The amount of sleep needed each night varies among people. Each person needs
a particular amount of sleep in order to be fully alert throughout the day.
Research has shown that when healthy adults are allowed to sleep unrestricted,
the average time slept is 8 to 8.5 hours. Some people need more than that to
avoid problem sleepiness; others need less.
If a person does not get enough sleep, even on one night, a "sleep debt"
begins to build and increases until enough sleep is obtained. Problem sleepiness
occurs as the debt accumulates. Many people do not get enough sleep during the
work week and then sleep longer on the weekends or days off to reduce their
sleep debt. If too much sleep has been lost, sleeping in on the weekend may not
completely reverse the effects of not getting enough sleep during the week.
Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy,
restless legs syndrome, and insomnia can cause problem sleepiness. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which a person's
breathing is interrupted during sleep, causing the
individual to awaken many times during the night and experience problem
sleepiness during the day. People with narcolepsy have excessive
sleepiness during the day, even after sleeping enough at night. They may fall
asleep at inappropriate times and places. Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
causes a person to experience unpleasant sensations in the legs, often described
as creeping, crawling, pulling, or painful. These sensations frequently occur in
the evening, making it difficult for people with RLS to fall asleep, leading to
problem sleepiness during the day. Insomnia is the perception of
poor-quality sleep due to difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night
with difficulty returning to sleep, waking up too early in the morning, or
unrefreshing sleep. Any of these sleep disorders can cause problem sleepiness.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS or restless legs syndrome) is a common cause for painful legs that typically eases with motion, and becomes worse and more noticeable at rest. This characteristic nighttime worsening can frequently lead to insomnia. Treatment of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome is generally with medication as well as treating any underlying condition causing restless leg syndrome.
Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA), and a mixture of central and obstructive apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to activate the muscles of breathing during sleep. OSA is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep. OSA is diagnosed and evaluated through patient history, physical examination and polysomnography. There are many complications related to obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments are surgical and non-surgical.
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. Not getting enough sleep can hurt memory performance, health, and your mood.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are medications, psychological conditions, environmental changes and stressful events. Treatments may include non-drug treatments, over-the-counter medicines, and/or prescription medications.
Narcolepsy, a chronic disease of the central nervous system causes have not been fully determined. Some theories include abnormalities in hypocretin neurons in the brain or an autoimmune disorder. Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, disturbed nocturnal sleep, and automatic behavior. Diagnosis of narcolepsy is based on a clinical evaluation, specific questionnaires, sleep logs or diaries, and the results of sleep laboratory tests. Treatments of narcolepsy symptoms include medication and lifestyle changes.
Sleepwalking is a condition in which an individual walks or does other activities while asleep. Factors associated with sleepwalking include genetic, environmental, and physiological. Episodes of sleepwalking may include quiet walking to agitated running. Conditions that may have similar symptoms of sleepwalking, but are not include night terrors, confusional arousals, and nocturnal seizures. Treatment of sleepwalking generally include preventative measures. Medication may be prescribed if necessary.
Hypersomnia is a condition where a person has excessive daytime sleepiness and trouble staying awake during the day. Treatment for hypersomnia includes medication, CPAP machines, and lifestyle changes.
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a sleep disorder characterized by rhythmic movements of the limbs during sleep. The movements typically involve the legs, but upper extremity movements may also occur. Movements occur periodically throughout the night and can fluctuate in severity from one night to the next. They tend to cluster in episodes that last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. These movements are very different from the normal spasms, called hypnic myoclonia, that we often experience initially while trying to fall asleep.
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.
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