Sleep disorder

Sleep disorder
A child sits on a hospital bed in pyjamas with soft toys. Along with other measurement devices, the child has electrodes taped to their scalp and face.
Pediatric polysomnography
SpecialtyClinical psychology, Psychiatry, Sleep medicine, Neurology

A sleep disorder, or somnipathy, is a medical disorder of an individual's sleep patterns. Some sleep disorders are severe enough to interfere with normal physical, mental, social and emotional functioning. Sleep disorders are frequent and can have serious consequences on patients' health and quality of life.[1] Polysomnography and actigraphy are tests commonly ordered for diagnosing sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders are broadly classified into dyssomnias, parasomnias, circadian rhythm sleep disorders involving the timing of sleep, and other disorders including ones caused by medical or psychological conditions. When a person struggles to fall asleep or stay asleep with no obvious cause , it is referred to as insomnia,[2] which is the most common sleep disorder.[3] Others include sleep apnea, narcolepsy and hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness at inappropriate times), sleeping sickness (disruption of sleep cycle due to infection), sleepwalking, and night terrors.

Sleep disruptions can be caused by various issues, including teeth grinding (bruxism) and night terrors. Management of sleep disturbances that are secondary to mental, medical or substance abuse disorders should focus on the underlying conditions.[4]

Primary sleep disorders are common in both children and adults. However, there is a significant lack of awareness of children with sleep disorders, due to most cases being unidentified.[5] Several common factors involved in the onset of a sleep disorder include increased medication use, age-related changes in circadian rhythms, environmental changes, lifestyle changes,[6] pre-diagnosed physiological problems, or stress. Among the elderly, the risk of developing sleep disordered breathing, periodic limb movements, restless legs syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorders, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disturbances is especially increased.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pavlova 292–299 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Hirshkowitz M (2004). "Chapter 10, Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Sleep and Sleep Disorders (pp 315-340)" (Google Books preview includes entire chapter 10). In Yudofsky SC, Hales RE (eds.). Essentials of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences (4 ed.). Arlington, Virginia, USA: American Psychiatric Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58562-005-0. ...insomnia is a symptom. It is neither a disease nor a specific condition. (from p. 322)
  3. ^ "APA "What are sleep disorders?"". www.psychiatry.org. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
  4. ^ "Sleep Problems and Sleep Disorders". Sleepify. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  5. ^ Meltzer LJ, Johnson C, Crosette J, Ramos M, Mindell JA (June 2010). "Prevalence of diagnosed sleep disorders in pediatric primary care practices". Pediatrics. 125 (6): e1410–e1418. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-2725. PMC 3089951. PMID 20457689.
  6. ^ a b Roepke, S. K., & Ancoli-Israel, S. (2010). Sleep disorders in the elderly. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 131, 302–310.

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