency
- Kidney problems
- Diabetes

Classification of Sleep Disorders

Five categories: insomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, and parasomnias

Insomnias

Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep
Types: acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term)
Causes: stress, anxiety, depression, medications, caffeine and alcohol consumption, and irregular sleep schedules

Sleep Apnea

Repeated episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
Types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA)
Risk factors: obesity, age (over 40), smoking, and family history
Symptoms: loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, daytime sleepiness, and headaches

Narcolepsy

Excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep
Symptoms: sudden sleep attacks, cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), hypnagogic hallucinations (dream-like experiences when falling asleep), and sleep paralysis (inability to move when falling asleep or waking up)
Causes: genetic predisposition, brain chemical imbalance, and autoimmune disorders

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Uncomfortable sensations in the legs, often causing an urge to move
Symptoms: uncomfortable sensations (e.g., itching, tingling, burning), urge to move the affected limb, worsening symptoms at rest, and relief with movement
Causes: genetic predisposition, iron deficiency, kidney problems, and diabetes

Description

This quiz covers the different types of sleep disorders, including insomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, and parasomnias.