Sleep Disorder Definitions

  • Insomnia, the most common of all sleep disorders is described as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, and effects both children and adults. There are two main types of insomnia- short-term insomnia and chronic insomnia. It can be caused by changes in hormones such as during pregnancy and menopause, or by poor sleep habits. Changing some of these habits such as avoiding caffeine, especially after 6 PM, or by not exercising too close to bedtime can improve the insomnia. Many people who practice mediation or light stretching exercises before bedtime are able to put their mind at ease and easily drift off to sleep and stay asleep.

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, called apneas, happen when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, causing the person to briefly stop breathing. OSA can cause loud snoring, choking or gasping sounds during sleep, restless tossing and turning and can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

  • Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder in which the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This means that there is no effort to breathe for brief periods of time during sleep. Unlike Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is caused by a physical blockage of the airway, CSA is caused by a problem with the brain’s ability to control breathing.

  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs, typically accompanied by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs. These sensations, which can include itching, tingling, burning or aching, typically occur at night and can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. The severity of RLS symptoms can vary from person to person, and can range from occasional discomfort to severe, debilitating pain.

  • Periodic Limb Movement of sleep (PLMs) is a sleep disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements of the legs during sleep. These movements, which can include jerking or flexing of the legs can cause disruptions in sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

  • Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and a tendency to fall asleep suddenly and at inappropriate times. People with narcolepsy also may experience other symptoms such as cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone, often triggered by strong emotions), sleep paralysis (an inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up), and hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid, dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or waking up). The exact cause of narcolepsy is not known, but it is thought to be related to a deficiency of a brain chemical called hypocretin, which regulates sleep and wakefulness. Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and can be treated with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Definitions

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a safe, effective, and common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It delivers continuous pressurized room air that keeps the airway open while you sleep. The air pressure is delivered through a nasal interface that attaches to a flexible tube that connects to the CPAP device. By preventing the airway from collapsing, you breath normally all night long, and continue receiving oxygen, so vital to your health and optimal functioning.

  • A bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP or BPAP) machine normalizes breathing by delivering pressurized air into the upper airway that leads to the lungs. Its bilevel design means that a BiPAP device provides two different levels of air pressure: one for breathing in (inspiratory) and one for breathing out (expiratory), often making it more comfortable for the user, especially when higher pressures are needed to keep the airway open.

  • Intermittent Negative Airway Pressure is a new type of therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It uses a small oral interface that attaches to a narrow tube that delivers negative pressure into the oral cavity and bring the tissues in the airway forward and away from blocking the air passages. The device is the size of your cellphone and is effective for patients with all severities of OSA.

  • “No mask, no hose, just sleep.” You may have heard these commercials on TV or on the radio. Inspire is an implantable device, like a pacemaker, that sends a signal to move your tongue away from blocking the airway while you sleep, thereby preventing the apnea from occurring. Not everyone who is diagnosed with sleep apnea is a candidate for this treatment. At PSC, we screen patients to determine if someone is an appropriate candidate for Inspire.