Sleep Related Disorders Archives - Healthhype

Pineal Gland Anatomy (Parts), Function and Pinealoma (Tumor)

Dr. Chris — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:05:43 +0000

The pineal gland does not receive much attention in medicine because there are no significant diseases or lesions that solely affect it apart from tumors. Even then, a pineal tumor referred to as a pineoloma is a rare occurrence in comparison to diseases affecting surrounding tissues and glands. For as long as the pineal gland was known to have existed, there has been much debate about its function with some ascribing it to being the “seat of the soul” which earned the pineal gland the term of “third eye”. However, the pineal gland is now well understood and its functions in humans and other animals have been ascertained. What is the pineal gland? The pineal gland is a minute gland located at the base of the brain. It lies between two areas known as the superior colliculi (singular ~ colliculus) which is an essential visual center in the brain. Like any other endocrine gland in the body, the pineal gland secretes a hormone in response to certain stimuli. In the pineal gland, this is the hormone melatonin and the stimuli appears to be darkness. Anatomy of the Pineal Gland The pineal gland is a composed of specialized epithelial-like cells known [...]

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Sleep Deprivation Effects and Symptoms

Dr. Chris — Mon, 26 May 2014 00:39:24 +0000

Sleep deprivation is a relatively common problem yet many people are not familiar with it. Most of us think of interrogation techniques and other serious medical problems where a person has not slept for days when we hear the term sleep deprivation. But missing even one night’s sleep can have a host of effects on the body. In fact these effects due to a lack of sleep has been cited among the most common causes of road traffic accidents across the globe. But it is impacting on many people everyday, even off the road, and contributes to work, family and health problems. How much sleep is enough? You may feel that you can manage well on just 4 to 5 hours of sleep but this is actually too little sleep for your body. The average adult requires about 7 to 9 hours and young children may need to sleep even longer. You could probably cope well on as little as 6 hours of sleep but it is not sufficient in the long run. The daily quantity of sleep is so significant that long term insomnia has been linked to an increased risk of depression, strokes, hypertension and other medical ailments. [...]

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What are Night Terrors and Nightmares?

Dr. Chris — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:12:10 +0000

Night terrors (sleep terror or pavor nocturnus) are a sleep disorder characterized by sudden crying, screaming, sweating, apparent fear and hysteria while asleep. A person experiencing a night terror is not awake and may often go back to sleep without recollecting the events. However a sufferer may awaken and continue to display the symptoms of a night terror for a few minutes after waking. Night terrors often occur in the non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep. A night terror differs from a nightmare and can affect any age group (infants, toddlers, young children, teens and adults) although it is more common in children under 5 years of age. Nightmares are scary and disturbing dreams or ‘bad dreams’ that may induce symptoms similar to night terrors. Many sufferers can recall the nightmare and are aware that they had a nightmare upon waking. A nightmare occurs during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep or ‘deep sleep’ and will usually end immediately upon waking. Parasomnia : Night Terror (Sleep Terror/Pavor Nocturnus) Disorder Night terrors or sleep terrors are disorders categorized as a parasomnia. Usually in sleep, the body’s ‘sleep chemicals’ cause muscle atonia meaning that the body cannot move or act [...]

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Restless Leg Syndrome (Constant Urge to Move Legs)

Dr. Chris — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:09:48 +0000

Moving the position of your legs is a normal habit when one is sitting for long periods, or even when standing. In fact it helps with blood circulation in the legs and feet when stationary or we may find that our legs ‘fall asleep’ so to speak. However, there is certain disorders where leg movements are considered uncharacteristic and abnormal. It can reach a point where it affects normal sleeping patterns and negatively impact on a person’s life. What is restless leg syndrome? Restless leg syndrome, often simply referred to as RLS, is a condition where a person finds it difficult to not move their legs when sitting or lying down. In other words, a person with RLS has to move their legs or they experience an uncomfortable sensation in the legs. This prompts a person to stand up, move around or just change position and sometimes kick around during sleep. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a type of nerve disorder associated with muscle movement and since it persists during sleep, often disturbing normal sleep patterns, it is also known as a parasomnia. Restless leg syndrome affects up to 15% of Americans. It is not a life threatening condition but [...]

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Treatment & Management of Leg Cramps at Night

Dr. Chris — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:31:34 +0000

Treatment of Leg & Foot Cramps Treatment should be directed at the possible causes of leg cramps at night if it is suspected that the condition is occurring as a symptom of one of the causes or risk factors. However, nocturnal leg cramps as a parasomnia disorder is not treatable and the exact cause is unknown therefore the focus should be on management of the condition. Some important points should be noted in the treatment of secondary causes of night leg cramps. Drugs should not be discontinued without the supervision and approval of your medical practitioner. Many drugs that may cause leg cramps are used to treat chronic conditions which could prove fatal or lead to debilitating complications if left untreated. Dehydration or causes of dehydration like diarrhea should be treated with electrolyte rich fluids rather than just water. This will assist with greater absorption of fluids as well as reducing the symptoms of dehydration (like leg cramps) rather than further aggravating the diarrhea. Anemia affects many menstruating women and is not just a matter of suitable iron supplementation. Malabsorption syndromes in menstruating women means that their gut does not absorb iron effectively. A vitamin C supplement used along with [...]

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What is Nocturnal Leg Cramping? Leg Cramps at Night

Dr. Chris — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:31:48 +0000

Nocturnal leg cramps are the painful cramping of muscles, usually the calf muscles, which commonly occurs during sleep. In some cases, night leg cramps may occur while the sufferer is in bed and between the sleep-wake stage. Nocturnal leg cramps are considered to be one of the parasomnia disorders that affect a person’s body functions when asleep. Leg Cramps at Night while Sleeping Muscle movement is triggered by electrical impulses sent through the nerves from the brain. These electrical impulses trigger a complex chemical exchange of electrolytes and trace elements that allow the muscle fibrils (minute elongated rods that make up the muscle fibers) to move together (muscle contraction). Usually in muscle movement, muscles contract and relax but in cramping, a portion of the muscle or entire muscle remains contracted. This muscle spasm can be felt at points in the muscle (trigger points) or the entire muscle feels hard and stiff. Night leg cramping is seen predominantly in older women, during pregnancy and menopause or those suffering with peripheral vascular disease. However it can affect both genders of any age and any health status and the exact cause of leg cramps at night is unknown. The severity of these night [...]

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Sleep Behavior Disorder – Types of NREM & REM Parasomnia

Dr. Chris — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:40:57 +0000

Parasomnia is a category of sleep related / sleep behavior disorders characterized by disturbance of sleep. Parasomnias usually involve sleep experiences that affect physical or verbal behavior. Parasomnia sleep behavior disorders may involve any abnormal movement, behavior, emotion, perception and dream (nightmares) during sleep. Parasomnia can occur in any stage of sleep or the transition between sleep-wake stage. NREM & REM Sleep Stages The experience of sleep can be divided into two phases – NREM (Non Rapid Eye Movement) or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Parasomnia disorders can occur in either of these two phases. NREM sleep is the transition phase, from wakefulness to ‘deep sleep’ and then into the dream stages of sleep (REM sleep). NREM sleep and has 4 distinct stages known as stage 1 to stage 4. and is then followed REM sleep which is the period during which dreams and nightmares may occur. A natural sleep cycle consists of many episodes of NREM sleep followed my REM sleep in a single night’s sleep. Types of Sleep Behavior Disorders – NREM & REM Parasomnias Parasomnias include a wide range of sleep related behavior occurring at different stages of NREM and REM sleep. Night terror disorder (sleep terrors [...]

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Risk Factors & Causes of Severe Leg Cramps at Night

Dr. Chris — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:11:46 +0000

The exact cause of nocturnal leg cramps is unknown (idiopathic). However certain individuals with chronic conditions may be at risk of leg cramps at night. Nocturnal leg cramps are more common in older persons, especially women, and primarily affects the calf muscles and small muscles of the feet. Leg cramps may occur as a symptom, side effect or complication to a multitude of secondary causes. Hormonal causes seen in pregnancy and menopause, hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid hormone is responsible for calcium regulation), hypothyriodism or secondary hyopcalcemia seen in hyperthyriodism. Most possible hormonal causes of leg cramps may not be directly related to the process of nocturnal cramps but rather contribute to it indirectly due to calcium absorption and utilization. Drugs especially cholesterol lowering agents (statins) and diuretics which contributes to the loss of water and electrolytes. Certain diabetic drugs, anti-hypertensive medication, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy may also contribute to leg cramps at night. Dehydration – loss of water and electrolytes (electrolyte imbalance) is known to contribute to muscle spasm. Overexertion and muscle fatigue. Changes of the gait (posture when standing and walking) and limping may strain muscles of the leg resulting in leg cramps. Inactivity and a lack of [...]

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Causes & Treatment of Night Terrors (Pavor Nocturnus)

Dr. Chris — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:18:50 +0000

Causes of Night Terrors (Sleep Terror) Night terrors are a sleep disorder categorized as parasomnia, affecting non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. There are no definitive causes of a night terror although some contributing factors may be responsible for night terrors. Teething in children (infants, babies, toddlers) Fevers Pain or discomfort Abuse, trauma or stress (physical, emotional, verbal or sexual) Overexertion and extreme fatigue Prolonged sleeplessness, persistent insomnia or sleep deprivation. Drugs / medication acting on the central nervous system (CNS) like benzodiazepines and barbituates. Use of narcotic drugs and alcohol abuse. Drug or alcohol withdrawal may also be a cause of night terrors. Family history may be a predisposing factor. Treatment & Management of Night Terrors (Sleep Terror) There is no clearly established therapeutic protocol for the treatment of night children. Treatment should be targeted at possible causes and contributing factors. Establishing a proper sleep routine may be useful especially in children experiencing night terrors. Avoid factors that may disturb sleep especially in the initial stages of sleep. Certain classes of antidepressants may provide temporary relief for night terrors. Antidepressants for the treatment of night terrors should be prescribed by a medical doctor after careful assessment and investigation of the [...]

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Night Terrors in Young Children – Baby, Infant, Toddlers

Dr. Chris — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:07:06 +0000

Night terrors or sleep terrors occur more frequently in children (babies, infants and toddlers) although it can affect any age group. Night terrors more often affect children under the age of 5 years of age often peaking at the 3 year age bracket. A young child experiencing a night terror may ‘awaken’ screaming, crying and hysterical and may need to be consoled before falling asleep. Unlike nightmares, children experiencing a night terror do not remember the experience and may go back to sleep immediately after experiencing a night terror. Childhood Night Terrors Night terrors are a sleep disorder that affects the early stages of sleep or non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This usually occurs within the first 2 hours of sleep before the child enters the ‘dream stage’ of sleep or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Night terrors can be distressing for parents as the child may become agitated, appearing emotionally troubled and usually results in screaming, hysteria, sweating and restlessness which may last only a few minutes. Attempting to interrupt the night terror experience in children can cause the child to ‘awaken’ in an anxious, scared and hysterical state. Related Articles What are Night Terrors & Nightmares? Causes & [...]

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