The Nocturnal Brain by Guy Leschziner For Dr. Guy Leschziner’s patients, there is no rest for the weary in mind and body. Insomnia, narcolepsy, night terrors, apnea, and sleepwalking are just a sampling of conditions afflicting those who cannot sleep―and
Sleep Disorders Australia (SDA) is a voluntary not-for-profit health promotion charity that advocates for the needs of people with sleep disorders and raises awareness of sleep disorders and the significance they can have on the lives of those affected by
Whether a professional athlete or a person with a day-to-day job, sleep disorders can affect you. Learning the signs and symptoms of different conditions can help detect undiagnosed sleep disorders. Josh Andrews, a professional football player in the National Football
From competing as an elite athlete to becoming Executive Director of Uplifting Athletes, Rob Long has had an incredible journey, granting him insight into rare diseases and their treatments. As captain for the Syracuse University football team, it looked like
Spasms, starts, jerks, jolts: there are many names for the sensation of “catching yourself ” when falling asleep. This could be a sleep start or hypnic jerk. It is a very normal response as we prepare to sleep. However, in
The self-completed International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS) identifies the severity of RLS from mild to very severe. This scale is also used to assess treatment outcomes and to determine if RLS gets worse over time. The
Sleep-Related Movement Disorders (SRMD) can occur across the lifespan. However, the prevalence of some sleep-related movement disorders is greater during childhood and then decreases as an individual ages, whereas the prevalence of other sleep-related movement disorders increases with age. The
Many parents describe their child’s sleep as restless. Their child might toss and turn throughout the night, end up facing a different direction by morning, or even fall out of the bed. Some parents describe their child as a “windmill”
Pediatric sleep issues affect millions of children to varying degrees. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, between 25% to 50% of preschool-age children have sleep-related problems. It is also estimated that 40% of adolescents also have sleep problems. Some
Has your bed partner ever told you that you move suddenly or kick during sleep? Or have you woken up during sleep unsure of what roused you? You may be experiencing periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). According to the Cleveland
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder that usually presents with symptoms prior to sleep onset. Difficulty falling asleep, due to leg discomfort, is therefore a common presentation. There are five distinct criteria for the diagnosis of RLS; however,
One of the most common sleep movement disorders explained. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor neurologic disorder with a profound impact on sleep. The difficult-to-describe sensations (sensory) and urge to move (motor) occur most often during rest or inactivity,
I grind my teeth during sleep. Why do I do this? How can I prevent it? What is Sleep Bruxism? Many people grind their teeth during sleep—another term for which is sleep bruxism. For most people, it is not considered
Most people move a little when trying to fall asleep or change positions during the night. But sleep-related movements disorders do not involve typical shifts like tossing and turning during sleep. Instead, sleep-related movement disorders involve abnormal movements that interfere
Going to the doctor can be daunting, but have you ever gone to the doctor and tried to fall asleep? If you or your family member ever need a sleep study, that’s exactly what you will do. Doctors order sleep
Narcolepsy is a life-long sleep disorder that affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. With a prevalence of approximately 1 in 2000 individuals, a speedy diagnosis is typically rare. Oftentimes, individuals with narcolepsy also have other co-occurring medical conditions
Dr. Luis Ortiz always knew he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up – it was only a matter of getting into school and picking a field. He thought maybe surgery – picturing his future self working long
Excessive and persistent sleepiness is a hallmark of a group of sleep disorders known as central disorders of hypersomnolence, which include narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that interferes with the ability to control the sleep/wake
Getting enough sleep? Millions of people suffer from chronic sleep-wake disorders that make them struggle to get through the day. Many others burn the candle at both ends to juggle work and family and play, but with the effect of
You walk into your doctor’s office and walk out with a diagnosis of narcolepsy. What does that mean? Where do you go next? What does treatment look like for you? Dr. Michael Thorpy, MD is director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center,
Most of us have had an occasional morning when we wake up thinking, “Just five more minutes. Please just let me sleep five more minutes.” We likely nonetheless drag ourselves out of bed and face the day in a groggy
Mindfulness is bringing your full attention and awareness to the present moment…then just watching each moment unfold without trying to control it. Regular Mindfulness Benefits Mindfulness is usually practiced during meditations, which can be a quiet meditation such as breathing
Paul Glovinsky, PhD has been working in the field of sleep medicine for more than 35 years. His study began in 1979 when he met Arthur Spielman, PhD, one of the founders of behavioral sleep medicine. Active on Dr. Glovinsky’s dissertation committee, their
Sleep. We all know it is important. Sleep is when your body heals itself, both mentally and physically. Getting adequate sleep is linked to better mood, memory, and immune function, while poor quality sleep is associated with higher body weight
Below are some questions that a doctor might ask to help determine whether you are at risk for insomnia. If these issues concern you, contact your primary care physician. Please remember that insomnia is treatable. I often have difficulty falling asleep.
At 5:00 am sharp, my daughter’s eyes fly open. After just six hours of sleep, she’s bouncing with energy, eager to start her day. Meanwhile, her non-identical twin brother burrows deeper into his blankets – he won’t emerge happily
What to understand about the gold standard in insomnia treatment. If you are experiencing insomnia—or finding it difficult to fall asleep several times per week, you may be told by your healthcare provider about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
Views on insomnia and “trouble sleeping” have undoubtedly changed throughout the past few decades. As it became more culturally acceptable to talk about insomnia, treatments began being requested. Three World Sleep Society sleep experts have watched the field grow, expand
Differentiating the usual from the unusual. All parents are familiar with the stress of trying to get kids to sleep—as well as the worry that comes when that sleep isn’t sound. Children often experience more sleep disturbances than adults, but
When is there cause for concern? Believe it or not, sleepwalking and excessive nightmares are related—and both could potentially require a visit to the doctor. Learn more about these common sleep disorders, and when to seek treatment. What is sleepwalking?According
A college student watching his father deal with nightmares due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) created a smartwatch app that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Using his father as the test subject, Tyler Skluzacek
What is a sleep disorder? Simply put, a sleep disorder is a problem or condition that results in lack of quality sleep. Lacking quality sleep impacts daytime function and a myriad of physical and mental elements. Sleep is a basic
Hypoventilation & hypoxemia. HYPOVENTILATIONVentilation is the process of breathing air in and out. In this process, carbon dioxide is exhaled from the lungs and oxygen enters the blood stream after inspiration of air into our lungs. We ventilate air during
One doctor’s quest to help families rest. Before Dr. Beth Ann Malow attained her distinguished roles at Vanderbilt University as the Chief of their Division of Sleep Disorders, as well as the Burry Chair of Cognitive Child Development, she was
It could be REM sleep behavior disorder… Thrashing against imaginary intruders? Calling out while dreaming? Sometimes these nocturnal outbursts bother a bedmate more than the wild sleeper. However, even if you sleep alone, it might be worth asking your doctor
Recently, I was a member of a group of international sleep researchers who developed consensus diagnostic criteria detailing a new sleep disorder in children called Restless Sleep Disorder or RSD. With this new discovery, we intend to improve clinical practice
What everyone should know about this common sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is a pervasive, potentially dangerous disorder that deserves wider public awareness and understanding. An estimated 80% of moderate to severe cases go undiagnosed, and this sleep disorder can wreak
Snoring is extremely common—one of the most common presenting symptoms to a sleep clinic. I had the good fortune to work with Professor Colin Sullivan, a pioneer of the sleep field and inventor of CPAP for the treatment of obstructive
Understand the rates, risks and treatments for your little one. All around the world, parents worry about their children’s health. And while there is plenty of talk around how much sleep children should get, there is not always talk about
The symbiotic relationship you need to know about Twenty years ago, you would be hard pressed to find data on sleep apnea’s connection to stroke. Even ten years ago it may have been difficult to find supporting data to clarify
Insomnia is a sleep disorder we cannot afford to trivialize. The National Sleep Foundation states around 1 in 3 people has at least mild insomnia. World renowned insomnia researcher, Charles Morin, PhD of Canada, puts the prevalence of chronic insomnia