Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing becomes irregular during sleep. In some cases, breathing stops completely.
Symptoms include:
- loud snoring
- snorting
- gasping for breath
- waking up and feeling restless
Sleep apnea can cause:
- daytime sleepiness
- impaired alertness and mental capacity
- personality changes
- morning headaches
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a medical evaluation and a test in the Sleep Disorders Center.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Staying awake during the day is difficult is you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. This condition is often accompanied by decreased mental performance in school or work, as well as memory and concentration problems.
Insomnia You may have trouble falling asleep or you may wake up frequently during normal sleep times.
Insomnia is caused by:
- poor sleep habits
- stress
- excessive use of alcohol or drugs
- sleeping pills
- shift work
Treatment depends on the cause.
Abnormal Sleep / Wake Rhythms Sleeping and waking are run by an internal biological clock. Shift work, "jet lag" or a poor sleep schedule can disrupt your normal sleep/wake cycle. This disorder can lead to insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness.