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Sleep disorder

A sleep disorder is a disorder in the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders can interfere with mental and emotional function, due to their interference with REM sleep.

The most common sleep disorders include:

  • Bruxism: The sufferer involentarily grinds his or her teeth while sleeping
  • Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS): a sleep disorder of circadian rhythm
  • Insomnia: Inability to fall asleep at will or at normal times
  • Jet lag or desynchronosis: Temporary condition resulting in out of sync sleep patterns as a result of rapidly travelling across multiple time zones
  • Narcolepsy: The condition of falling asleep spontaneously and unwillfully
  • Night terror or Pavor nocturnus or sleep terror disorder: abrupt awakening from sleep with behavior consistent with terror
  • Parasomnias: Include a variety of disruptive sleep-related events
  • Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): Involuntary movement of arms and/or legs during sleep
  • Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD): Acting out violent or dramatic dreams while in REM sleep
  • Restless leg syndrome (RLS): An irresistible urge to move legs while sleeping. Often accompanies PLMD.
  • Sleep apnea: The obstruction of the airway during sleep
  • Sleep paralysis: Conscious paralysis upon waking or falling asleep
  • Sleepwalking or somnambulism: Engaging in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness (such as eating or dressing), which may include walking, without the conscious knowledge of the subject
  • Snoring: Loud breathing patterns while sleeping, sometimes accompanying sleep apnea

Changes in life style, such as shift work change (SWC), can contribute to sleep disorders.

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