Sleep Conditions

Most people spend about one-third of their lives asleep. That is about seven or eight hours per night. Almost everyone has experienced temporary sleep problems caused by stress, physical conditions or other factors. Without adequate sleep, people feel less alert and energetic. Lack of sleep can even affect mental and social functioning.

People sometimes develop sleep disorders—unexplained problems with sleep that last over a significant period of time. Such disorders can have a significant impact on quality of life or a person’s health. Some of the most common sleep disorders include the following.

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Insomnia is when someone has difficulty initiating sleep.

• Narcolepsy—This specific diagnosis may be made when Excessive Daytime Sleepiness symptoms also include cataplexy, hallucinations and premature REM states.

• Nightmares and Night Terrors

• Restless Legs Syndrome—This diagnosis can include discomfort of the legs and leg movements during the sleep period, documented by the PSG.

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder—This diagnosis may be made when a PSG records very similar leg movements that repeat with a periodic interval.

• Sleep apnea is when airflow to and from the lungs decreases or stops.

• Sleepwalking

The Sleep Center at the Heart Lung Vascular Institute offers medical evaluation to patients who are concerned about their sleep. Some sleep disorders are hard to diagnose, having multiple causes. Doctors at the Sleep Center evaluate and order specific tests for individual circumstances, avoiding unnecessary delays and costs. Evaluation and treatment are available for sleep-related disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome.

For more information, call the Sleep Center at 865.305.8761.