Sleep apnea is one of the more common sleep disorders but, unfortunately, it is also potentially one of the most dangerous, if left untreated. Besides for the typical symptoms of sleep apnea, such as exceptionally loud snoring, abrupt shortness of breath during sleep, awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat and insomnia and hypersomnia, …
There is perhaps nothing more dangerous than getting a consistent lack of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause the symptoms of many other sleep disorders, among other internal and external problems. These can include episodes of sleep walking, sleep paralysis, and sleep related hallucinations. However, it’s important to note that sleep deprecation can also exacerbate …
One of the less talked about sleep disorders, night terrors typically affect children around the ages of 3 to 12 years old, and can have serious consequences if not treated properly. During an episode of night terrors, a person may scream, feel intense fear, and flail uncontrollably. Having night terror is distinctly different from having …
Due to economic conditions, many Americans have been forced into shift work, dealing with an erratic work schedule that can sometimes disrupt normal sleep patterns. This has lead to a rise in the sleep condition known as shift work disorder, which is considered a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, as it throws off people’s sleep patterns …
Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a type of parasomnia whose symptoms are exactly what you might expect. EHS is characterized by an imaginary loud bang that is experienced right before falling asleep, and can sound like an explosion. It can also occur during a sudden awakening in the middle of the night. EHS is often …
Sleep paralysis is a broad term used to encompass a variety of symptoms, but it is most commonly used to describe the experience of full or partial body paralysis while waking up or drifting into sleep. In some cases, sleep paralysis can also cause hallucinations, a sense of fear and dread, and a crushing or …
Bed-wetting can often result in soaked sheets and pajamas, in addition to being a genuinely embarrassing condition for your child. It shouldn’t be something to be overly concerned about before the age of 7, as your child may still be developing his/her overnight bladder control. However, after that age bed-wetting may become an ongoing issue. …
Medically known as somniloquy, sleep talking is a sleep disorder that is characterized by talking during sleep without being consciously aware of what you are saying. What is said varies from person to person, and can range from lengthy monologues to staccato phrases. Fortunately, this sleep disorder is rare and short-lived for many, and often …
One of the most pervasive sleep disorders, narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that is characterized by the incapacity to regulate the cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Narcolepsy causes sufferers to fall asleep uncontrollably during the day, negatively impacting daily life. The cause of narcolepsy is not yet known; it is speculated that the disorder is …
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Cancer: What’s the Risk? Medically known as sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes snoring, fatigue, and dissatisfying sleep. It is estimated to affect 28 million people in the United States alone, and is often left untreated because people are not aware that they have …
