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The Center is equipped to diagnose and treat any sleep disorder or
sleep-related symptom. Some of the more common problems the Center
deals with are listed below.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is a common problem that causes loud snoring and excessive daytime
sleepiness. People with this problem stop breathing during sleep. These
breathing pauses are called apneas and are almost always accompanied by
snoring , although not everyone who snores has this condition. People
with sleep apnea may wake up choking or gasping for breath or wake
themselves up with their snoring. Sleep apnea disrupts sleep and can
cause early morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness. Early
recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it may be
associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack,
and stroke. See The National Institutes of Health Sleep Disorder Center
website for more detailed information about sleep apnea:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a frequent complaint with potentially
sever consequences including impaired job performance, automobile
accidents, and a reduced ability to enjoy the pleasures of life.
Although often thought to be caused by overwork or psychological
problems, daytime sleepiness can be a symptom of an several different
medical disorders. Recent research has enabled us to find the cause of
nearly all cases of excessive daytime sleepiness and begin treatment
which can dramatically improve the quality of life. See The National
Institutes of Health Sleep Disorder Center website for more detailed
information about excessive daytime sleepiness: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/pslp_fs.htm
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a disease that causes people to have excessive and
overwhelming daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy may have
recurrent attacks of this during the day. For a detailed description of
narcolepsy including its diagnosis and treatment go the National
Institutes of Health Sleep Disorders Center website Facts about
Narcolepsy: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/narcolep.htm
Periodic Limb Movements with Arousal and Restless Legs
Syndrome
This is a disease in which people repeatedly jerk their legs or arms
during sleep and wake themselves up. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a
disorder in which a person experiences unpleasant sensations in the
legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful.
Both conditions can be treated. For more information on these
conditions see the National Institutes of Health Sleep Disorders Center
website: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/rls.htm
Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. This can
lead to difficulty thinking, concentrating and to poor daytime
performance. There are many causes of insomnia most of which can be
treated. For a complete discussion of insomnia see the National
Institutes of Health Sleep Center website: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/insomina.htm
Irregular Sleep-Wake Schedules
Jet lag and night or rotating shift work cause changes in the body's
circadian rhythms and can lead to irritability, daytime sleepiness and
depression. The Sleep Disorders Center can offer you help in coping
with this disruptive problem. Sleepwalking and Related Symptoms
Walking, moving, talking, screaming, and other behaviors in sleep are
frightening and may lead to injuries. For example sleepwalking presents
a danger of accidental injury and, furthermore, can be a sign of
medical illness or psychological stress. Effective therapies are now
available for most of these conditions.
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