Common Sleep Disorders
Sleep Disorders Center
Lahey Medical Center, Peabody
One Essex Center Drive
Peabody, MA 01960
978.538.4000
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea is defined as the "inability to breathe properly
during sleep". Obstructive sleep apnea is most commonly
caused by a collapse of the airway preventing air from passing into
the lungs. Enlarged tonsils, adenoids or fatty tissue in the
throat may cause a blockage or narrowing of the breathing
passage. Loud snoring, choking or gasping for breath during
sleep, high blood pressure and excessive sleepiness are all
characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea.
NARCOLEPSY
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder manifested by periods of
extreme sleepiness (sleep attacks), often beginning in young
adulthood. Terrifying nightmares and hallucinations are
symptoms of narcolepsy, which usually occur upon falling asleep and
may be accompanied by sleep paralysis. A person with
narcolepsy falls asleep regardless of the activity around them.
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME (RLS) AND PERIODIC LIMB MOVEMENT
DISORDER (PLMD)
RLS and PLMD are disorders involving frequent leg movements and
leg jerks during sleep which awaken the individual. These
events might occur hundreds of times at night and prevent quality
sleep. As a result, a person might experience insomnia or
excessive daytime sleepiness.
INSOMNIA
Difficulty initiating sleep or maintaining sleep (DIMS) are
characteristics of insomnia resulting from a variety of
disorders. Illness, alcohol or drug abuse, and consistent use
of sleeping medications can cause insomnia. In years past, it
was thought that 90 percent of insomnia was caused by psychological
problems. It is now estimated, however, that about 40 to 50
percent of insomnia is related to underlying physical
disorders. Infants and children may not sleep
throughout the night, or resist going to bed. Basic
behavioral techniques often are helpful.
PARASOMNIA
Parasomnia is comprised of a group of disorders occurring during
sleep, which may be disturbing to patients or to others around
them. The most common parasomnias include frightening
nightmares, bedwetting, sleepwalking and night terrors.
