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No rest for the weary
AN insomniac suffers from inadequate sleep. Females of advanced age and with a history of depression are more likely to have sleepless nights.If other conditions such as stress, anxiety, a medical problem, or the use of certain medications occur along with the above conditions, insomnia is more likely. Short term sleep problems are associated with stress, environmental noise, extreme temperatures, changes in one's environment, changes in sleep/wake schedule problems such as jet lag and medication side effects. Chronic insomnia is due to a combination of factors, including underlying physical or mental disorders. One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia is depression. Other underlying causes include arthritis, kidney disease, heart failure, asthma, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and hyperthyroidism. However, chronic insomnia may also be due to behavioural factors, including the misuse of caffeine, alcohol, or other substances; disrupted sleep/wake cycles as may occur with shift work or other night-time activity schedules; and chronic stress. In addition, the following behaviours have been shown to perpetuate insomnia in some people: expecting to have difficulty sleeping and worrying about itingesting excessive amounts of caffeinedrinking alcohol before bedtimesmoking cigarettes before bedtimeexcessive napping in the afternoon or eveningirregular or continually disrupted sleep/wake schedules.Those who get adequate night time sleep and yet suffer from drowsiness may be experiencing Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), a condition in which an individual feels drowsy during the day and has an overwhelming urge to fall asleep, even after getting enough night-time sleep. People with EDS frequently doze, nap, or fall asleep in situations where they need or want to be fully awake and alert. This can be particularly dangerous at times, such as when driving a motor vehicle or operating hazardous machinery. EDS can interfere significantly with a person's ability to concentrate and perform daily tasks and routines. People with EDS often report feelings of low self-esteem, frustration and anger about being misunderstood and regarded as unintelligent, lazy or uninterested in learning. They also report having difficulty with relationships -- in social situations, in the workplace, and within the family. EDS is a sign of an underlying medical condition, typically a sleep disorder. Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterised by: Sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep at inappropriate times, such as while having dinner, talking, driving or workingSudden episodes of loss of muscle tone, ranging from slight weakness such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, or inability to speak clearly, to complete body collapse (This can be precipitated by intense emotion, such as laughter or anger.)Inability to talk or move when falling asleep or waking upVivid, often unpleasant, dream-like experiences that occur while dozing or falling asleepDisrupted night-time sleep with frequent awakeningsPerformance of routine tasks without memory of the actionLearning and memory difficulties Not all individuals with narcolepsy experience every sign or symptom. Sleep apnea Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening breathing disorder characterised by: Brief interruptions of air flow during sleep and loss of oxygenRepetitive arousals, often unnoticed during sleepFalling asleep at inappropriate times during the day, such as while driving, working or talking Early morning headaches Depression, irritability and sexual dysfunction Learning and memory difficultiesPeriodic Leg Movements in Sleep (PLMS) This is a syndrome that consists of periodic movements of the legs, feet, and/or toes during sleep. People with PLMS are often not aware of these movements, and complain of symptoms, including: Insomnia Excessive daytime sleepinessFrequent awakenings from sleep, or Unrefreshing sleep Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) This condition is marked by uncomfortable leg sensations that occur continually while the body is at rest. It may be a central nervous system disorder and occasionally is associated with iron-deficiency anaemia, pregnancy or diabetes. It is characterised by the following signs and symptoms: The urge to move the legs, which is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the foot, calf or upper leg (These sensations are usually described as a creeping or crawling feeling and may sometimes be experienced as a tingling, cramping or burning sensation.) The need to move the legs to relieve the discomfort by stretching, bending or rubbing the legs, tossing or turning in bed, or getting up and pacing the floor A worsening of discomfort when lying down, especially when trying to fall asleep at night A tendency to experience the most discomfort late in the day and at night Continuous night-time sleep disruption Daytime fatigueCircadian rhythm disruption Shift workers attempt to sleep when their bodies tell them to be awake, which often results in chronic sleep loss. Shift workers are more likely than people who keep "traditional" work schedules to experience: Memory and concentration difficulties and impaired job performance Stomach problems (especially heartburn and indigestion) Menstrual irregularities Colds and flu Weight gain High blood pressure and heart problems Workplace and automobile accidents.Source: National Sleep Foundation of America
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