Decoding Sleep Disorders

A Look at Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome & Narcolepsy.

Many individuals claim to experience insomnia, but what exactly is it? In this section, we provide a brief overview of insomnia, along with three other prevalent sleep disorders.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this section is intended for informational purposes only and should not be perceived as a formal diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice. While we aim to offer insights into insomnia and other sleep disorders, individual experiences may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your specific situation.

Insomnia: Unraveling the Night's Secrets

Insomnia is characterized by persistent difficulties in initiating or maintaining sleep, resulting in non-restorative sleep and daytime impairment. Common symptoms of Insomnia often include difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, challenges returning to sleep, early morning wake-ups,  daytime fatigue, irritability, impaired concentration and a prevalent perception of being *tired but wired*.

Insomnia's origins are diverse, ranging from psychological stressors to medical conditions and disruptions in lifestyle or sleep routines. It can manifest as acute (lasting a few nights) or become chronic, often transitioning easily from acute to chronic due to maladaptive coping techniques. A diagnosis of Insomnia involves a comprehensive clinical assessment. Notably, insomnia is the only disorder among those mentioned here that can be safely and effectively addressed through sleep hygiene, behavioral/lifestyle changes, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Sadly, however, it takes people an average of ten (10) years to receive treatment for insomnia - when success can be found in as little as 2-4 weeks! (Roth, 2007).

Sleep Apnea: Breathing Challenges in the Night

Sleep apnea involves repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) as common subtypes. Distinctive symptoms of Sleep Apnea include resonant snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep (all things that can be identified by a sleep partner or sleep study), daytime sleepiness (and an ability to 'fall asleep whenever and wherever') and challenges in maintaining sleep.

Underlying causes of OSA are linked to airway blockages, while CSA involves a failure of the brain to signal muscles to breathe. A Sleep Apnea diagnosis usually comes from a Polysomnography (or 'sleep') study, with treatments like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for OSA and adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) for CSA being most effective (Javaheri et al, 2017).

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): The Unsettling Leg Dance

RLS (or Willis-Ekbom disease) is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs during rest, compelling constant movement for relief. Common symptoms of RLS include non-painful sensations in the legs, an urge to move the legs for relief and worsening symptoms at rest, especially in the evening. Involuntary jerking of the legs while asleep is also very common.

Diagnosis relies on symptom descriptions and management of the condition typically includes engaging in helping sleep hygiene practices, lifestyle changes (avoiding caffeine, exercising, massaging and applying heat to the legs), a device that counter stimulates the legs through vibration, medications, and addressing other underlying causes (Mansur et al., 2023).

Narcolepsy: Navigating Excessive Sleepiness

Narcolepsy is actually a rapid eye movement (REM) disorder that involves excessive daytime sleepiness and is often accompanied by sleep paralysis. Distinctive symptoms often include what is referred to as daytime 'sleep attacks,' sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy) & very vivid dreams during REM Sleep (i.e. hypnagogic hallucinations).

There are two types. Type 1 (aka with cataplexy) and Type 2 (aka without cataplexy).

A diagnosis of Narcolepsy involves clinical evaluations and sleep studies. Treatment includes medications and lifestyle adjustments (i.e. 15 to 20 min naps throughout the day and adequate nighttime sleep schedules) to manage symptoms (Slowik et al., 2023).

Understanding the specifics of these sleep disorders is essential for seeking appropriate help. If you recognize symptoms in yourself or others, consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and personalized guidance. A good night's sleep awaits with informed intervention.

Sweet dreams!

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References

Mansur A, Castillo PR, Rocha Cabrero F, et al. Restless Legs Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Feb 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430878/

Roth T. (2007). Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences. J Clin Sleep Med. 3(5 Suppl):S7-10. PMID: 17824495; PMCID: PMC1978319.

Shahrokh Javaheri, Ferran Barbe, Francisco Campos-Rodriguez, Jerome A. Dempsey, Rami Khayat, Sogol Javaheri, Atul Malhotra, Miguel A. Martinez-Garcia, Reena Mehra, Allan I. Pack, Vsevolod Y. Polotsky, Susan Redline, Virend K. Somers. (2017). Sleep Apnea: Types, Mechanisms, and Clinical Cardiovascular Consequences. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Volume 69, Issue 7, Pages 841-858, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2016.11.069.

Slowik JM, Collen JF, Yow AG. Narcolepsy. [Updated 2023 Jun 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459236/